About Richard

A Lifetime of Fighting for Change

Richard Bernstein fights and wins. He always has. He always will. He's been counted out his entire life. That's why he's spent his career standing up for people who need a voice - families, seniors, children, veterans, students and those who would otherwise have no representation.

Despite the daily challenge of being blind, Bernstein has been an effective and inspirational force for change.

Bernstein is an accomplished trial attorney at The Sam Bernstein Law Firm in Farmington Hills, where he established and leads its widely respected Public Service Division. His unique legal practice is dedicated to cases that involve both public policy and complex litigation issues. He never charges a fee for his important public service legal work. Bernstein appears frequently in court where he commits entire case files to memory.

From his personal experience, lessons learned, and values practiced at the family law firm, Bernstein has an unwavering commitment to the power of the law in championing the cause of justice. He has an uncompromising sense of "right and wrong". In operation for more than forty years, the firm is among the leading litigation firms in the United States.

"From the time I was a small boy, I knew I would not practice law at a big corporate firm. So I have been committed to my family's tradition of helping clients who have the odds stacked against them."

In 1996, Bernstein received his undergraduate degree with Highest Distinction from the University of Michigan, where he was Phi Beta Kappa, Phi Kappa Phi, and student body president of the College of Literature, Science and Arts. He received the Outstanding Student Award from the Michigan Association of Governing Boards. He received his law degree from Northwestern University School of Law in 1999 and he is licensed to practice law in the State and Federal Courts of Michigan and in the State of New York.

Outside the courtroom and classroom, Bernstein's tireless drive has powered him through twelve marathon finish lines. He is also one of the only blind people in the United States to have finished an Ironman triathalon.

A Community Voice & Record of Public Service

A commitment to public service is a central part of Richard's life. In 2002, at the age of 28, he was the first blind person to win a state-wide election in Michigan to the post of Wayne State University Board of Governors, and he now serves as its Chair. On the Wayne State Board, he fights hard to assure educational quality and to keep tuition affordable for Michigan students and their families. He is also an adjunct professor at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor in the Department of Political Science, teaching "Law and Social Change".

Bernstein has taken his message of community service to the media. He was the creator and host of "Making a Difference" on CBS–Detroit Television, a weekly series featuring individuals and organizations dedicated to community advocacy and service. He has also contributed as an editorial columnist for the Detroit News and the Detroit Free Press.

Awards & Recognition

Bernstein's extraordinary life story, commitment to public service and professional success has been celebrated in Michigan and beyond. Bernstein has been honored as a "Michiganian of the Year" by the Detroit News, one of Crain's Detroit Business' "40 Under 40" and was recognized on worldwide television by CNN as a leader in keeping government honest.

He also is the recipient of the 2008 John W. Cummiskey Pro Bono Award from the State Bar of Michigan and was selected by The Young Lawyers Section of the State Bar of Michigan as the 2003- 2004 Regeana Myrick Outstanding Young Lawyer Award recipient for outstanding commitment to public service. Bernstein was named a 2009 Leader in the Law by Michigan Lawyers Weekly. He is also the recipient of the Activist of the Year Award from the Jewish Community Relations Council of Metropolitan Detroit, the Rick Knas Lifetime Achievement Award from the Michigan Athletes With Disabilities Hall of Fame, the Public Servant of the Year Award from the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, and the Volunteer of the Year Award from the Jewish Home and Aging Services.