Reginald Turner is by all accounts, a man of enormous credibility who is true to his calling — the practice of law as public service. He’s got position, prestige and national prominence. A Fellow of the American Bar Foundation, an honor reserved for less than one percent of lawyers in each state, Turner was listed in the peer review guide, The Best Lawyers in America and Super Lawyers®.
Even better, Turner is a man who is Michigan made. A graduate of Cass Tech, Wayne State and the University of Michigan Law School, Turner clerked for former Mayor Dennis Archer (pre-Manoogian Mansion). Following a year in Washington, D.C., as a White House Fellow in the Clinton administration, Turner joined the Clark Hill law firm where he is a noted labor and employment attorney and advocate for clients on public policy matters. The barrister is also a past president of the National Bar Association. Tuner recently completed a term as the 68th president of the Michigan State Bar. -roz edward
On following the call …
I knew I had chosen the right profession when I was a wide-eyed first-year student at Michigan Law School. It was there that I first met then-Michigan State Bar President Dennis Archer. Of course I had heard of him, and I even had vague knowledge of the function of the bar association. The two converged in this articulate, nattily attired barrister. President Archer spoke in quiet, thoughtful tones of professionalism, diligence, duty, service and honor. He answered our questions with patience and candor. In response to one of mine, which expressed bewilderment regarding the route to success in practice, he replied that the most important influence on my career would be my adherence — in the real world — to the values he described. He was right. The most respected lawyers distinguish themselves by breathing life into the Lawyer’s Oath. In it, we pledge to support the constitutions of our nation and our states, to be diligent in representing our clients, to practice law with integrity and civility, and to engage in pro bono work to help the defenseless and oppressed. My aspirations to fulfill my oath have helped me become a better lawyer and a better person through service to the profession and the public.
Keys to business success…
Always be the best prepared person in the room, whether for court, a business meeting, a television appearance or a reception. Strive to return phone calls and emails on the same day, especially for clients. Keep faith, family and physical fitness as values to live by.
Championship moment …
I experienced the greatest exhilaration of my career when the U.S. Supreme Court announced its decisions in the University of Michigan affirmative action cases, Gratz v. Bollinger and Grutter v. Bollinger. I worked on these cases for six years as part of a team of lawyers from the National Bar Association, the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, the ACLU and the Mexican American Legal Defense Fund. The Court’s recognition that racial and ethnic diversity is a compelling governmental interest creates opportunies for millions of students of color that would not otherwise exist.
What does it mean to be powerful and influential?
I will let you know when it happens. In any event, one should use power and influence to create constructive opportunities for oneself and others in business, as well as in civic and charitable activities.
I will let you know when it happens.
