The Michigan State Bar Foundation has announced its 2024 award recipients. Reginald M. Turner, member emeritus at Clark Hill in Detroit, will receive the Founders Award recognizing a lawyer who exemplifies professional excellence and outstanding commitment to serving the community. Wendy W. Richards, principal and pro bono counsel at Miller Canfield in Detroit, will receive the Access to Justice Award honoring an individual who significantly advances access to justice for low-income individuals in the state.

“The Michigan State Bar Foundation is pleased to recognize the contributions and commitments of these remarkable professionals,” MSBF President Craig Lubben said.

FOUNDERS AWARD

Reginald M. “Reggie” Turner is an accomplished litigator and government affairs advocate with an impressive career spanning over 30 years, and he has consistently exemplified professional excellence and outstanding contributions to the community. Passionate about access to justice and diversity and inclusion, Turner — who once described himself as a “serial volunteer” — has an extensive list of civic, community, and cultural involvement.

Turner served as president of the American Bar Association in 2021- 2022 and president of the State Bar of Michigan in 2002-2003. A White House fellow under former President Bill Clinton, Turner represented Mayor Dennis Archer on the Detroit Board of Education from 2000-2003. In 2003, Gov. Jennifer Granholm appointed Turner to the Michigan State Board of Education, and he won a state election for a full term in 2006. Turner also served on several boards including Comerica Bank, the Hudson-Webber Foundation, the Detroit Institute of Arts, and the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan. He is a fellow of the Michigan State Bar Foundation and the American Bar Foundation and has provided leadership to the development of the Access to Justice Campaign.

ACCESS TO JUSTICE AWARD

Wendy W. Richards has significantly advanced access to justice through her skilled advocacy efforts and work in her role as Miller Canfield’s pro bono counsel, where she leads the firm’s nationally recognized pro bono program. Her impressive career as a commercial litigator includes working on class action cases and other complex matters.

Richards has led cases involving high-impact immigration litigation matters, community development projects, and entrepreneurship opportunities for individuals living in disadvantaged communities. She also has extensive pro bono experience related to voting rights. Richards is a fellow of the Michigan State Bar Foundation and a member of the Access to Justice Campaign Steering Committee and the Statewide Fundraising Committee.

The Michigan State Bar Foundation is a tax-exempt charitable organization established in 1947. It provides leadership and grants to improve access for all to the justice system including support for civil legal aid to the poor, law-related education, and conflict resolution. The foundation administers the Access to Justice Campaign. More information about the foundation can be found at msbf.org.