Richard Bernstein

Richard Bernstein is a tireless advocate for disabled rights and providing a voice to those who would otherwise be forced to be silent.

Blind since birth, Bernstein is a graduate of the University of Michigan and Northwestern University Law School. He is an attorney with the Law Offices of Sam Bernstein in Farmington Hills.

He is committed to taking action to help clients who need him. He successfully partnered with the United States Department of Justice to force the City of Detroit to fix broken wheelchair lifts on its buses. He also affected change at Detroit Metro Airport to make the airport more accessible for disabled fliers. He also fought the State of Michigan and won to preserve special education funding throughout the state. Most recently, he has represented the Paralyzed Veterans of America in an action against the University of Michigan’s plans for disabled seating in Michigan Stadium and represented disabled residents who sued the Oakland County (Michigan) Road Commission after “roundabout” traffic circles were built without disabled access.

Bernstein is Vice Chair of the Board of Governors at Wayne State University, elected by voters statewide. He servers of the Board of Directors of several not-for-profit organizations. He also teaches a political science course in social activism at the University of Michigan.

He 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.

In his spare time, Bernstein is an avid runner, completing several marathons and currently training for his first triathlon.