DETROIT, MI - Clark Hill member Reginald M. Turner, Jr. was sworn in as president of the National Bar Association (NBA) at the annual meeting on Friday, August 5 in Orlando, Florida. The Honorable Damon J. Keith of the US Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit gave Turner the oath of office.
In his acceptance speech, Turner pledged to be a “tireless, diligent, thoughtful leader, fully dedicated to the mission and goals of the Association.” Turner also announced the theme for the 2005-2006 association year: “Raising the Bar: Advancing Justice and Equality.”
“The National Bar Association will work this year to promote diversity in the legal system and society, protect the independence of the judiciary and advance democracy and the rule of law around the world, as we have for generations,” Turner said.
A former Vice President (2003) of the NBA, Turner is the 63rd president of the organization, which currently has 20,000 members. It is also the nation's oldest and largest association of predominantly African American attorneys and is based in Washington, DC. Due to strong nation-wide support, Turner ran unopposed in 2004 and was elected President Elect in what is typically a vigorously contested election.
“Reginald Turner will leave his mark on the National Bar Association,” said Kim Keenan, Immediate Past President of the NBA. “His leadership will hit new strides.”
Turner, a former president of the State Bar of Michigan, is a member of Clark Hill's Executive Committee, its Labor and Employment Practice Group and its Government Policy & Practice Group. Turner has more than 15 years of experience in labor and employment law and government relations, and he is named in The Best Lawyers in America. Turner also frequently represents clients in pro bono matters dealing with civil rights and civil liberties issues.
“Reggie is a strong, dedicated leader, and the National Bar Association is fortunate to have his vision and experience,” Clark Hill CEO John Hern said. “We are proud to support his efforts, and look forward to his successful term as president of the NBA.”
Turner is active in numerous public service and civic and charitable organizations. He is Chairman of the City of Detroit Board of Ethics, and in September 2003, Governor Jennifer Granholm appointed Turner to the Michigan State Board of Education. From 2000-2003, he represented Detroit Mayors Dennis Archer and Kwame Kilpatrick on the Detroit Board of Education. He formerly served on Governor John Engler’s Blue Ribbon Commission on Michigan Gaming and on the City of Detroit Brownfield Redevelopment Advisory Committee.
Turner is a Vice Chairman of the Detroit Institute of Arts, and Vice Chairman of the Detroit Police Foundation. He is also a Director of Comerica, Inc., the Hudson-Webber Foundation, and United Way of Southeastern Michigan.
Turner earned his law degree from the University of Michigan Law School in 1987, and his bachelor of science degree from Wayne State University in 1982.
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