By Jo Mathis
Legal Newss
The Jackson legal community is remembering Bruce Clark as a well-respected attorney who placed great value on integrity and kindness.
Clark, a past president of the Jackson County Bar Association, passed away on Feb. 20 with his wife, Sylvia, by his side.
Jackson County District Judge Joe Filip says Clark knew that while it was nice to be important, it was more important to be nice.
“I believe that he lived his life and practiced law always with that motto in mind,” says Filip.
Filip first met Clark in 1973 when Filip returned to Jackson from law school in Virginia, and began work in the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.
“Bruce was a gentleman from the first day I met him to the last day I saw him this past December,” Filip recalls. “Most importantly, he was most polite and respectful to the support staff of the county offices … As an attorney, he always gave his best effort for his clients, whether in the criminal or civil arenas. He had the ability to determine the real issues in an action and work toward resolution from that perspective. Bruce was the standard for civility in the Jackson County Bar Association. I never heard anyone speak ill of Bruce; I never heard him speak ill of others.”
Michael Falahee was still in law school and clerking with the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office when he first met Clark at a trial.
“We were prosecuting Bruce’s client for assault and battery,” Falahee recalls. “He probably could’ve given me a very hard time, but instead he treated me as an equal. I had the pleasure of having numerous cases with Bruce over the past ten years and he was a true gentleman. I don’t recall him ever losing his temper with his clients or other attorneys. He will definitely be missed by our local bar.”
Attorney Bill Nichols knew Clark for 43 years and says Clark’s humble demeanor impressed him the most.
“He was always willing to help me learn,” said Nichols. “He was never antagonistic, as some lawyers sometimes seem to be. And he never took himself too seriously... another flaw, in my opinion, we lawyers often suffer ... He was a joy to work with.”
Clark graduated from Jackson High School in 1952 and served in the Naval Reserves from 1954 to 1956. He graduated from Michigan State University in 1958, and from the University of Michigan Law School in 1961.
Clark practiced law in Jackson in partnership with Haskell L. Nichols from 1961 through 1978 and was then in sole proprietorship until his death.
He helped develop the Mediation Program in the Jackson County Circuit Court, and was was a member of the Jackson County 4-H board of directors. He also received the Boss of the Year Award from the Jackson County Legal Secretaries Association in 1987.
For five years until 2012, Clark and attorney Ron Marienfeld practiced out of the same building at 404 S. Jackson St.
“It was always a pleasure to see Bruce,” said Marienfeld. “No matter what he was going through, he always had a smile on his face. He also always made time to chat regardless of his busy schedule.”
Attorney David Lady calls Clark one of the most honorable and decent lawyers he’s ever known, and says he represented his clients zealously while remaining totally professional in his dealing with the prosecutors and judges.
Lady recalled a time the two were co-counsel in a trial in which their clients were acquitted. He says Clark was the consummate gentleman throughout the trial, while he, Lady, was “aggressive and somewhat annoying,” a combination that worked well as a variation of good cop-bad cop.
“Bruce was a respected fixture in District Court and he will be missed,” says Lady. “His legacy will remain.”
Throughout the years, Clark enjoyed golf and tennis, and was active in scouting.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by his children Karen (Michael Dame) Clark, Elaine (John) Stewart, Brad (Julie) Clark and Kellie Garris; his grandchildren, Leah Dame, Connor, Will and Katherine Stewart, and Anna and Sarah Clark; and numerous nieces and nephews.
His parents, Donald Clark and Thelma Hyatt, and his brother, Donald Clark, preceded him in death.
A private family funeral service was held on the day of his death, and memorials were held Feb. 26 at Wetherby Funeral Home and St. Demetrius Church.
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