Michigan State Bar Foundation names 2024 award recipients

Reginald M. Turner, member emeritus at Clark Hill, is receiving the Founders Award, which recognizes a lawyer who exemplifies professional excellence and outstanding commitment to serving the community. Wendy W. Richards, principal, and pro bono counsel at Miller Canfield, is receiving the Access to Justice Award, which honors an individual who significantly advances access to justice for low-income individuals in Michigan.

Founders Award


Reginald M. “Reggie” Turner is an accomplished litigator and government affairs advocate. With an impressive career spanning over 30 years, he has consistently exemplified professional excellence and outstanding contributions. Turner is passionate about access to justice and diversity and inclusion. Once describing himself as a “serial volunteer,” Turner has an extensive list of civic, community and cultural involvement. Turner served as the President of the American Bar Association from 2021-2022 and President of the State Bar of Michigan from 2002-2003. Turner served as a White House Fellow under President Bill Clinton.  From 2000-2003, Turner represented Detroit Mayor Dennis Archer on the Detroit Board of Education.  In 2003, Governor 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, Hudson-Webber Foundation, Detroit Institute of Arts, and Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan. Turner is a Fellow of the Michigan State Bar Foundation and the American Bar Foundation. Turner also provided leadership to the development of the Access to Justice Campaign.   

Access to Justice Award


Wendy Richards has significantly advanced access to justice through her skilled advocacy efforts and pro bono. In her role as Miller Canfield’s pro bono counsel, she leads the firm’s nationally recognized pro bono program. In addition, her impressive career as a commercial litigator includes working on class actions and other complex matters. Richards has led work involving high-impact immigration litigation matters, community development projects, and entrepreneurship opportunities for individuals living in disadvantaged communities. Richards also has extensive pro bono experience related to voting rights. Richards is a Fellow of the Michigan State Bar Foundation and serves as 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 and 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 www.msbf.org.

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