Monday Profile: Michael Vincent

Michael Vincent is a longtime Ypsilanti resident and former Ypsilanti police officer who graduated from law school at the age of 43. For the past 22 years, he's been one of Washtenaw County's most successful criminal defense attorneys. A father of six and grandfather of 14, Vincent is also an instructor for the Michigan Institute for Continuing Legal Education, and an adjunct professor of law at Ave Maria School of Law. He looks forward to his 70th birthday - and especially the party - in July. What is your idea of perfect happiness? A martini. What is your greatest fear? Retirement. Which living person do you most admire? Good police officers. Was it difficult going from catching criminals to defending them? No. In both cases I am enforcing the law. What is your most treasured possession? My reputation. It's 7 a.m. Monday. How are you feeling? Great. I am working out lifting weights. What do you consider the most overrated virtue? Modesty. When and where were you happiest? Here and now. What's your greatest achievement: Staying alive. What would you say to your 16-year-old self? Nothing. I wouldn't listen. What one thing do you wish people knew about your work? How interesting it is and how much I love it. Favorite joke: A senior citizen drove his brand new Corvette convertible out of the dealership. Taking off down the road, he floored it to 80 mph, enjoying the wind blowing through what little gray hair he had left. ''Amazing,'' he thought as he flew down I-94, pushing the pedal even more. Looking in his rear view mirror, he saw a state trooper behind him, lights flashing and siren blaring. He floored it to 100 mph, then 110, then 120. Suddenly he thought, ''What am I doing? I'm too old for this,'' and pulled over to await the trooper's arrival. Pulling in behind him, the trooper walked up to the Corvette, looked at his watch, and said, ''Sir, my shift ends in 30 minutes. Today is Friday. If you can give me a reason for speeding that I've never heard before, I'll let you go.'' The old gentleman paused. Then he said, ''Years ago, my wife ran off with a state trooper. I thought you were bringing her back.'' ''Have a good day, sir,'' replied the trooper. What one habit do you wish you could break? Modesty. What is something most people don't know about you? That I admire good police work. What do you wish more people understood? I don't want to be understood, just paid. If you could have dinner with three people, living or dead, who would they be? It depends on who is picking up the bill... Favorite words: "Pay now." Favorite movie: Casablanca Favorite place to spend money: On a fast car. What is your motto? Work hard, play hard! Where would you like to be when you're 90? Ahhhh, that was last week... I don't remember what I was doing! Published: Mon, May 28, 2012