Baker College opens Justice Bernstein's talk to public; Nov. 11

Baker College of Auburn Hills will welcome Justice Richard Bernstein to campus Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2015, for a talk to students and the public, 6:30-7:30 p.m., in the Student Center, 1500 University Drive, Auburn Hills. Space is limited, and attendees are encouraged to arrive early.

Justice Bernstein was elected to the Michigan Supreme Court in 2014 following a career as a trial attorney and is Michigan’s first blind justice.

“Before election to the Michigan Supreme Court, Justice Bernstein was a gifted lawyer and tireless advocate for the rights of the disabled and others; he has a wonderful story to share,” said Peter W. Karsten, Ph.D., CPA, Baker College of Auburn Hills president. “We welcome him, members of our community, students and staff to this inspirational event.”

Blind since birth, Justice Bernstein will speak about his life and the obstacles and challenges he has encountered and the barriers and stereotypes he has overcome to achieve his goals and fulfill his personal potential.

Justice Bernstein graduated summa cum laude from the University of Michigan and earned a Juris Doctor at the Northwestern University School of Law. During his years practicing law in his family’s firm in Farmington Hills, he was a voice for disabled rights, heading the public service division of the firm. He argued and won cases nationwide protecting the rights of people with and without disabilities.

As an accomplished advocate for disabled rights and safety, many of his cases in private practice helped to set precedents for nationwide change including accommodations for disabled persons in commercial facilities such as football stadiums and accessibility for disabled people in airports and on commercial airlines.

In addition to his work in law, Justice Bernstein is an accomplished athlete and was inducted into the National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame in 2013. He has completed 18 marathons, including the New York City Marathon eight times, the 2008 Ironman Coeur d’Alene triathlon in Idaho, and the 2012 Israman Triathlon’s half Ironman in Eilat, Israel.

For more information about Baker College of Auburn Hills, contact Nicole Chirco in the admissions office at nicole.chirco@baker.edu or 248.340.0600, or visit www.baker.edu.

The largest private college in Michigan, Baker College is a not-for-profit higher education institution accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. It serves more than 23,000 students on multiple campuses and online. Baker grants certificates and associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in more than 150 programs across diverse academic fields, including business, health sciences, engineering, information technology, education and human services. An impressive 97 percent of available graduates are employed. Every Baker graduate receives Lifetime Employment Assistance—free and forever. Baker is a pioneer in distance education and offers students the option of completing a degree 100 percent online, without ever visiting a campus. For information, visit www.baker.edu or follow Baker College on Twitter, @bakercollege, or on Facebook, www.facebook.com/bakercollege.