125 years later, ABA has black president

SAN FRANCISCO - Not long out of law school, Dennis Archer went to his first meeting of the American Bar Association in San Francisco in 1972. He was one of just two black lawyers there, and among only a small number who were members of the lawyers' group that once excluded blacks.

Meeting in the same city Monday, the ABA will make Archer its first black president since its founding about 125 years ago.

"I think the American Bar Association is demonstrating for all to see a real commitment and respect for diversity, given its historical background," said the former Detroit mayor.

At the same time Archer becomes president for a one-year term, black Richmond, Va., lawyer Robert Grey Jr. is expected to win election as the group's president in waiting. Grey would take over as president in 2004.

Archer, a native of Cassopolis, Mich., grew up in a home with no indoor plumbing and took weekly baths in a metal tub. His father had a third-grade education and couldn't find good work after he lost an arm in a car accident. Archer started working at age 8, doing odd jobs such as setting up bowling pins and caddying.

He taught disabled children until a fellow teacher, who later became his wife, recommended he go to law school. His political career started with an appointment to the Michigan Supreme Court. He served five years, then ran for mayor of Detroit in 1993 and served two terms.

Archer was a popular politician, known for his focus on community relations and healing racial rifts.

"His humble beginnings in a small town gave him the ability to understand interpersonal relationships. Dennis is able to deal with people in an almost gentle, understanding way," said law colleague and longtime friend John Krsul.

Los Angeles lawyer Harry Hathaway saw leadership potential in Archer in the 1970s and gave him a position in the ABA. "He is ambitious and has a lot of energy," Hathaway said. "I don't care what his color is. He is a marvelous, incredible person."

During his year as president, Archer will meet with leaders all over the world about issues like legal representation for people facing the death penalty.

A black as president of the ABA once was unthinkable.

ABA leaders ran out several black lawyers after they slipped through the application process in 1912. After that, "If they didn't know you, they sent somebody to your office to check" an applicant's race, Archer said. "That didn't stop until 1943."

The ABA lifted the ban that year.

In 1986, the group began a drive for black members, pressing for "full and equal participation" of minorities and women.

Archer said he has not encountered overt discrimination at the ABA.

"Nobody looked at me askance," Archer said, "but let's just say we had some interesting discussions" about policies he opposed.

For example, Archer said, he and others insisted that ABA install a policy on exclusionary private clubs. The ABA now forbids its senior leaders from belonging to clubs that discriminate against women or minorities, although other ABA members may still belong to such clubs.

AGE-BIRTH DATE: 61; Jan. 1, 1942, in Detroit.

CAREER: Incoming president of American Bar Association; Detroit mayor, 1994-2001; Michigan Supreme Court justice, 1986-90; lawyer, law professor, special education teacher.

EDUCATION: Graduate of Detroit College of Law and Western Michigan University.

FAMILY: Wife, Trudy DunCombe Archer, a judge in Michigan; two sons.

QUOTE: "I think the American Bar Association is demonstrating for all to see a real commitment and respect for diversity, given its historical background," Archer said on becoming the first black ABA president.

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