Richard Bernstein: Redefining Justice and Accessibility in Michigan

Richard Bernstein has built a legal career around one core idea. Equal access is not optional. It is a requirement of justice. As a justice on the Michigan Supreme Court, he is known for clear thinking, steady discipline, and long-term impact. His work shows how lived experience can shape better systems without changing the rules of the law.

His path to the state’s highest court was not typical. It was deliberate.

Early Life and Education Shaped by Discipline

Richard Bernstein was born on November 9, 1974. He has been legally blind since birth due to retinitis pigmentosa. From an early age, structure and preparation mattered.

“I learned quickly that planning wasn’t extra work,” Bernstein has said. “It was how I stayed independent.”

He attended the University of Michigan and graduated summa cum laude. He later earned his law degree from Northwestern University School of Law. His academic record reflected consistency, not shortcuts.

Education, he has noted, was about building tools. “You prepare so you can compete on equal ground,” he said.

Building a Legal Career Focused on Disability Rights

Before joining the Michigan Supreme Court, Bernstein practiced law at The Sam Bernstein Law Firm. His work focused on disability rights and public service. He took on cases that addressed access, not symbolism.

One of the most cited examples came from Michigan Stadium. Representing the Michigan Paralyzed Veterans of America, Bernstein worked with the U.S. Department of Justice and the University of Michigan to reach a consent decree that changed how accessibility was handled at large public venues.

The agreement added accessible seating, parking, restrooms, and routes throughout the stadium. It did more than fix one site.

“This wasn’t about special treatment,” Bernstein said at the time. “It was about equal participation.”

The case became a national reference point for accessibility standards in public spaces.

Election to the Michigan Supreme Court

In November 2014, Richard Bernstein was elected to the Michigan Supreme Court. He began his term in January 2015. His election marked a first. He became the first blind justice to serve on the court.

That fact drew attention, but his work quickly shifted focus back to the law itself.

“I don’t want to be known for what I can’t see,” Bernstein said. “I want to be known for how I decide cases.”

On the bench, he is recognized for careful reasoning and fairness. His opinions often reflect attention to how laws affect people in daily life, especially those navigating public systems.

Advocating for Equal Justice Through the Law

Bernstein’s advocacy is grounded in process. He does not argue for exceptions. He argues for compliance.

He has supported cases that reinforce accessibility in transportation, education, and public infrastructure. His approach treats access as a legal standard, not a favor.

“When systems are built correctly, people don’t need accommodations,” he has said. “They just participate.”

That mindset aligns with his broader view of justice. Equal access strengthens institutions. It does not weaken them.

Endurance Sports and Personal Discipline

Outside the courtroom, Bernstein is known for his endurance athletics. He has completed 27 marathons around the world, including races in Detroit, New York, Miami, Los Angeles, and Jerusalem. He has also competed in Ironman events, swimming with a guide without direct communication.

Endurance sports are not symbolic for him. They are structured work.

“Training teaches patience,” Bernstein has said. “Progress comes from showing up every day.”

In 2012, he was struck by a cyclist while fast walking in Central Park. The accident caused severe injuries and required months of recovery. After healing, he returned to training and ran a marathon the following year.

“It wasn’t about proving anything,” he said later. “It was about returning to routine.”

Leadership Without Distraction

Richard Bernstein’s career reflects consistency. He does not rely on rhetoric. He relies on systems, preparation, and follow-through.

As a justice, his leadership shows up in how standards are applied evenly. As an advocate, it shows up in outcomes that last beyond individual cases.

“Law works best when it’s predictable,” Bernstein has said. “That’s how people trust it.”

His work continues to influence how public spaces, transportation systems, and institutions approach accessibility.

A Lasting Impact on Justice and Access

Richard Bernstein’s story is not framed by limitation. It is framed by structure and persistence. From education to litigation to the state’s highest court, his career shows how consistent effort can reshape standards.

He has helped move accessibility from the margins into the core of legal compliance.

“Equal justice only works when systems are built for everyone,” he has said.

That belief continues to guide his work in Michigan and beyond.