Blind Justice Local attorney vies for seat on Michigan State Supreme Court. OOD LIFE. Harry Kirsbaum Contributing Writer R ichard Bernstein is vying for a seat on the Michigan State Supreme Court bench on Nov. 4 and, according to his slogan, if elected, he'll be "a blind justice for all" "My campaign slogan is my idea of blind justice said Bernstein, 40, of Birmingham. "When you look at it, blind justice means fairness for all people. The courts should be blind to corporate interests, blind to partisan politics, blind to political ideology, and it's in the idea of fairness that you can achieve true justice:" Bernstein, who was born blind, has always fought for fair treatment of persons with disabilities, starting with himself. After all, he had to fight the Law School Admissions Council to get into law school and graduated from Northwestern Law School in 1999 as the only blind person in the school. "There are certain challenges and difficulties that exist for all of us. And when you want to do it, that means you've got to get out there and work for it" he said. "Your chances are only as good as the amount of work, the amount of effort and the amount of tenacity and focus that you are will- ing to put in to the challenges that lie before you:' Bernstein is one of five candidates seeking an eight-year term for two open seats on the bench. Three other can- didates are seeking one seat for a two- year term. The fact that he has no judi- cial experience doesn't worry him. After all, he said, U.S. Supreme Court Justices Earl Warren and Thurgood Marshall had no bench experience either. And neither did current Michigan Supreme Court Justice Bridget McCormack. "When you talk to jurists and prac- titioners, her addition on the court has been a welcome breath of fresh air," Bernstein said. "When you look at the types of judges we have, it comes down to unique life experiences, which can make all the difference when deciding the critical cases of our times:' Bernstein, who has run 18 mara- thons and completed an Ironman Triathlon, is now in another type of race and has increased his mileage at airports and in cars traveling the state. He said a recent week included "Detroit to Traverse City to Grand Rapids, to Lansing, to Grand Rapids, It starts by getting to know you. Because the more I know about you the better I can help protect what's important in your world. And be there for you when you have a question or a concern. That's how I help people live the good life right here in Michigan. Shayna Levin 248-716-1001 Richard Bernstein to Benton Harbor, to Grand Rapids, to Traverse City, to Cheboygan, to Sault St. Marie, to Escanaba, to Marquette, to Saginaw, to Flint" When not running, he works at the family business in the Sam Bernstein Law Firm. His family is very close. They are all members of Congregation Shaarey Zedek in Southfield, and they are pro- viding as much support as they can. "We have been supportive of him in every possible way" said Mark Bernstein, his brother. "We rely on each other to get things done around here, so we're all stepping up while he's out campaigning to win this election:' His father, Sam, said they're all proud of what Richard's become, espe- cially when it comes to helping people. "When he was injured in Central Park, instead of suing the bicyclist, he initiated a lawsuit from his hospital bed against New York City to make the park safer;' he said. "We always joke that he's in charge of our pro bono department in the firm, and it's the only department that's growing" A bicyclist injured Bernstein while he was walking in Central Park in August 2012 after completing his 17th marathon. He spent more than 10 weeks at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York learning how to walk again. "There are certain times in your life that define who we are and define the person we are ultimately going to be. When I was in the hospital, the pain of a shattered hip and shattered pelvis is unbelievably difficult, but you reach a point that you just simply get up" he said. Bernstein is in the final sprint to gain a seat on the Michigan Supreme Court bench and, if tenacity and hard work are the key, there's nothing hold- ing him back. ❑ 46670 W. Pontiac Trail, Suite 6 Commerce Township shaynalevin@allstate.com Allstate. Call me for the protection you need and the service you want. GOOD HANDS for the GOOD LIFE Subject to terms, conditions and availability. Allstate Property and Casualty Insurance Co., Allstate Insurance Co. © 2013 Allstate Insurance Co. N- cr, "2, 0 1947850 HOUSTON BALLET GISE&LE 2 PERFORMANCES ONLY! Michigan Premiere! at The Detroit Opera House LIVE Michigan Opera Theatre Orchestra SAT. NOV.1, - 7:30 P.M. SUN. NOV. 2, - 2:30 P.M. 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