Dennis Wayne Archer was born in Detroit in 1942 and grew up in Cassopolis, Michigan. His path to law was indirect. He first considered pharmacy, moved between colleges and eventually completed an education degree at Western Michigan University in 1965. He then taught children with disabilities at Detroit's Bunche Elementary School.
His wife, Trudy DunCombe Archer, encouraged him to consider law. He attended night classes at Detroit College of Law and graduated in 1970. After entering practice, he became a partner at Charfoos, Christensen and Archer. He also taught at Detroit College of Law and Wayne State University Law School.
Archer became active in several professional associations. Dickinson Wright's biography records his presidencies of the Wolverine Bar Association in 1979-1980, the National Bar Association in 1983-1984 and the State Bar of Michigan in 1984-1985.
Governor James Blanchard appointed him to the Michigan Supreme Court in November 1985. He served from 1986 through 1990 and won election to an eight-year term in November 1986. Archer resigned in 1990 to return to private practice.
Detroit voters elected him mayor in 1993, and he served two terms from 1994 to 2001. His administration pursued federal Empowerment Zone support and downtown investment, including casinos and sports facilities. The Detroit Historical Society records a balanced budget during his first year, and voters reelected him during his first term.
Archer chaired Dickinson Wright from 2002 to 2009 and served as ABA president in 2003-2004, becoming its first African American president. The firm now lists him as retired chairman emeritus. He received the ABA Medal in 2016.
