Godfrey J. Dillard Explores Run for Congress

Respected attorney could fill void in 13th Congressional District.
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Detroit – On the heels of freshman Congressman Hansen Clarke’s declaration that he is abandoning his 13th Congressional District seat, attorney and civil rights advocate Godfrey Joseph Dillard announced today that he is considering a run for the seat. “Congressman Clarke’s departure creates a district without an incumbency. Currently, there is a void of leadership in the 13th Congressional District. A cross-section of community leaders have encouraged me to consider running for the 13th Congressional District,” said Dillard.

Godfrey J. Dillard, renowned practicing attorney, has a distinguished history of public service. Most notable, Dillard successfully litigated the trail of funding dispute between Wayne County, Michigan and the Wayne County Third Circuit Court in the state of Michigan. The court ruled that Wayne County, Michigan must provide sufficient funding, personnel, facilities and technology for Wayne County Third Circuit Court to fulfill its legal agreement.

Dillard served as Deputy Counsel General, U.S. Consulate General, Republic of Zaire – now, the Republic of the Congo. Also, Dillard was lead counsel for Defendant Intervenors in the University of Michigan Grutter/Gratz admission cases decided by the United States Supreme Court, which affirmed the use of affirmative action in higher education.

Dillard attended Vanderbilt University where he was the first African American basketball player in the Southeast Conference. He received his Bachelor of Arts, Eastern Michigan University; Juris Doctor, University of Michigan Law School; Master of Arts in International Affairs, George Washington University; and Certificate in Foreign Law, Columbia University Law School. Dillard is a member of the Bar of the United States Supreme Court, United States Court of International Trade and State Bar of Michigan. He is also an adjunct professor at Wayne State University, Law School.

Dillard has served on the National Advisory Council, United States African Development Foundation; Greater Detroit Foreign Trade Zone; Michigan District Export Council; Wayne County Neighborhood Legal Services; and as Chairperson of the International Law Section, State Bar of Michigan.

In 1999, the Michigan Lawyers Weekly named him Lawyer of the Year. In 2001, Dillard received the Champion of Justice Award, State Bar of Michigan. In 2001, the University of Michigan bestowed on him the Leonard F. Sain Esteemed Alumni Award. He also has received the “Keys” to the cities of Detroit and Windsor, Ontario, Canada.