The City of Traverse City and Traverse City Human Rights Commission will host a free event with Supreme Court Justice Richard Bernstein on Friday (September 7) at 1pm at the State Theatre.

Bernstein became the first legally-blind justice elected to the Michigan Supreme Court in 2014. Prior to that, he advocated for disabled rights as the lead attorney with the public service division of the Sam Bernstein Law Firm in Farmington Hills. "Working tirelessly to protect the rights and safety of people with and without disabilities, Justice Bernstein’s cases have often led to changes in accessibility across the country," according to a city press release. "From guidelines for safe access to commercial facilities, to ADA compliance in new road construction projects, to the preservation of special education funding, to safe and accessible city parks, the effects of his great work can be seen nationwide."

According to Traverse City Manager Marty Colburn, Bernstein is "a great role model and an inspiration to those in our community as someone who has overcome obstacles some may have found insurmountable and has instead demonstrated perseverance at its greatest.  I look forward to hearing his story and learning together with our community."

Tickets to the free event are available at the State Theatre box office.