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Profile on the Legal Profession – Phifer & White P.C.


By Linda E. Sweeney

Inside the L.B. King Building in downtown Detroit is a company that has maintained a long presence and commitment to the city of Detroit.  It is the law firm of Phifer & White P.C., which began in 1980. In 1989 they moved to this historic site, home of the old Annie’s Furs Company. It is located on Library Street just east of Woodward, adjacent to the newly refurbished downtown library.  The décor is conservative and refined, as expected of a law firm, but also has a beautiful large glass paneled wall through which you see a spiraling staircase from the lobby.  The firm is still growing and will soon expand to another floor.


The founding member of the firm, Randolph Phifer, began practicing law in 1975 and received his degrees from Eastern Michigan University and the University of Detroit School of Law.  Phifer & White P.C. is a highly regarded law firm and has received an AV rating from the Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory which is the highest rating issued by the publication.  According to Martindale-Hubbell, an AV Rating signifies that the lawyer has reached the heights of professional excellence. He or she has usually practiced law for a number of years, and is recognized for the highest levels of skill and integrity.  Their areas of practice are: Commercial, Litigation, Probate, Real Estate, and Workers’ Compensation.  The firm is diverse and has a staff of nine top-quality lawyers, specialists and support staff, and has represented some very well-known companies.

During my interview with Mr. Phifer he shared some advice for those interested in pursuing a profession in law.  He emphasized reading a lot and learning to think analytically. He said that you need to be good with words and English. Reading is something Phifer had a love for while growing up and he always had a dictionary nearby  to find out the different uses of words.  His advice for those still in high school is, “Take lots of English.  Every English course you can possibly take, every writing course that you can possibly take, take them.”  Taking analytical courses such as computer programming, higher math, and science is also suggested, “Because it helps you to think in an analytical fashion which is what you have to do in law school and eventually as a lawyer,” said Phifer.


The firm has given back to the community by participating in career programs at camps and churches.  Phifer took on a personal role in mentoring two young men, one from the age of 13 to 33, who graduated from Alabama State with honors and is now working on his doctorate. The other just graduated from high school and will be attending Bowling Green.  It’s obvious that mentorship has had a positive impact upon their lives; and each time we help someone’s life improve it is making the world a better place.  I believe that people who are mentored reciprocate by becoming mentors themselves; it’s like paying it forward, impacting our future for the better.

 
Want to hear more from Randolph Phifer and about a career in law?  Listen for an interview on Career Corners on Michigan Today Network (MTN).  For additional information about Phifer & White P.C. visit their site at www.ppwlegal.com

 
Michigan Law Schools:

Sources: Phifer & White P.C.; Martindale-Hubbell

 
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