LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Richard H. Bernstein, one of the seven justices on the Michigan Supreme Court, is back to work after taking a month-long short-term leave for mental health treatment for “situational depression” outside of the state. Situational depression, as described by WebMD, is different than clinical depression and happens when a stressful event triggers a period of depression.

Bernstein, a justice who is blind, has been on the court since 2015. Last November, he was reelected to another eight-year term.

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Bernstein, who helps the Democrats maintain a 4-3 majority, did not hear any cases in person when he was absent on April 26th and May 10th, however he worked remotely while gone to review active cases. He returned to the court in person last week.

In a statement, Bernstein, 48, said, “It is my sincere hope that by talking about these issues in the open, free from any needless stigma, we can move closer to a day when anyone struggling can avail themselves of the same quality care I was blessed to receive.”

He added, “Serving on the Michigan Supreme Court is the honor of my life, and I am humbled each day by the opportunity to serve with colleagues committed to upholding the rule of law. I want to thank them for the grace, patience, and compassion they have each shown me these past several weeks, and I look forward to our continued service together.”

Bernstein comes from a well-known legal family in the state and practiced law with the Farmington Hills Sam Bernstein Law Firm in the past before being elected to the Michigan Supreme Court. Much of his legal work at the law firm focused on protecting the rights of people with disabilities, including winning a case against the University of Michigan that resulted in increased seating for people with disabilities at the stadium, which included enhanced accessible parking, restrooms and concessions.

Bernstein attended High School in Bloomfield Hills and got his Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Michigan. In order to attend Northwestern University School of Law, he had to fight the Law School Admissions Council against their “visual bias” of the Law School Admission Test (LSAT). He claimed the test discriminated against the blind by requiring interpretations of visual material, which he said was no barometer of success in law school. When he was admitted, he was the only blind person in the law school.

In order to get his law degree at the school, Bernstein would have to memorize lectures, have notes read to him and memorize lengthy passages in order to pass tests. He is reported to have worked seven days a week for 13 hours a day which ultimately helped him receive his juris doctor degree from Northwestern University School of Law in 1999.

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The Michigan Supreme Court is a busy one and receives about 2,000 new case filings a year, many of them seeking review of Michigan Court of Appeals decisions.

Also reported regarding the court recently is a possible 7% raise in pay for the justices, pending legislative approval. Chief Justice Elizabeth Clement had told the State Officer Compensation Commission who ended up approving the pay hike in a 5-2 vote last week, “Inflation has eroded our salaries substantially.” She also noted that the Michigan Supreme Court justices are currently getting paid less than the Michigan Court of Appeal judges.