About R. Drummond
R. Drummond Black trained as a physicist before turning to law. He earned a B.S. in Physics from Purdue University in 1964, and completed his J.D. at the University of Michigan Law School in 1971. The shift from science to law informed a methodical approach to problem solving that has appeared repeatedly over a long career.
Black has been admitted to practice in Michigan and has authority to appear before the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. His public service runs alongside his legal work. He served as mayor of the City of Midland from 1996 to 2005. During part of that period he also served as a commissioner for MBS International Airport from 2001 to 2003. He has been involved in the Midland Rotary Club in leadership roles since 2009.
Those civic roles shaped much of his professional life. As mayor he worked on municipal matters that required coordination between local government, private stakeholders and regional agencies. On the airport commission he participated in oversight and planning for a facility that serves several Michigan communities. The positions gave him direct experience in public policy, regulatory matters and intergovernmental negotiation.
In private practice, Black has handled a range of matters tied to local government, administrative process and civil disputes. He has also taken cases to the federal appellate level. Colleagues describe him as practical in court and persistent in litigation. He combines courtroom work with advisory roles for municipal clients and other organizations that interact with government regulators.
Outside of law and public office, Black’s background in the sciences has influenced how he approaches complex problems. He tends to break issues into discrete components and follows evidence through to practical outcomes. He remains active in community affairs through the Rotary Club and other local engagements. He continues to maintain an active practice in Michigan and before the Sixth Circuit, handling matters that include municipal law and civil litigation.
