The Legacy
"If not now then when? If not me, then who?"
Attorney Lawrence C. Patrick, Jr. was born on February 8, 1945, in Detroit, Michigan. For more than 40 years Larry worked as an attorney and civic leader who was committed to improving and uplifting the lives of others by empowering them through educational opportunities.
​
Lawrence C. Patrick Jr. was a proud husband, father, and family member, and pioneer in his community. With a reputation for standing up and standing out with his leadership, Lawrence created a legacy that extends through his home, local and national schools, community groups, and throughout the city of Detroit. Larry Patrick was a native Detroiter. He was a proud graduate of Cass Technical High School, Wayne State University, and Harvard Law School.
​
Attorney Patrick was the former President of the Detroit Board of Education, where he served from 1989 to 1995. In addition to the Detroit Public School District, he represented numerous other districts over the years including the Mount Clemens School District, the Inkster School District, the Highland Park School District, and the Ecorse School District. In the area of Public School Academies, he represented more than three dozen charter schools in Michigan, Florida, and New York.
Responsible for mentoring some of the country's leading experts on education, Lawrence was a distinguished figure who continued to dedicate his time and expertise to advance the lives of young people through education.
​
Professionally, Attorney Patrick was Of Counsel to the Detroit Law Firm of Jaffe, Raitt, Heuer & Weiss, P.C. where he specialized in school law. He was a nationally acclaimed legal expert, speaker, and presenter on urban education reform issues.
His many years of public and charitable service includes service as a member of the Board of Directors of Michigan Future, and a Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Black United Fund of Michigan, Cranbrook Institute of Science and the Cass Tech Alumni Association. Larry was a model servant-leader. A visionary. He was a mentor, a family man, and a friend to many. Larry Patrick worked diligently, with integrity and excellence to create a lasting legacy of service, unity, and education that lives on through the many organizations — and individuals — he touched.
