Desiree M. Ferguson is ​self-described native Detroit mother, grandmother, wife, homeowner, social justice warrior and soon-to-be-retired attorney. She currently serves as ​Special Legal Counsel for the Detroit Justice Center. Before joining DJC, Desiree retired after serving for over 26 years as an Assistant Defender at the State Appellate Defender Office, where she specialized in handling criminal defense appeals on behalf of indigent persons convicted of felonies, in both State and Federal courts. She taught a Criminal Appellate Advocacy clinic at the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law, Wayne State University Law School and the University of Michigan Law School.  Previously, she worked for the American Civil Liberties Union, UAW Legal Services Plan, Michigan Legal Services, Wayne County Neighborhood Legal Services Urban Law Clinic, and Farmworker Legal Services.  Desiree graduated from Cass Tech in 1975, and from the University of Michigan with a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish Language and Literature in 1978 and a Juris Doctor in 1982.  Desiree currently serves as Board Member and Secretary of the new Detroit People’s Food Coop, due to open by year’s end, and Board Member of the Detroit Black Community Food Security Network.  She is also an active member of the National Conference of Black Lawyers, which acts as legal arm of the movement for Black liberation.  Desiree loves reading, writing, yoga, dance, gardening and travel.