Bruce K. Posey, ’77, was inspired at an early age to become a lawyer through interactions with family friends and other legal professionals in his community who showed him the value of the law.
“As a young Black child, I found it interesting to watch these adults provide varying arguments to pursue the fight for justice and equality, especially during an era when civil rights were not as mature as they are now,” he says.
Posey went on to forge his own legal path and rose through the ranks as a general counsel and governance specialist at multiple companies throughout his career. The springboard, he says, was Michigan Law.
A generational connection to Michigan
The University of Michigan has been an academic foundation for Posey’s family for generations. His father, Leroy Posey Jr., earned his PhD from the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts (LSA) in 1942. His aunts, Carrie Jackson and Cecil Nelson, graduated with master’s degrees from the School of Education and LSA, respectively, also in the 1940s. Most recently, his daughter, Alexa Posey, earned her undergraduate degree from LSA in 2021.
“The University has had an invaluable and lasting impact on my life and family,” says Posey. “I fondly remember tales from my father and aunts about the excellent education they received and how the school warmly embraced them during the civil rights era. On a more contemporary note, my daughter hasn’t stopped raving about the wonderful time she had in Ann Arbor while obtaining a fantastic education.”
Michigan, though integral in his upbringing, is quite different from California, where he grew up and now lives with his wife. After earning his undergraduate degree from the University of Oregon, he was eager to immerse himself in Ann Arbor, a place that had taken on an almost mythical quality from years of stories from his father and aunts.
“Being a student at U-M, you experience a great balance among academic, sporting, cultural, and artistic activities. It’s almost like a city in and of itself within Ann Arbor,” says Posey.
He remembers his professors fondly, saying, “They were challenging at the same time as graceful in helping students understand what was needed to transition from law school into the real world. I carry immense pride in having attended an institution that stands as a beacon of academic excellence, innovation, and community engagement.”
Bruce K. Posey, ’77Participating in business and legal decisions is what drew me [to in-house legal roles]; I like the idea of playing on one team and not just coming in and out of different transactions and deals with different clients.
Remaining connected throughout his career
When Posey graduated from Michigan Law, he found his footing in what would become a decades-long career in various in-house general counsel and chief legal officer positions.
“Participating in business and legal decisions is what drew me in; I like the idea of playing on one team and not just coming in and out of different transactions and deals with different clients,” he says.
Throughout his career, Posey has served in leadership positions at seven different communications and technology companies. Former Colorado Gov. Roy Romer also appointed him to serve in a cabinet position as executive director of the state’s Department of Administration.
He now leads the legal team at Qualys, an American-based technology firm, and oversees legal and regulatory efforts for the company. He joined the firm in 2012 as general counsel and corporate secretary and was appointed chief legal officer and secretary in 2021.
Posey has been a donor to Michigan Law since the beginning of his career. Over four decades, he has made significant contributions to the Law School Fund, which is the primary source of discretionary funds at the Law School.
“I rejoice in the opportunity to give back to Michigan Law for all it’s given me: a foundation for my legal career, leading to the financial means to help support the next generation of students and faculty who foster an environment where leaders are born,” says Posey. “I hope that my ongoing donations, in some small way, enable deserving students to access the excellent education that the institution provides, regardless of their financial circumstances.”
