Howard B. Eisenberg Service Award
Marvin C. Bynum II, Law ’10
Milwaukee, Wis.
Marvin Bynum thinks of himself as a solver of puzzles, using his legal and real estate expertise to benefit challenged communities. As a real estate attorney at Godfrey & Kahn, S.C., he has recently worked to bring affordable housing and fine arts space to Milwaukee’s historic Bronzeville neighborhood.
“These deals are typically challenging puzzles,” he says. “I enjoy partnering with clients to figure out innovative ways to overcome obstacles and bring projects across the finish line.”
Marvin’s time at the Law School, where he was editor-in-chief of the Marquette Law Review, cemented his “desire to serve others, do meaningful work, and leave a positive legacy,” he explains. Since graduation, he has made time to serve on the boards for multiple nonprofit organizations, including Milwaukee’s Harbor District, Milwaukee College Prep, the Milwaukee Development Corporation, Rocketship Schools Milwaukee, and the Silver Spring Neighborhood Center. He currently teaches a real estate transactions course at Marquette Law School as an adjunct faculty member.
Marvin’s paternal grandfather, the late Millard Bynum, continues to inspire him. As a child, Marvin admired his grandfather for the gum and change stashed in his pockets. But as he grew, Marvin discovered that his grandfather had been the first African American supervisor in the Public Works Department for Phoenix, Arizona, a position he achieved after attending business school at night while raising four children with his wife, Dot.
“I think I got my work ethic from my grandpa,” Marvin says, “and my drive to provide for my family, despite the long hours, and to do what I can to make [life] better for the generations that follow.”
Fun Fact: Marvin says listening to audiobooks keeps him grounded. He recently enjoyed The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store by James McBride, calling it “one of the most beautiful, poignant stories I’ve ever encountered. It is a must-read for these divisive times.”
Fun Fact: During his days at Marquette, Marvin’s favorite study spots were the third floor of the law library and the law review office.
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