• Western Michigan University, B.S., 1965
• Detroit College of Law, J.D., 1970

• Named among "100 Most Influential Black Americans," Ebony magazine, May 1984
• Named one of the "25 Most Dynamic Mayors in America" by Newsweek magazine, November 1996
• Named "Most Respected Judge in Michigan," Michigan Lawyers Weekly, April 1990
• Named among "100 Most Powerful Attorneys in the United States," National Law Journal, April 1985
• Named "Public Official of the Year," Governing magazine, November 2000
• Listed in Michigan Super Lawyers
• Listed in Best Lawyers in America

Archer served as a justice on the Michigan Supreme Court from 1986 to 1990. In his last year as a Michigan Supreme Court justice, he was named "most respected judge in Michigan" by Michigan Lawyers Weekly.

Archer served as mayor of Detroit from 1993 to 2001. As mayor, he worked to repair the city's relations with the Detroit suburbs and the local business community through cooperation with suburban business leaders on their redevelopment plans for the city, reducing tensions. Archer was a strong supporter of numerous construction projects in downtown Detroit, including two new stadiums, Ford Field for the Detroit Lions and Comerica Park for the Detroit Tigers. Archer also became president of the National League of Cities during his last year as mayor.

Archer has long been active in the organized bar. He was the first person of color elected president of the American Bar Association (2003-2004) as well as the State Bar of Michigan. He has also served as president of the Wolverine Bar Association and the National Bar Association. Archer is a Life Member of the Fellows of The American Bar Foundation and the National Bar Association, a Fellow of the International Society of Barristers, a Fellow of the College of Law Office Management and Life Member of the Sixth Circuit Judicial Conference.