Takura Nyamfukudza

Many recognize Takura by his trademark bowtie, but his real trademark is the passion and skill that he brings to fight every case for every person he represents. He truly believes that defending people’s rights in the courtroom is his life’s calling. He is an experienced criminal defense litigator who has enjoyed a number of successes in the courtroom. He has fought diligently to earn "not guilty" verdicts in multiple jury trials. Those "not guilty" verdicts include an attempted murder trial, numerous cases involving multiple counts of criminal sexual conduct, and the retrial of a man who had been wrongfully imprisoned for nine years. Takura also played in integral role in helping to exonerate three clients who had served a total of 52 years in prison for various crimes that he and the team at Chartier & Nyamfukudza, P.L.C. were able to prove the clients did not commit.

Takura practices in state and federal courts throughout Michigan, including handling appellate cases at the Michigan Supreme Court and the Michigan Court of Appeals. Before serving his clients as a criminal defense litigator, Takura proudly served his country in the United States Army for twelve years.

In 2015, Takura was selected to receive the State Bar of Michigan’s Regeana Myrick Outstanding Young Lawyer Award. This award is given to one attorney in the state and recognizes attorneys making outstanding contributions to the bar and the community. Other recognitions Takura has received include the Rising Star Award from the Davis-Dunnings Bar Association and the “Top 5 Under 35” Award from the Ingham County Bar Association. The Rising Star Award recognizes an outstanding young lawyer in the Greater Lansing community whose career demonstrates leadership, exemplary character, integrity, judgment, legal scholarship, and service to the profession and community through community-based organizations that strive to improve the lives of the people in the Lansing community so as to make him a role model for others. The “Top 5 Under 35” Award is given annually to five members of the Ingham County Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Section, recognized for their talents, skills, professionalism, and civility in the practice of law.

Takura is active in numerous professional organizations, and he has presented on issues related to criminal defense throughout the state, including at the Michigan Judicial Institute and conferences held by the Criminal Defense Attorneys of Michigan and the Michigan Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights. He has also been appointed to the State Bar of Michigan’s Board of Commissioners.

Takura served on the Michigan Joint Taskforce on Jail and Pretrial Incarceration, as faculty for the Michigan Indigent Defense Commission’s trial skills program, and as the defense attorney who tried the case for the Supreme Court Administrative Office’s remote jury trial project. The State Appellate Defender Office has tapped him to lecture on the topic of remote jury trials. Takura is a recurring speaker at the People’s Law School, where he typically educates those in attendance on issues related to the Fourth Amendment.

Takura is also active in the community, volunteering his time at the Dream Warriors Project and the Michigan Supreme Court Learning Center. Takura’s commitment to serving the community extends to pro bono work, and he has also volunteered his legal services with Service to Soldiers. He is a longstanding mentor with the Ingham County Veterans Treatment Court. Takura is a leading criminal defense litigator, and he brings his passion for the law and commitment to excellence to every case.