Judge Henry W. Saad joined Mitby Pacholder Johnson PLLC as of counsel in 2024. Judge Saad brings the perspective of a seasoned jurist to our complex commercial and intellectual property litigation practice. He will assist our clients with litigation and trial strategy, critical motions, jury instructions, and appeals.
Judge Saad recently celebrated 50 years in the bar, including 23 years of service on the Michigan Court of Appeals -- one term as chief judge, and 20 years as a trial and appellate lawyer and arbitrator. During his judicial service, Judge Saad was known as a prolific opinion writer and active questioner, leading two different U.S. Presidents to nominate him to the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals.
During his over 40-year legal career, Judge Saad’s experience includes 20 years in private practice where he built a national reputation as a leading attorney specializing in complex drug liability litigation, media, libel law, labor and employment law and school law. This includes handling related appeals that resulted in nearly 20 published opinions. During his career as a lawyer and his tenure on the Michigan Court of Appeals, Judge Saad taught evidence, ethics and labor law for over 40 years as an adjunct professor at Wayne State University Law School and University of Detroit Mercy Law School.
In 1994, former Gov. John Engler appointed Saad to the Michigan Court of Appeals, a role he held for 23 years, including a term as Chief Judge of the Michigan Court of Appeals. During his tenure, Judge Saad served on the Governor's Task Force for Abused Children, and he also served as the Chair of the appellate court's Education Committee. Judge Saad was nominated to the federal district court by President George H.W. Bush and to the U. S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit Court by President George W. Bush. Judge Saad retired from the appellate court in 2017.
In addition, while practicing law, Judge Saad served as a hearing referee for the Michigan Department of Civil Rights, and he served as an arbitrator for the Michigan Employment Relations Commission.
