Edward Nahhat, Candidate for 44th District Court Judge

General information

Name : Edward Nahhat
Age: 50
Place of residence : Royal Oak, Michigan

Education

University : Wayne State University Law School, JD (1990); Wayne State University, BFA (1983)

Employment Information

Current job title : general practice attorney at Caputo Brosnan PC in Warren

Political information

Running for a: Local office
Running for position: District Court Judge
Chamber/district: 44th
Incumbent: No
Previous elective offices : None

Party HQ

Address: 515 W. Houstonia Ave., Royal Oak, MI 48073

Website

www.nahhatforjudge.com

Statement of Purpose

About My 20 Years of Diverse Legal Practice

I have 20 years of experience successfully litigating for and advising people of all ages and families of all shapes, as well as businesses - both big and small.  I have successfully handled cases in all levels of Michigan courts in all types of legal areas, such as Criminal Law, Family Law, Probate Law, Real Estate Law, Landlord-Tenant, Business Law, Employment Law, Arbitration, Securities claims, Environmental Law and Entertainment Law.

I specialize in the client.  Many people end up needing advice and representation in family court, criminal court and probate court at different times; or they may have contract disputes and other business concerns along the way.  Employment issues, injury claims, bankruptcy challenges or real estate transactions also come up in the life of any family or business.  I have built my career around helping all kinds of people, families and businesses through all of their legal challenges.

Why You Should Vote for Me

I’ve been a successful lawyer in District courts for 20 years, as well as all other levels of Michigan courts.  I’ve handled (many times over) all of the kinds of cases that come before a District Judge.  I’ve been a District Court mediator, a private litigant, a witness, a jury foreman, a landlord and a tenant, even a driver ticketed for speeding (a long time ago).  As a business owner and community leader I have acquired the management maturity that will be necessary to help lead the court with its many employees and administrative functions.

And I have the vision to help bring the court into this new century.  In my life I’ve seen Royal Oak change, and not always for the better.  I know first hand the hardship that comes to the victim of crime. The people of Royal Oak deserve to have a strong and fair judge that they know, and who knows them.

I would be honored to earn the trust of being elected Royal Oak’s next District Judge.  I am emotionally and intellectually prepared for this work.  I know this town and, after 20 years of law practice, I know the law.

What I Will Do If Elected

I will be an active judge and bring the court to the people.

First, I know what it means to be a victim of crime here in Royal Oak.  I will be as tough on crime as the law and the facts permit; but I will also respect the legal rights of everyone in my courtroom.  People need to know that crime is not tolerated in Royal Oak.

Second, every month I will visit a local church or community service organization, business or non-profit group; any group of folks that wishes to talk with me at their service, meeting, session or social function without the intimidation of the bench between us.

Third, I will advocate establishing a “Clean and Sober Court” for those people convicted of non-violent crimes that are substantially related to a diagnosed addiction problem.

Fourth, I will use the influence of my office in collaboration with leaders in government and the private sector to find solutions to the parking problem in downtown Royal Oak.  Royal Oak residents deserve nothing less.

Fifth, I will bring the court to schools and show students what sentencing is all about.  I will encourage outreach via online social networking from the court to the people.

Legal, Management and Community Experience in More Depth

I’ve successfully argued cases in front of a dozen juries and a hundred judges, including Courts of Appeal.  I’ve been a mediator and a jury foreman too, so I think I can handle any type of case in any type of courtroom.

But rushing into a trial can be bad for business.  That’s why I tell my clients that a good lawyer must always prepare for trial - but also avoid trial if he can. 

Another advantage I would bring to the bench is that I have been successful for and responsive to my clients for 20 years.  Every client is a new hire, someone who is willing to pay you their hard-earned money to care for their dearest concern.  There are a lot of lawyers out there to choose from.   I believe that until a lawyer can make a living by serving his clients’ needs – and keep those clients coming back and referring others to him – he or she hasn’t really practiced law yet.  A lawyer who is elected to the bench without having that proven record could have a huge blind spot on the bench.

I am proud that I have spent 20 years fighting for justice without a single day working for the government. I have many years of experience cooperating - and arguing - with prosecutors, and sometimes even advising them.  I’ve had to challenge my own government, dispute the propriety of police action, and even openly disagree with judges in their own courtrooms.  It takes guts to do what I do.  I’ve helped children, families, seniors, the injured, the cheated, the victim, the wrongfully accused, and yes, even the guilty find a new road to a better life.  I’ve seen my clients in hospitals, retirement facilities, trailer homes, mansions, skyscrapers, mental health wards, re-hab centers, jail cells and courtrooms all over Michigan.  And through it all I’ve never pre-judged them - or the facts - and I always listen to both sides.  But once an issue is decided, my conviction is clear.  

I have the depth of experience, the strength of perseverance and the impartiality that are critically important qualities of being a good judge.

Community Service and Business Experience

I have served as a lay leader in my church for many years, volunteering in service, performances and community projects.  In 2001 I founded a local non-profit professional arts company called Water Works Theatre Company, Inc. which presents the annual Shakespeare in the Park in Royal Oak summer event.  Over the years Water Works has provided hundreds of temporary jobs to local artists, and educational opportunities to hundreds of young people, all while enhancing the cultural quality of life in the community.  I have served for over a decade as the volunteer Chair and President of this large scale event, doing everything a leader and entrepreneur must do, from cleaning the bathrooms to budgeting.  Managing a non-profit business with over 50 active participants and thousands of customers every year (on top of maintaining a busy law practice) requires discipline, clarity in goal setting and faith in others.

For the past four years I have also been a coach at Royal Oak High School, supervising and teaching hundreds of students in the drama club productions.  This work requires multi-discipline knowledge, clear direction and setting a good example.  This job also involves important team-building with parents, teachers, administrators and students.

I have served for four terms as an elected officer of a condominium complex here in Royal Oak and four years as an officer of the State Bar of Michigan ACES section.  In 2006 I was awarded the State Bar of Michigan’s John Hensel Award for outstanding contribution to the arts in Michigan.

Education and Work History

High School Diploma (1979) Royal Oak (Kimball) High School); Bachelor of Fine Arts (1983) Wayne State University, Juris Doctor (1990), Wayne State University Law School.

My first jobs were delivering the Detroit Free Press by bicycle in my Royal Oak neighborhood at 14, washing dishes for my church and church camp, and caddying at Red Run Golf Club (without wheels).  I graduated from Royal Oak High School (Kimball) in 1979 and worked through college at Wayne State at various jobs such as gas station manager, restaurant prep cook, grocery store stock boy, marketing assistant, ice cream store worker, groundskeeper, pizza deliveryman, paint factory worker, and landscaper.  My last two years of college I lived in an apartment in the Cass Corridor, where I learned first-hand how to live and work among people who were very different than me.  I vividly remembered the impact of the Detroit riots of 1967, and believed that living in the city at that time was an important statement to make. In my 20’s I became dedicated to the revitalization of Detroit, a mission that many others have taken up over the years.  In 1982 I began a ten-year career in Special Event management for two non-profit companies, Detroit Renaissance, Inc. (Detroit Grand Prix, Detroit Jazz festival and other Hart Plaza festivals) and The Parade Company (Thanksgiving Parade).  Before I finished college I was given significant leadership responsibilities in operational management, personnel supervision, box office management, booking national entertainment acts, managing relations with the national and international press, national political campaigns, local governmental agencies and elected officials, as well as with Detroit area business leaders.  After college I spent two years pursuing a profession with my theatre arts degree earning some early success.  I also traveled across Europe before the Iron Curtain fell (and before the internet), and discovered through that adventure that what I really wanted to do was to make a positive difference in my world, with real people.  So I thought: what better place to do that than where I came from?  I decided to attend law school at Wayne State in Detroit.  I worked my way through law school (1985-1990) using a combination of event-related jobs, professional acting work and a Moot Court Scholarship (1989-90).  I also clerked at three different law firms   Simeon Huckabay (1985), McDonald LoPrete (1988), and Hertz Schram (1990). 

After I passed the bar in 1991 I was intent on practicing law for myself.  I founded and managed Nahhat & Nahhat PC, named in honor of my father.  For seven years I was self-employed there, developing a general practice, with one employee under my supervision.  In 1998 I merged my firm with Caputo Brosnan, PC and have been employed there ever since. 

Family Life and Personal Inspirations

I was born and raised right here in Royal Oak, Michigan.  My parents, Sam and Mary Nahhat (both retired educators), have always set a stellar example with their community involvement and commitment of talent and service to others.  My father always worked two jobs (as an educator, then a school administrator, and part-time lawyer).  My mother raised six children and founded a respected Royal Oak pre-school. 

As a middle child and eldest son in a close-knit family of six children I learned early on in life how to mediate and referee disputes.  I was expected to lead, had to be resourceful out of necessity, and learned to make reasoned decisions that affected my siblings.  I was always interested in making rules that were fair.

I’ve been a Royal Oaker my whole my life.  I walked to school here, sang Christmas carols down the street, delivered the morning paper to Mr. Dondero and drove my father’s convertible in the homecoming parade. I was raised to value education, hard work and the American dream.  My father always said I could anything I set my mind to.

I now live with my significant other, Kimberly Smiley, who is an elementary school teacher. Kim and I graduated from high school together in Royal Oak, and re-met at our class reunion.  We are renovating our 1927 Royal Oak home together.  Her support has been a priceless inspiration.