Henry Saad, a Judge on the Court of Appeals

Judge Henry Saad, whose nomination to the federal bench was blocked by Democrats, has served on Michigan Court of Appeals since 1994 and as adjunct professor at both Wayne State University and University of Detroit Mercy law schools teaching evidence, ethics, and labor law courses.

Early Life and Education

Henry Saad, a retired judge of the Michigan Court of Appeals. Prior to retiring he practiced law at Dickinson Wright for 20 years while teaching classes at Wayne State University and Detroit Jesuit School of Law. Henry is married to Mara Letica who serves as Executive Vice President/General Counsel of Letica Corp, a family-owned packaging company.

Wayne State University awarded him his undergraduate and law degrees, magna cum laude respectively in 1971 and 1974 respectively. Additionally he studied at University of Bordeaux in France.

Though Saad was certified by the American Bar Association as fully qualified, liberal groups and plaintiff’s attorneys criticized him as an overly-conservative jurist who frequently supported employers against allegations of sexual harassment, job discrimination or whistleblower lawsuits.

Professional Career

Saad began his legal career as an associate of Dickinson Wright law firm in Detroit and later went on to be one of its partners. Over time he earned national renown for his practice in employment law, school law and libel cases.

In 1994, Michigan Governor John Engler appointed Saad to Michigan’s Court of Appeals; eventually becoming chief judge. President George W. Bush nominated Saad to the U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals but his nomination was blocked by Democratic senators Carl Levin and Debbie Stabenow due to his conservative judicial philosophy.

Saad currently works in Plunkett Cooney’s Bloomfield Hills-based Appellate Law Practice Group as special counsel, where he handles appeals for various clients. Additionally, he serves on the board of Detroit Public Television as well as trustee positions with American Heart Association and Brother Rice High School.

Achievement and Honors

Henry Saad is a Judge on Michigan’s Court of Appeals and an active contributor to his community. He serves on the boards of Detroit Public Television, McLaren Macomb Hospital and Brother Rice High School – three important organizations within Michigan.

At Wayne State University School of Business he earned a Bachelor’s degree with honors, then at their Law School earned a Magna Cum Laude Law Degree (magna cum laude). While practicing private law he established an impressive national practice and reputation in employment law, school law, and libel law.

Hatch nominated Saad to serve on the U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals alongside McKeague and Griffin; however, due to Levin and Stabenow filibustering their nominations. Saad currently practices with Plunkett Cooney’s Appellate Practice Group.

Personal Life

Henry William Saad, a retired judge of Michigan’s Court of Appeals, now practices appellate law as an of counsel attorney at Farmington Hills-based Plunkett Cooney.

He is actively engaged in civic and charitable efforts, holding board membership at Detroit Public Television, the American Heart Association and Brother Rice High School – where he also served as chairman. Additionally, he holds adjunct professor positions at both University of Detroit/Mercy and Wayne State Universities teaching Evidence and Public Sector Labor courses.

Saad earned endorsement from both United Auto Workers and Michigan Education Association during his state judicial campaigns, and President George W. Bush nominated him to fill four Michigan seats on the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit; their nominations were, however, delayed by Sens Carl Levin and Debbie Stabenow as they were Republicans.

Net Worth

At Plunkett Cooney, Saad provides strategic counsel and implements day-to-day responsibilities for several multimillion dollar cases. As part of their Appellate Law Practice Group in Bloomfield Hills he specializes in employment law, school law and libel law – while having written over 75 published majority opinions for Michigan Court of Appeals during his time serving.

Mara Letica Saad, Executive Vice President of Letica Corp, manufacturers plastic and paper packaging products; is his wife. Together they have two adult children. However, their large political donations have raised eyebrows in Michigan where judges should remain impartial and independent; The Sunlight Foundation included them among its “Top 31,385 Contributors”, alongside Quicken Loans founder Dan Gilbert and Detroit pizza mogul Mike Ilitch among them.