10.23.2020

Plunkett Cooney, one of the oldest and largest law firms in the Midwest, has taken its appellate law practice to a new level with the addition of retired Judge and former Chief Judge of the Michigan Court of Appeals, Henry W. Saad, as an of counsel attorney.

“We are extremely excited that Judge Saad has decided to join our already outstanding, nationally recognized appellate team,” said Plunkett Cooney President & CEO Thomas P. Vincent. “Judge Saad will share with our clients the expertise he has acquired from 40 years in practice, including 23 years as a member of Michigan Court of Appeals.”

Saad works closely with clients and colleagues in Plunkett Cooney’s Appellate Law Practice Group to review and prepare complex and often high-profile appellate matters, including multi-district litigation and class actions. His expertise is particularly valuable with respect to issue spotting during the litigation process, creating trial and post-trial strategy and formulating persuasive appellate arguments.

In high stakes appellate litigation, Saad and the appellate team at Plunkett Cooney know that conducting mock oral argument is the best method for presenting a persuasive case and for anticipating tough questioning by appellate court judges. Plunkett Cooney’s appellate team is prepared to conduct mock oral argument in person and virtually in order to best position complex cases for success.

“I have always loved appellate practice and held Plunkett Cooney and its impressive appellate lawyers in the highest regard,” said Saad, who authored more than 75 published majority appellate decisions. “In my experience, Plunkett Cooney appellate lawyers are the best at their profession. I’m thrilled to be working with them and look forward to helping the firm’s clients achieve successful appellate outcomes.”

Saad, who was appointed to the Michigan Court of appeals by Gov. John Enger in 1994, retired from the bench in 2017, re-entering private practice with Young & Associates. Prior to becoming a judge, he worked for 20 years at the law firm of Dickson Wright. Saad also has the distinction of having been nominated by President George H.W. Bush to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan and by President George W. Bush to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit.

In addition to his public service, Saad has been involved for many years with several charitable and community organizations, including Detroit Public Television, Michigan Heart Association, McLaren Macomb Hospital and Brother Rice High School, where he served as Chair of the Board of Trustees.

Saad graduated with honors from Wayne State University Business School in 1971 and from Wayne State University Law School, magna cum laude, in 1974. He is the recipient of numerous honors and awards, including the Special Order of the Coif, the Salute to Justice John O’Brien Award and the Civic and Humanitarian Award presented by the Arab-American and Chaldean Council.

Plunkett Cooney is one of only a few Midwest law firms with a dedicated team of appellate attorneys. The members of the Appellate Law Practice Group are responsible for over 1,500 cases decided by state and federal appellate courts, including all Michigan appellate courts, the Ohio Supreme Court, the Indiana appellate courts, the California Court of Appeals, and numerous federal circuit courts of appeal. Plunkett Cooney appellate attorneys are routinely retained to handle cutting edge appeals involving issues of first impression or to seek reversal of large adverse judgments. They have also prepared numerous amicus curiae briefs on behalf of firm clients for filing in state and federal courts.  

Established in 1913, Plunkett Cooney is a leading provider of business and litigation services to clients in the private and public sectors. The firm employs approximately 150 attorneys in seven Michigan cities, Chicago, Illinois, Indianapolis, Indiana and Columbus, Ohio. Plunkett Cooney has achieved the highest rating (AV) awarded by Martindale-Hubbell, a leading, international directory of law firms. The firm was also selected by Crain’s Detroit Business as its inaugural Law Firm of the Year.

For more information about Judge Henry Saad joining Plunkett Cooney’s Appellate Law Practice Group, contact the firm’s Director of Marketing and Business Development, John Cornwell, at (248) 901-4008; jcornwell@plunkettcooney.com.

###