Hon. William J. Haddad, (Ret.), senior mediator and arbitrator at ADR Systems, has been honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Arab American Bar Association of Illinois, the organization he co-founded 30 years ago.

“I’ve enjoyed many sterling moments in my career, but to receive this award from this group of people is truly an honor,” said Judge Haddad.

Judge Haddad co-founded the Arab American Bar Association of Illinois to advance the interests of the Arab American community in the areas of educational opportunities, employment and civil rights.

“On behalf of AABAR, in light of our 30th anniversary this year, we can think of no better way to commemorate this historic moment than to honor Judge Haddad with our first ever Lifetime Achievement Award,” said Marvet M. Sweis, Esq., president of the Arab American Bar Association of Illinois. “His vision to create this Bar and what he has continued to do every year since then is nothing short of amazing. We appreciate him and respect him dearly. His wisdom is truly in a league of its own.”

Judge Haddad graduated from DePaul University College of Law and began his career as a prosecutor. He then worked as a civil litigator for eighteen years and served as a judge for ten. Since retiring from the bench in 2013, Judge Haddad has been an adjunct professor at UIC John Marshall Law School and a senior mediator and arbitrator at ADR Systems, a role that allows him to help parties and their counsel resolve complex personal injury and commercial disputes.

“The law is a powerful tool for good. I often tell my students, ‘With this J.D., you can address some of the most complex problems in our society today. You’re equipped to make change and do good on any path your career takes you,’” said Judge Haddad.

Beyond his role at ADR Systems, Judge Haddad is working to establish an independent MENA (Middle East & North Africa) Advisory Board in the State of Illinois that would make recommendations to local and state governments regarding policy issues relevant to the Arab American community.

“We hope to increase business and scholarship opportunities for our community and improve civil rights protections for it as well,” said Judge Haddad. “I have every confidence we will make this happen. When a community works together, lives are changed.”

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Hon. William J. Haddad, (Ret.) has spent decades practicing law. Judge Haddad led a civil litigation firm for 18 years, served as a company president and spent 10 years as a Law Division judge in the Circuit Court of Cook County.  His broad background allows Judge Haddad to resolve a wide array of commercial and personal injury disputes.  Judge Haddad is very active in the Chicago legal and business community and has received numerous awards for his service.

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