COURIER JOURNAL ARTICLE – 04/08/1995
FRANK HADDAD – 1928-1995 – LEGENDARY COURTROOM FIGHTER FOR DEFENDANTS
He was a courtroom impresario known for landing the biggest cases and the clients with the biggest problems: Corrupt politicians, accused killers, rock stars and fellow lawyers all sought his expert counsel, his competitive edge and his connections. His very name came to stand for clients in serious trouble, so much so that it spawned a local adage: “If you’re guilty, get Frank Haddad.” Frank E. Haddad Jr., who in more than 40 years of practice forged a reputation as the state’s most prominent criminal defense lawyer, died yesterday [April 7, 1995]. He was 66. Haddad, who’d been hospitalized since March 19 for a heart ailment, died at Audubon Regional Medical Center in Louisville just after 1 a.m. of complications that his family said arose from an arrhythmia, or irregular heartbeat, said Gary Hillerich, a member of Haddad’s law group. A wide array of lawyers and judges yesterday said that Haddad will be missed throughout the state’s legal community and beyond Kentucky, where he had a national reputation as a trial lawyer. “He was the dean of the bar,” said U.S. District Judge Edward Johnstone of Paducah. “I don’t know who is going to take his place.” Defense lawyer Bart Adams, who often worked with Haddad on cases, said, “There’ll never be another Frank Haddad – ever.” His death came just a few months after one of his most spectacular successes – a court-ordered acquittal of his client, former state Finance Secretary Rogers Wells, of federal money-laundering charges midway through the trial in Bowling Green. Afterward delighted with the victory, Haddad presided over a victory celebration at a restaurant near the courthouse, said lawyer R. Kent Westberry, who was co-counsel at the trial. “He lit up the room,” Westberry said. “He was the master of ceremonies.” The Wells case was his last major trial, but Westberry said Haddad was busy preparing for several major trials when he became ill – among them, the federal corruption trial of former Big Rivers Electric Corp. General Manager Bill Thorpe. The trial has been postponed. Haddad would have been 67 in June and, at an age when many lawyers would consider retirement, was working as hard as ever. “It was nothing to get a call from him at midnight,” Adams said. “I’d be asleep, and he’d be asking me a question about a case.” U.S. District Judge Charles R. Simpson III said Haddad made his work his life. “Frank loved the law and loved what he did,” Simpson said. “He lived and breathed the law.” Haddad was known as one of the state’s most skilled and best prepared trial lawyers, but he also enlivened the courts with a rich sense of humor and colorful anecdotes from years in law practice. Skilled at imitating others, Haddad had perfected an imitation of Johnstone – complete with the federal judge’s rumbling, Western Kentucky drawl – that left spectators in stitches. “I loved him for it,” Johnstone said. “He could mimic me better than anyone I have ever known, and no one had more fun out of it than me – unless it was him.” Haddad also was known as a mentor to young lawyers, willing to give freely of his time and advice. U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Boyce F. Martin Jr. said that 30 years ago, Haddad helped him when Martin was a young, inexperienced federal prosecutor. Later, as a judge, Martin said he remained impressed with Haddad’s knowledge and experience. “He retained the facts of a case minutely and could turn them into a question as skillfully as any lawyer I’ve ever been associated with,” Martin said. The scope of Haddad’s friendships and connections was vast. He served as past president of the Kentucky Bar Association, the Louisville Bar Association, the Kentucky Association of Trial Attorneys and the National and the Kentucky associations of Criminal Defense Lawyers. He was a member of dozens of boards and legal committees. Some complained at times that he was too well-connected and that his many contacts brought him influence in the courtroom. In 1983, he created a stir when he helped launch a political-action committee to support all 14 incumbent Jefferson circuit judges seeking re-election, though some had arguably lost their luster or were past their prime. In 1991, after serving as campaign co-chairman for Circuit Judge William Knopf, he appeared before him representing a man accused of fatally punching a player on a basketball court. The move prompted an outcry from the victim’s family, who complained that the defendant’s suspended sentence and probation were too lenient and that Haddad’s connection to the judge may have been a factor. Haddad said there were no legal or ethical rules to prohibit him from supporting judges, and he was frequently asked to lend his name to judicial campaigns. “Let’s face it,” he said, “judges know the use of my name is going to help them because I have a good reputation in the community.” Survivors include his wife, the former Joann Seymour; a son, Frank E. Haddad III; a daughter, Debra Haddad Reed; a brother, Robert Haddad; and a sister, Dolores Meena. The funeral will be at 1 p.m. Monday at Arch L. Heady Hikes Point Funeral Home, 4109 Taylorsville Road, with burial in Cave Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be at the funeral home from 4 to 9 p.m. today and from 1 to 9 p.m. tomorrow. The family suggests that memorial gifts be made to Kosair Charities; Presbyterian Church of the Covenant, Elizabeth, IN 47117, or another charity.
FRANK HADDAD – 1928-1995 – LEGENDARY COURTROOM FIGHTER FOR DEFENDANTS
He was a courtroom impresario known for landing the biggest cases and the clients with the biggest problems: Corrupt politicians, accused killers, rock stars and fellow lawyers all sought his expert counsel, his competitive edge and his connections. His very name came to stand for clients in serious trouble, so much so that it spawned a local adage: “If you’re guilty, get Frank Haddad.” Frank E. Haddad Jr., who in more than 40 years of practice forged a reputation as the state’s most prominent criminal defense lawyer, died yesterday [April 7, 1995]. He was 66. Haddad, who’d been hospitalized since March 19 for a heart ailment, died at Audubon Regional Medical Center in Louisville just after 1 a.m. of complications that his family said arose from an arrhythmia, or irregular heartbeat, said Gary Hillerich, a member of Haddad’s law group. A wide array of lawyers and judges yesterday said that Haddad will be missed throughout the state’s legal community and beyond Kentucky, where he had a national reputation as a trial lawyer. “He was the dean of the bar,” said U.S. District Judge Edward Johnstone of Paducah. “I don’t know who is going to take his place.” Defense lawyer Bart Adams, who often worked with Haddad on cases, said, “There’ll never be another Frank Haddad – ever.” His death came just a few months after one of his most spectacular successes – a court-ordered acquittal of his client, former state Finance Secretary Rogers Wells, of federal money-laundering charges midway through the trial in Bowling Green. Afterward delighted with the victory, Haddad presided over a victory celebration at a restaurant near the courthouse, said lawyer R. Kent Westberry, who was co-counsel at the trial. “He lit up the room,” Westberry said. “He was the master of ceremonies.” The Wells case was his last major trial, but Westberry said Haddad was busy preparing for several major trials when he became ill – among them, the federal corruption trial of former Big Rivers Electric Corp. General Manager Bill Thorpe. The trial has been postponed. Haddad would have been 67 in June and, at an age when many lawyers would consider retirement, was working as hard as ever. “It was nothing to get a call from him at midnight,” Adams said. “I’d be asleep, and he’d be asking me a question about a case.” U.S. District Judge Charles R. Simpson III said Haddad made his work his life. “Frank loved the law and loved what he did,” Simpson said. “He lived and breathed the law.” Haddad was known as one of the state’s most skilled and best prepared trial lawyers, but he also enlivened the courts with a rich sense of humor and colorful anecdotes from years in law practice. Skilled at imitating others, Haddad had perfected an imitation of Johnstone – complete with the federal judge’s rumbling, Western Kentucky drawl – that left spectators in stitches. “I loved him for it,” Johnstone said. “He could mimic me better than anyone I have ever known, and no one had more fun out of it than me – unless it was him.” Haddad also was known as a mentor to young lawyers, willing to give freely of his time and advice. U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Boyce F. Martin Jr. said that 30 years ago, Haddad helped him when Martin was a young, inexperienced federal prosecutor. Later, as a judge, Martin said he remained impressed with Haddad’s knowledge and experience. “He retained the facts of a case minutely and could turn them into a question as skillfully as any lawyer I’ve ever been associated with,” Martin said. The scope of Haddad’s friendships and connections was vast. He served as past president of the Kentucky Bar Association, the Louisville Bar Association, the Kentucky Association of Trial Attorneys and the National and the Kentucky associations of Criminal Defense Lawyers. He was a member of dozens of boards and legal committees. Some complained at times that he was too well-connected and that his many contacts brought him influence in the courtroom. In 1983, he created a stir when he helped launch a political-action committee to support all 14 incumbent Jefferson circuit judges seeking re-election, though some had arguably lost their luster or were past their prime. In 1991, after serving as campaign co-chairman for Circuit Judge William Knopf, he appeared before him representing a man accused of fatally punching a player on a basketball court. The move prompted an outcry from the victim’s family, who complained that the defendant’s suspended sentence and probation were too lenient and that Haddad’s connection to the judge may have been a factor. Haddad said there were no legal or ethical rules to prohibit him from supporting judges, and he was frequently asked to lend his name to judicial campaigns. “Let’s face it,” he said, “judges know the use of my name is going to help them because I have a good reputation in the community.” Survivors include his wife, the former Joann Seymour; a son, Frank E. Haddad III; a daughter, Debra Haddad Reed; a brother, Robert Haddad; and a sister, Dolores Meena. The funeral will be at 1 p.m. Monday at Arch L. Heady Hikes Point Funeral Home, 4109 Taylorsville Road, with burial in Cave Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be at the funeral home from 4 to 9 p.m. today and from 1 to 9 p.m. tomorrow. The family suggests that memorial gifts be made to Kosair Charities; Presbyterian Church of the Covenant, Elizabeth, IN 47117, or another charity.
COURIER JOURNAL ARTICLE – 04/08/1995
FRANK HADDAD – 1928-1995 – LEGENDARY COURTROOM FIGHTER FOR DEFENDANTS
He was a courtroom impresario known for landing the biggest cases and the clients with the biggest problems: Corrupt politicians, accused killers, rock stars and fellow lawyers all sought his expert counsel, his competitive edge and his connections. His very name came to stand for clients in serious trouble, so much so that it spawned a local adage: “If you’re guilty, get Frank Haddad.” Frank E. Haddad Jr., who in more than 40 years of practice forged a reputation as the state’s most prominent criminal defense lawyer, died yesterday [April 7, 1995]. He was 66. Haddad, who’d been hospitalized since March 19 for a heart ailment, died at Audubon Regional Medical Center in Louisville just after 1 a.m. of complications that his family said arose from an arrhythmia, or irregular heartbeat, said Gary Hillerich, a member of Haddad’s law group. A wide array of lawyers and judges yesterday said that Haddad will be missed throughout the state’s legal community and beyond Kentucky, where he had a national reputation as a trial lawyer. “He was the dean of the bar,” said U.S. District Judge Edward Johnstone of Paducah. “I don’t know who is going to take his place.” Defense lawyer Bart Adams, who often worked with Haddad on cases, said, “There’ll never be another Frank Haddad – ever.” His death came just a few months after one of his most spectacular successes – a court-ordered acquittal of his client, former state Finance Secretary Rogers Wells, of federal money-laundering charges midway through the trial in Bowling Green. Afterward delighted with the victory, Haddad presided over a victory celebration at a restaurant near the courthouse, said lawyer R. Kent Westberry, who was co-counsel at the trial. “He lit up the room,” Westberry said. “He was the master of ceremonies.” The Wells case was his last major trial, but Westberry said Haddad was busy preparing for several major trials when he became ill – among them, the federal corruption trial of former Big Rivers Electric Corp. General Manager Bill Thorpe. The trial has been postponed. Haddad would have been 67 in June and, at an age when many lawyers would consider retirement, was working as hard as ever. “It was nothing to get a call from him at midnight,” Adams said. “I’d be asleep, and he’d be asking me a question about a case.” U.S. District Judge Charles R. Simpson III said Haddad made his work his life. “Frank loved the law and loved what he did,” Simpson said. “He lived and breathed the law.” Haddad was known as one of the state’s most skilled and best prepared trial lawyers, but he also enlivened the courts with a rich sense of humor and colorful anecdotes from years in law practice. Skilled at imitating others, Haddad had perfected an imitation of Johnstone – complete with the federal judge’s rumbling, Western Kentucky drawl – that left spectators in stitches. “I loved him for it,” Johnstone said. “He could mimic me better than anyone I have ever known, and no one had more fun out of it than me – unless it was him.” Haddad also was known as a mentor to young lawyers, willing to give freely of his time and advice. U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Boyce F. Martin Jr. said that 30 years ago, Haddad helped him when Martin was a young, inexperienced federal prosecutor. Later, as a judge, Martin said he remained impressed with Haddad’s knowledge and experience. “He retained the facts of a case minutely and could turn them into a question as skillfully as any lawyer I’ve ever been associated with,” Martin said. The scope of Haddad’s friendships and connections was vast. He served as past president of the Kentucky Bar Association, the Louisville Bar Association, the Kentucky Association of Trial Attorneys and the National and the Kentucky associations of Criminal Defense Lawyers. He was a member of dozens of boards and legal committees. Some complained at times that he was too well-connected and that his many contacts brought him influence in the courtroom. In 1983, he created a stir when he helped launch a political-action committee to support all 14 incumbent Jefferson circuit judges seeking re-election, though some had arguably lost their luster or were past their prime. In 1991, after serving as campaign co-chairman for Circuit Judge William Knopf, he appeared before him representing a man accused of fatally punching a player on a basketball court. The move prompted an outcry from the victim’s family, who complained that the defendant’s suspended sentence and probation were too lenient and that Haddad’s connection to the judge may have been a factor. Haddad said there were no legal or ethical rules to prohibit him from supporting judges, and he was frequently asked to lend his name to judicial campaigns. “Let’s face it,” he said, “judges know the use of my name is going to help them because I have a good reputation in the community.” Survivors include his wife, the former Joann Seymour; a son, Frank E. Haddad III; a daughter, Debra Haddad Reed; a brother, Robert Haddad; and a sister, Dolores Meena. The funeral will be at 1 p.m. Monday at Arch L. Heady Hikes Point Funeral Home, 4109 Taylorsville Road, with burial in Cave Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be at the funeral home from 4 to 9 p.m. today and from 1 to 9 p.m. tomorrow. The family suggests that memorial gifts be made to Kosair Charities; Presbyterian Church of the Covenant, Elizabeth, IN 47117, or another charity.
FRANK HADDAD – 1928-1995 – LEGENDARY COURTROOM FIGHTER FOR DEFENDANTS
He was a courtroom impresario known for landing the biggest cases and the clients with the biggest problems: Corrupt politicians, accused killers, rock stars and fellow lawyers all sought his expert counsel, his competitive edge and his connections. His very name came to stand for clients in serious trouble, so much so that it spawned a local adage: “If you’re guilty, get Frank Haddad.” Frank E. Haddad Jr., who in more than 40 years of practice forged a reputation as the state’s most prominent criminal defense lawyer, died yesterday [April 7, 1995]. He was 66. Haddad, who’d been hospitalized since March 19 for a heart ailment, died at Audubon Regional Medical Center in Louisville just after 1 a.m. of complications that his family said arose from an arrhythmia, or irregular heartbeat, said Gary Hillerich, a member of Haddad’s law group. A wide array of lawyers and judges yesterday said that Haddad will be missed throughout the state’s legal community and beyond Kentucky, where he had a national reputation as a trial lawyer. “He was the dean of the bar,” said U.S. District Judge Edward Johnstone of Paducah. “I don’t know who is going to take his place.” Defense lawyer Bart Adams, who often worked with Haddad on cases, said, “There’ll never be another Frank Haddad – ever.” His death came just a few months after one of his most spectacular successes – a court-ordered acquittal of his client, former state Finance Secretary Rogers Wells, of federal money-laundering charges midway through the trial in Bowling Green. Afterward delighted with the victory, Haddad presided over a victory celebration at a restaurant near the courthouse, said lawyer R. Kent Westberry, who was co-counsel at the trial. “He lit up the room,” Westberry said. “He was the master of ceremonies.” The Wells case was his last major trial, but Westberry said Haddad was busy preparing for several major trials when he became ill – among them, the federal corruption trial of former Big Rivers Electric Corp. General Manager Bill Thorpe. The trial has been postponed. Haddad would have been 67 in June and, at an age when many lawyers would consider retirement, was working as hard as ever. “It was nothing to get a call from him at midnight,” Adams said. “I’d be asleep, and he’d be asking me a question about a case.” U.S. District Judge Charles R. Simpson III said Haddad made his work his life. “Frank loved the law and loved what he did,” Simpson said. “He lived and breathed the law.” Haddad was known as one of the state’s most skilled and best prepared trial lawyers, but he also enlivened the courts with a rich sense of humor and colorful anecdotes from years in law practice. Skilled at imitating others, Haddad had perfected an imitation of Johnstone – complete with the federal judge’s rumbling, Western Kentucky drawl – that left spectators in stitches. “I loved him for it,” Johnstone said. “He could mimic me better than anyone I have ever known, and no one had more fun out of it than me – unless it was him.” Haddad also was known as a mentor to young lawyers, willing to give freely of his time and advice. U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Boyce F. Martin Jr. said that 30 years ago, Haddad helped him when Martin was a young, inexperienced federal prosecutor. Later, as a judge, Martin said he remained impressed with Haddad’s knowledge and experience. “He retained the facts of a case minutely and could turn them into a question as skillfully as any lawyer I’ve ever been associated with,” Martin said. The scope of Haddad’s friendships and connections was vast. He served as past president of the Kentucky Bar Association, the Louisville Bar Association, the Kentucky Association of Trial Attorneys and the National and the Kentucky associations of Criminal Defense Lawyers. He was a member of dozens of boards and legal committees. Some complained at times that he was too well-connected and that his many contacts brought him influence in the courtroom. In 1983, he created a stir when he helped launch a political-action committee to support all 14 incumbent Jefferson circuit judges seeking re-election, though some had arguably lost their luster or were past their prime. In 1991, after serving as campaign co-chairman for Circuit Judge William Knopf, he appeared before him representing a man accused of fatally punching a player on a basketball court. The move prompted an outcry from the victim’s family, who complained that the defendant’s suspended sentence and probation were too lenient and that Haddad’s connection to the judge may have been a factor. Haddad said there were no legal or ethical rules to prohibit him from supporting judges, and he was frequently asked to lend his name to judicial campaigns. “Let’s face it,” he said, “judges know the use of my name is going to help them because I have a good reputation in the community.” Survivors include his wife, the former Joann Seymour; a son, Frank E. Haddad III; a daughter, Debra Haddad Reed; a brother, Robert Haddad; and a sister, Dolores Meena. The funeral will be at 1 p.m. Monday at Arch L. Heady Hikes Point Funeral Home, 4109 Taylorsville Road, with burial in Cave Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be at the funeral home from 4 to 9 p.m. today and from 1 to 9 p.m. tomorrow. The family suggests that memorial gifts be made to Kosair Charities; Presbyterian Church of the Covenant, Elizabeth, IN 47117, or another charity.
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