DEARBORN — Helal Farhat, a prominent Metro Detroit attorney, was appointed to the Wayne County Third Circuit Bench by Governor Whitmer on Thursday, March 28.

Born on September 4, 1977 in South Lebanon, Farhat immigrated to the United States with his family on January 18, 1988. He is the youngest of 10 children, five boys and five girls.

At age 10 Farhat entered Dearborn Public Schools and graduated from Fordson High School in 1995. In May 1999, Farhat received his undergraduate degree from Wayne State University and in May 2002 he obtained his Juris Doctor degree from Wayne State’s law school.

Farhat has practiced law for the past 17 years and tried cases in district, circuit and federal courts and administrative bodies. He established Farhat Law Firm in 2012, which specializes in business litigation, criminal law, family law and immigration and is currently the managing member.

He is a also an active leader in the Arab American and local communities.

Helal Frahat will succeed former Judge Vonda Evans for a term expiring at noon on January 1, 2021.

Farhat is a member of the Arab American Political Action Committee (AAPAC) and sits on the board of directors of the Arab American Civil Rights League (ACRL). He is also the president of the non-profit Leaders Advancing and Helping Communities (LAHC); president of the Dearborn Bar Association; co-chair of BRIDGES, an ad hoc group of community leaders and law enforcement representatives; a board member of the Safe Substance Abuse Coalition and sat on the steering committee of the TAKE ON HATE campaign. Farhat currently serves as a magistrate in Dearborn’s 19th District Court.

Farhat told The Arab American News that he is grateful to Governor Whitmer for this appointment.