Mayor de Blasio Appoints James M. Haddad to Queens Borough Public Library Board of Trustees

October 23, 2014

NEW YORK— Mayor Bill de Blasio announced his appointment of James M. Haddad to the Queens Borough Public Library Board of Trustees today. Haddad represents the Mayor’s third appointment to the Board, following his appointment of Jukay Hsu and Martha Baker earlier this year.

Haddad, a long-time Queens resident and well-respected litigation attorney, brings a strong record of community service and volunteerism to his new role. He is a member of the Association of the Bar of the City of New York, Forest Hills Civic Association, and New York Chapter of the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee. In addition, Haddad helped found the Kidz Care Junior Civic Association, and participated as a volunteer Little League coach with the Forest Hills Youth Athletic Association.

The Queens Library serves 2.3 million people from 62 locations, as well as seven Adult Learning Centers and two Family Literacy Centers. The library, guided by a 19-member board of trustees, circulates among the highest number of books and other library materials in the country, and is home to one of the largest collections in the United States. As a trustee, Haddad will join board members in overseeing library operations, finances, and governance.

About James M. Haddad

James M. Haddad is a graduate of Fordham Law School and Brown University. As a principal at the Law Office of James M. Haddad in New York City, he advises and represents clients on commercial litigation and insurance matters. Prior to his current role, his background includes extensive private law firm and corporate experience.

An active member of the Bar, Haddad has presented and written articles on a broad range of litigation and international torts issues. He serves as a fellow for the Center of International Legal Studies and is an immediate past member of the New York City Bar Association’s Committee on Commercial Law and Uniform State Laws. Haddad has served as a volunteer with the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, New York County Lawyers Association, and continues to provide pro bono legal assistance in his Forest Hills neighborhood.

In addition to his professional contributions, Haddad has been very involved in the community and civic life of Forest Hills. He is also an active parishioner and former Sunday school teacher at Our Lady of Lebanon Maronite Catholic Church.

He and his wife Shereen have raised four children in Queens, all of whom were avid users of the Queens Public Library.