Fareed M. Haddad has been a workers’ compensation defense attorney since 1981. Judges, colleagues and peers hold him in high esteem. Mr. Haddad most recently was a co-managing partner at the law firm of Samuelsen, Gonzalez, Valenzuela & Sorkow, where he worked for nine years, and represented various insurance carriers, public entities, and self-insured employers. He handled a complex caseload. He was always cognizant of the importance of expeditious, proactive and professional representation of clients. While always realizing that a prompt resolution of cases was important, he took numerous cases to trial, resulting in favorable decisions. In a memorable case, he received a “take nothing” judgment after a 13-day trial where the applicant turned down a substantial settlement offer. He had always availed himself to case handlers, supervisors, claims managers and employers to provide legal advice or to give formal lectures.
Mr. Haddad worked as house council for Fremont Compensation Insurance Company between 1984 and 1991. For the last three years at Fremont, he was managing attorney of the workers’ compensation and subrogation departments. In that capacity, he handled a large and varied caseload and also managed nine attorneys. He interacted with employers and brokers on a regular basis. Mr. Haddad started his employment in this field at the State Compensation Insurance Fund where he worked three years, first in Sacramento and then in Los Angeles. He has represented employers on Serious and Willful claims as well as those pertaining to discriminatory conduct under Labor Code Section 132a. He has served as a pro tem Judge in the Los Angeles, Norwalk, and Santa Monica Workers’ Compensation Appeals Boards.
Fareed M. Haddad received his Bachelor of Arts degree, summa cum laude, at California State University, Fresno. He received his Masters degree, with honors, at the University of California, Santa Barbara, where he also completed all coursework towards a Ph.D., before going to law school in 1977. Mr. Haddad received his Juris Doctor from the University of Pacific, McGeorge School of Law in 1980 where he ranked second in the school’s oral argument competition. Mr. Haddad was admitted to practice in California in 1981.
Mr. Haddad enjoys reading and playing chess, and for the latter of these activities, he has won numerous trophies. He has been married for more than 25 years and has two children, who are also flourishing academically.
