ADC Welcomes Attorney Samer Khalaf as National President
Washington, DC | www.adc.org | December 4, 2013 – The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) is proud to announce today the appointment of Mr. Samer Khalaf, Esq. to serve as ADC National President. Mr. Khalaf will leave his current position of senior associate with the New York law firm of Barnes Iaccarino & Shepherd, LLP., specializing in union-side labor law and ERISA. He received his BA in political science from Virginia Commonwealth University and his JD with a Certificate in Law and Public Policy from The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. He is admitted to practice in New Jersey, Maryland, District of Columbia, US District Court for the District of NJ, and the US Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.
Mr. Khalaf served as the Interim ADC Legal Director in 1997, and was an intern with the organization in 1996. Mr. Khalaf becomes the first ADC Intern to return to the organization as President – a testament to the organizations commitment to the development of young and future leaders. Mr. Khalaf recently served as a member of the National Board of the ADC. Since 2006, Mr. Khalaf has been a member of the Board of Directors of The Arab-American Family Support Center and served as its Board Chair. He also served as a member of the Arab-American Institute (AAI) National Policy Council and is the co-founder and co-chair of the NJ Arab-American Democratic Caucus.
In 2008, Mr. Khalaf had the honor of being appointed by the New Jersey Governor as a founding Commissioner to the NJ Arab American Heritage Commission. In addition he was also appointed by the governor to two state advisory committees, the NJ Advisory Committee on Police Standards and the NJ Blue Ribbon Advisory Council on Immigration Policy. Mr. Khalaf was an Alternate Delegate to the 2008 Democratic National Convention. Additionally, he has been involved in other organizations in various capacities including: Mental Health Association in Passaic County; TANWEER – The Arab-American Family Center of NJ; and St. Marks Syrian Orthodox Cathedral. He was also a member of the NJ Attorney Generals Arab and Muslim Advisory Committee.
Mr. Khalaf stated, “I am honored to be selected to lead an organization which has helped mold me into who I am today. ADC is an integral part of our community, and a voice for all Arab Americans. I recognize that the organization has faced serious challenges the past few months. I take this position with an open mind and a willingness to listen to those who have advice on how to better the organization. I look forward to serving the community, and moving ADC forward.”
Board Chairman Dr. Safa Rifka states, “The ADC National Board of Directors is delighted that Mr. Khalaf has agreed to serve as President of the organization. We have complete confidence in his ability to lead the organization, and further ADC’s essential mission of defending the rights of people of Arab descent and promoting their rich, cultural heritage “