Class of 1979

Edward M. Nahhat

Litigation Attorney with Award from the State Bar of Michigan

Professional Actor, Playwright and Producer

Founder and CEO of Water Works Theatre Company

Inducted into Royal Oak High School Hall of Fame, 2014

Edward Nahhat attended Royal Oak Schools: Franklin, Northwood, Addams and Kimball. He graduated from Kimball High School in 1979. While in high school, one could predict that there was a future for Ed on the stage, and maybe even get a clue that he would enter the law profession. Ed emceed the performances of both the dance club and swim club. He was very active in the choir and the thespians. Ed Nahhat was president and the most Notable Knight from the A’Cappella Choir. In The Sound of Music he sang, as Rolf to Liesl, about being 16 going on 17. Ed wrote for the school newspaper, the Hearld, and in the play, Front Page, he played the part of a reporter who took on the task of getting an innocent man out of a death sentence.

Ed Nahhat received a bachelor of fine arts degree at Wayne State University and followed that up with a law degree, also from Wayne State. For over 20 years Mr. Nahhat has been a successful adviser and litigator in a wide range of legal matters. He has frequently been called upon to help restrain the government or defend the innocent. He has counseled start-up and growing businesses and resolved issues involving real estate. Mr. Nahhat’s clients range from celebrities to the homeless, with most being somewhere in between. His clients have indicated that they trust him and appreciate his commitment to strong client service and confidentially. In 2006, Ed Nahhat was the recipient of the John Hensel Award from the State Bar of Michigan for his significant contributions to the arts community. He is a member of the Macomb County and Oakland County Bar associations and the recipient of a Service Commendation in 2012.

As an actor Ed Nahhat has appeared in several motion pictures, many commercials and dozens of professional theatre productions. As a playwright his works have been produced in New York, Milwaukee and Ann Arbor. In 2001 Mr. Nahhat founded the award winning Water Works Theatre Company, a non-profit professional company that provides career growth opportunities for local artists. As the executive director he presents the annual Shakespeare in the Park here in Royal Oak, along with educational workshops for children. In 2011, Mr. Nahatt became the associate producer and legal counsel to Ernie, the play written by Mitch Album and performed in downtown Detroit.