Zuhair Al-Maliki is a former chief investigative judge of the central criminal court of Iraq, the main court in the post-Saddam Iraqi legal system. He served as an Investigative Judge with the Central Criminal Court of Iraq beginning shortly after the invasion and was elevated to Chief Judge by Paul Bremer in 2004. Today, Judge Zuhair is a legal advisor concentrating on finance and rule of law issues in Iraq.

Judge Zuhair was born in Baghdad in 1966. He attended Baghdad University where he received his Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature. From 1988 until 1999 Judge Zuhair worked successively as a Translator for the United Nations Iran-Iraq Military Observation Group, a Foreign Relations Administrator for the Arab Union Scientific Research Council and as an Administrator for the Arab Federation Food Industry. After successful careers in both government and private industry, Judge Zuhair returned to Baghdad University to attend law school.

After graduating, he started a succesful law practice, and  participated in drafting the first law for consumer protection in Iraq.  In 2003, after the Coalition invasion of Iraq, Judge Zuhair was selected as an Investigative Judge with the Central Criminal Courts of Iraq.  The next year he was elevated by Ambassador Bremer to be the Chief Judge. For Iraq at that time, Judge Zuhair was the perfect candidate: idealistic, ethical, academic and enthusiastic.

Never did Judge Zuhair shirk away from the difficult cases. For example, in 2004 he issued an arrest warrant for several corrupt government officials and was committed to defending  human rights after the war.  Despite several assassination attempts, public smear campaigns and other nefarious actions, Judge Zuhair has never compromised his ideals. He remains resolute and steadfast that the Iraqi legal system must be built upon an ethical legal foundation beholden only to the rule of law. He worked on re-establishing the military justice system in the new Iraqi Army and participated in drafting the new Military Penal law.Today, he continues to push an increasingly difficult agenda as a National Attorney for the Rule of Law Provincial Reconstruction Team. He also is a legal advisor at the Iraqi Ministry of Finance.

This fall, Wolfman Productions is proud to present Judge Zuhair for college lecture appearances.He will be appearing with his friend and colleague, photojournalist Lorna Tychostup. Zuhair Al-Maliki offers a unique insider's perspective on Iraq's turbulent history, and the challenges and promises of the future.This is an evening on Iraq that offers a perspective you will find nowhere else, and will have attendees re-examining their views on the region.Lorna and Zuhair are passionate about their love of the Iraqi people, and honest about the struggles and hardships they have seen. Their stories will stay with you, and help put a human face on Iraq and its people.

Click here to visit Lorna's page.