EDUCATION:

• (1962) J.D., University of San Diego School of Law, San Diego, California

• (1957-1958) Graduate Work in Education leading to Lifetime General Secondary Education Credential - California

• (1956) B.A., California State University, San Diego, California

JUDICIAL EXPERIENCE:

(1972-1983) Chief Judge, Appointed Unites States Bankruptcy Court Judge for the Southern District of California. While serving as a United States Bankruptcy, Judge Katz was one of the original five Judges appointed by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals to the nation’s first Bankruptcy Appellate Panel to hear appeals from decisions of bankruptcy courts.

ADR AND LEGAL CAREER:

• (2003- Present) Full-time Mediator & Arbitrator

• (2000-2003) Kelly Lytton & Vann, LLP Partner, Los Angeles, California - Partner

• (1997-2000) Nelson Gullen Bronson & Katz, LLP Partner, Los Angeles, California - Partner

• (1994-1997) Gilchrist & Rutter, Santa Monica, California of Counsel - of Counsel

• (1991-1994) Stroock & Stroock & Lavan Partner, Los Angeles, California - Partner

• (1984-1991) Gendel, Raskoff, Shapiro & Quittner Partner, Los Angeles, California - Partner

• (1983-1984) Reavis & McGrath Partner, Los Angeles, California - Partner

• (1963-1972) Hinchy, Katz, Witte, Wood & Anderson Founding, San Diego, California - Partner

ADMISSIONS:

• United States Supreme Court

• Ninth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals

• District Courts for Central, Eastern, Northern and Southern Districts of California

• District Court of Arizona

• State Bar of California, January 1963

AREAS OF EXPERTISE:

Throughout his career, Judge Katz has represented debtors, creditors, creditors committees, indenture trustees and trustees in Chapter 11 reorganizations and Chapter 7 liquidations of businesses involved in real estate, hotels, retail, restaurants, refineries and manufacturing operated by corporations, partnerships and individuals. Judge Katz has handled all phases of  reorganization including plan negotiation and drafting, litigation and appellate work and out-of court workouts and assignments for benefit of creditors.

In addition to bankruptcy and reorganization, Judge Katz serves as an experienced mediator and arbitrator in the areas of commercial law, creditor/debtor rights and bankruptcy, general business, real estate, partnership and corporate issues, and complex civil litigation.

ADR TRAINING:

Completed training by Association of Attorney Mediators and Los Angeles County Bar Mediation Program.

HONORS / AWARDS AND PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS / AFFILIATIONS:

• Honored by University of San Diego School of Law as “Outstanding Alumnus in 1973”

• Honored by the Los Angeles Bar Association for “Outstanding Leadership in 2002”

• Advisory Committee on Bankruptcy Rules, Judicial Conference, United States Courts 1980-1983

• Judicial Improvement Subcommittee Court Administration Committee, Judicial Conference, United States Courts 1980-1983

• Advisory Committee to Director, Administrative Office, United States Courts 1978-1983; Chair 1980

• Advisory Committee to Abt & Associates, U.S. Trustee Evaluation for Justice Department 1982

• Bankruptcy Appellate Panel, Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals 1979-1983 (Original Member)

• Chief Bankruptcy Judges Conferences, Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals 1978-1983

• Advisory Committee on Bankruptcy, Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals 1981-1983

• Fellow, American College of Bankruptcy, National Bankruptcy Conference, the American Bankruptcy Institute, National Conference of Bankruptcy Judges, Association of Former Bankruptcy Judges, Financial Lawyers Conference, and Bankruptcy Forum

• Member, Los Angles County Bar Association - Bankruptcy Committee of the Commercial Law and Bankruptcy Section 1990-1993; 1996; Chair 2003-2004
   

• Chair, Beverly Hills Bar Association Bankruptcy Section 1989-1990

• Panelist, Attorney Fee Dispute Arbitration Panel

• Panelist, Los Angeles County Superior Court Mediation Panel and the United States Bankruptcy Court, Central District of California; Settlement Panel, Court of Appeals

MILITARY SERVICE:

During the Korean War, Judge Katz served in the United States Navy as a medical corpsman with the United States Marine Corp.

TEACHING EXPERIENCE: