Ronald M. Katz (Shareholder) born Gary, Indiana; admitted to bar, 1983, Indiana and U.S. Tax Court; 1984, District of Columbia. Education: Indiana University (B.S., 1980; J.D., 1983); Georgetown University (LL.M. in Taxation, 1985). RONALD M. KATZ, a co-founding partner of KATZ & KORIN, leads the firm's tax, business and estate planning practice. Mr. Katz's practice extensively involves contract negotiations, acquisitions and sales of existing businesses, and sports and entertainment law matters. He has served as an adjunct Professor of Law for the Indiana University School of Law Indianapolis (Real Estate Transactions) and, since 1993, has taught the Indiana Bar Review courses on Wills, Trusts and Administration, Real Property Law and Personal Property Law. Mr. Katz has lectured throughout the country and written extensively about creating and structuring affordable housing opportunities and other community development initiatives. He chaired the American Bar Association (ABA) Forum on Affordable Housing and Community Development Law in 2005-2006, and co-chaired the ABA Forum's annual continuing legal education conferences in 2000 and 2001 in Washington, D.C. He is the author of Housing and Development Forms and Commentary, a 1996 publication of West Group, and Housing Tax Credits in Indiana, a 1995 (2nd Edition) publication of METRO Publishing Co., Inc. In recent years Mr. Katz has devoted his "extracurricular" writing, research and teaching energies to local and national continuing legal education initiatives throughout the country relating to his areas of practice.
Mr. Katz is a member of the National Advisory Board of the West Group's Housing and Development Reporter (1994) and serves on the board of directors of the Indiana Equity Fund, Inc. (1992), which was created to provide several million dollars of equity assistance to smaller affordable housing communities in the State of Indiana. Mr. Katz served as General Counsel to the Indianapolis Bar Association (IBA) Board of Managers (2004) and currently serves as a Vice President of the IBA Board of Managers. Mr. Katz is an active member in several arts and civic organizations in the City of Indianapolis, including service as Secretary of the Board of Directors for the Coalition for Homelessness Intervention and Prevention of Greater Indianapolis, Inc. (CHIP), and as Chair of CHIP's Pipeline Committee.
Mr. Katz served as president of the Jewish Community Center Association of Indianapolis, a United Way agency, from 1995 to 1998, and, since 2003, has served on the Board of Directors for the Jewish Community Centers Association of North America. He is a 1997 recipient of the Jewish Federation of Greater Indianapolis' L.L. Goodman Leadership Award, and a 1991 recipient of the Jewish Community Center Martin L. Larner Leadership Development Award. He has been recognized as a life member of the National Registry of Who's Who, as a Distinguished Fellow of the Indianapolis Bar Foundation, a Fellow of the Indiana Bar Foundation and as a 2002 recipient of the Indianapolis Bar Association Dr. John Morton-Finney Excellence in Legal Education Award.
Mr. Katz is a graduate of the Indiana University School of Law Indianapolis and also holds a Masters of Law in Taxation degree from the Georgetown University Law Center, a certified public accountant license from the State of Maryland (1984) and has been admitted to practice in the District of Columbia. Mr. Katz can be reached via e-mail at rkatz@katzkorin.com. Practice Areas: Real Estate Development; Business Development; Housing and Community Development Law; Estate Planning and Administration.Email: Ronald M. Katz
Offer Korin (Shareholder) born Jerusalem, Israel; admitted to bar, 1988, Indiana, U.S. District Court, Northern and Southern Districts of Indiana and U.S. Court of Appeals, Fourth and Seventh Circuits; 1996, U.S. Supreme Court and U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois. Education: Indiana University (B.A., 1985; J.D., 1988). OFFER KORIN, a co-founding partner of KATZ & KORIN, heads the firm's litigation practice, concentrating on complex business disputes. His litigation experience includes client representation at every level of judicial review, from trial court to the United States Supreme Court. He represents clients in all Indiana State and Federal courts, the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, U.S. Fourth Circuit, U.S. Seventh Circuit and the United States Supreme Court, as well as other jurisdictions on a pro hac vice basis. Mr. Korin is also extensively involved in the firm's business planning practice and represents management, as well as employees in a variety of employment relations cases.
Mr. Korin has been honored as a 2005 Fellow of the Indiana Bar Foundation and as a Distinguished Fellow of the Indianapolis Bar Foundation. He is a member of the "Forty Under 40" class of 2004, as published in the Indianapolis Business Journal. Mr. Korin has also been recognized in several editions of Who's Who in American Law and is a graduate of the Indiana University School of Law Indianapolis. Mr. Korin is a frequent lecturer on professional ethics and litigation matters.
Mr. Korin is a member of the Local Rules Committee, United States District Court, Southern District of Indiana and a Past President of the Indianapolis Chapter of the Federal Bar Association. Mr. Korin is a life member and past President of the Board of the Jewish Community Relations Council and serves on the Board of the Hasten Hebrew Academy of Indianapolis. He is a 2005 recipient of the Jewish Federation of Greater Indianapolis' L.L. Goodman Leadership Award. Mr. Korin can be reached via e-mail at okorin@katzkorin.com. Practice Areas: Federal and State Civil Litigation; Business Planning and Transactions; Labor Law; Employee Relations; Intellectual Property Rights.Email: Offer Korin
Sally Franklin Zweig (Shareholder) born St. Louis, Missouri; admitted to bar, 1986, Indiana; U.S. Supreme Court; U.S. Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit. Education: Washington University (B.A., 1971); Indiana University (J.D., 1986). SALLY FRANKLIN ZWEIG concentrates her practice in complex commercial litigation and health care law. She also represents several clients with administrative and governmental contract concerns. Ms. Zweig leads the firm's health care practice, which includes provider entities, physicians and practice groups, with interest in regulatory compliance, risk management and defense, as well as affiliation and general business concerns. Her litigation practice has covered high tech and manufacturing concerns, corporate health care services and management organizations, as well as medical product and device manufacturers. Ms. Zweig has developed unusual experience in art law, having participated in the reclamation of valuable pieces of cultural patrimony that had been stolen in time of war. She continues to advise both artists and patrons on their unique legal concerns. Ms. Zweig received her B.A. degree in political science and English from Washington University in 1971 and her J.D. in 1986 from the Indiana University School of Law. She is admitted to practice in Indiana State and both Federal court districts, as well as the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals and the Bar of the Supreme Court of the United States. She is a member of the American, Indianapolis and Indiana Bar Associations. Ms. Zweig is the Chair and a charter member of the Indianapolis Inn of Court, and the President of the Board of Directors of the Indiana University Law School (Indianapolis) Alumni Association. She is also on the Board of Directors of the Legal Services Organization of Indiana and is an active member of the Defense Trial Counsel of Indiana and the Medical Device and Products Committee of the Defense Research Institute. She is a Distinguished Fellow of the Indianapolis Bar Foundation, a Fellow of the Aspen Institute Justice & Society Seminar (1997), a 2002 recipient of the Indianapolis Bar Association Dr. John Morton-Finney Excellence in Legal Education Award, and served as a panelist for the Oxford University Centre for Socio-Legal Studies' Social Justice and Economics Meeting (1998). Her community activities include appointment to the Executive Board of the Greater Indianapolis Progress Committee Board of Directors, the Board of Directors of the Indianapolis Art Center, the Board of Directors of At-Your-School Services and the Board of the Community Relations Council. Ms. Zweig can be reached via e-mail at szweig@katzkorin.com. Practice Areas: Federal and State Civil Litigation; Business Law; Products Liability Defense; Health Care; Medical Products; Technology; Art Law.Email: Sally Franklin Zweig
Michael W. Hile (Shareholder) born Goshen, Indiana; admitted to bar, 1985, Indiana and U.S. District Court, Northern and Southern Districts of Indiana; 1992, New York. Education: Andrews University (B.A., with honors, 1982); Indiana University (J.D., 1985). MICHAEL HILE concentrates his practice in the business reorganization and restructuring area. Mr. Hile has substantial transactional experience, generally in the context of chapter proceedings, including structured financing, opinion practice, derivative securities, mortgage-backed securities, mergers and acquisitions, workouts, securities offerings and debtor-in-possession financing. Mr. Hile represents debtors, creditors and other interest holders in Chapter 11 bankruptcy cases in both federal judicial districts in Indiana and throughout the country. He also has significant experience in commercial litigation and other business issues, and has lectured extensively on asset protection planning and other bankruptcy related issues. He received his B.A. degree in 1982 from Andrews University and his J.D. in 1985 from the Indiana University School of Law. He is a former law clerk to Judge Kearns of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Indiana. Prior to joining KATZ & KORIN in May 2001, Mr. Hile was a member of Johnson Smith, LLP and associated with Willkie Farr & Gallagher in its New York office. Mr. Hile can be reached via e-mail at mhile@katzkorin.com. Practice Areas: Bankruptcy Law; Corporate Restructuring Law.Email: Michael W. Hile
Michael J. Gabovitch (Shareholder) born Indianapolis, Indiana; admitted to bar, 1986, Indiana. Education: Indiana University (B.A., with distinction, 1983) Phi Beta Kappa; Indiana University School of Law (J.D., 1986). MICHAEL J. GABOVITCH concentrates his practice in real estate, business transactions and government relations, and leads the municipal finance and gaming law practice areas of the firm. His real estate experience spans the entire spectrum of representation from individual home buyers and sellers to our nation's largest retail real estate developer. Mr. Gabovitch has extensive experience in representing and working with governmental entities in urban redevelopment projects from the initial offering of property for public bid, through negotiations of developer commitments and governmental incentives to closing. His efforts have contributed to the successful redevelopment of a wide array of commercial and residential properties formerly regarded as blighted areas. Mr. Gabovitch has worked with state gaming authorities in negotiating local development agreements in connection with the development of new casinos. He has also represented national gaming operators in the state gaming licensing process. In the area of public finance, Mr. Gabovitch has counseled local school corporations and other government entities.
Mr. Gabovitch has served as the Chairman of the Indianapolis Bar Association's Government Practice Section. He is a volunteer Judge for Teen Court, a peer sentencing program for juvenile offenders. He also volunteers in the public schools to mentor children without a father figure in the home, and coaches youth basketball. Mr. Gabovitch serves on the Board of Directors of a not-for-profit nursing home.
Mr. Gabovitch received his B.A. degree, with distinction, in 1983 from Indiana University (Phi Beta Kappa). He earned his J.D. in 1986 from the Indiana University School of Law Indianapolis where he served as an editor of the Indiana Law Review.
Mr. Gabovitch can be reached via e-mail at mgabovitch@katzkorin.com. Practice Areas: Real Estate; Corporate; Municipal Finance.Email: Michael J. Gabovitch
Bernard Pylitt (Shareholder) born Chicago, Illinois; admitted to bar, 1975, Indiana; U.S. District Court, Northern and Southern Districts of Indiana, U.S. Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit and U.S. Supreme Court. Education: Indiana University (B.A., 1970); Indiana University School of Law - Indianapolis (J.D., 1975). BERNARD L. "BUDDY" PYLITT reentered the practice of law in early 2005 with our firm after serving as Judge of Hamilton County Superior Court No. 2 during 2004. During that time, Judge Pylitt presided over a wide variety of complex civil and criminal matters, including the settlement of the Trinity Homes class action mold lawsuit, cases of first impression involving the disposition of frozen embryos and a same sex custody adoption dispute. Mr. Pylitt brings a unique perspective to our firm, with over 30 years of experience as a County and Federal prosecutor, trial lawyer, Administrative Law Judge for three Indiana agencies, and Superior Court Judge. The focus of Mr. Pylitt's practice includes mediation/alternative dispute resolution, white collar criminal defense and complex Federal and State Court civil litigation. Mr. Pylitt has extensive experience representing both individuals and corporate clients investigated for committing federal and state crimes. He is also a fully Certified Civil Mediator in the State of Indiana and admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. He is a past President of the Indianapolis Chapter of the Federal Bar Association and was named a Sagamore of the Wabash by Governor Joseph Kernan in recognition of his service as an Administrative Law Judge for the Indiana Gaming Commission and the Indiana Horse Racing Commission. Mr. Pylitt has made presentations on a wide variety of topics at ICLEF programs. Following graduation from Indiana University with a Bachelors of Arts degree in 1970, Mr. Pylitt enrolled in the Indiana University School of Law at Indianapolis. His law school studies were interrupted by a two-year commitment to the United States Army where he served in the Judge Advocate General Corp at Fort Carson, Colorado. He was honorably discharged in 1973 and awarded the Army Commendation Medal. He resumed his studies and received his Doctor of Jurisprudence from Indiana University School of Law in 1975. Mr. Pylitt has served as President of the Hamilton County Sheriff Merit Board since 2006, appointed by the US District Court to the Board of Directors of Indiana Federal Community Defenders, Inc., and a former member of the Carmel Swim Club Board of Directors. He can be reached via e-mail at bpylitt@katzkorin.com. Practice Areas: Alternative Dispute Resolution; Mediation; Federal Litigation; White Collar Criminal Defense; State Government Law.Email: Bernard Pylitt
Michael J. Kerschner (Shareholder) born Chicago, Illinois; admitted to bar, 1992, Illinois and U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois; 1996, Indiana and U.S. District Court, Northern and Southern Districts of Indiana. Education: University of Illinois (B.S., Acct., 1988); Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago-Kent College of Law (J.D., with honors, 1992). MICHAEL J. KERSCHNER concentrates his practice in general corporate matters and business transactions, with an emphasis in the areas of affordable housing and community development, estate planning, probate administration, real estate, and commercial finance. He has particular interest in working with and representing homeowners associations regarding covenant enforcement, collections, and other legal issues.
Mr. Kerschner joined the firm in 1996 and advanced to the ownership ranks of the firm on January 1, 2002. Before joining KATZ & KORIN, he practiced in the Chicago area, representing clients in the area of corporate, tax, business and real estate transactions. He graduated with honors from IIT Chicago-Kent College of Law and has a B.S. in Accountancy from the University of Illinois. Mr. Kerschner has lectured on title law in Indiana, choice of entities, and the low-income housing tax credit program. Mr. Kerschner is an active volunteer in several charitable organizations, including acting as the 2004 and 2005 team captain for the KATZ & KORIN American Cancer Society Relay for Life team. Mr. Kerschner is on the board of directors and the president of Indianapolis Hebrew Congregation. He previously served as an officer (vice president and treasurer) and chaired numerous committees of the congregation. Mr. Kerschner can be reached via e-mail at mkerschner@katzkorin.com. Practice Areas: Housing and Urban Development Law; Estate Planning; Estate Administration; Real Estate Law.Email: Michael J. Kerschner
Cathleen L. Nevin (Shareholder) admitted to bar, 1984, California and U.S. District Court, Central District of California; 1999, Indiana and U.S. District Court, Southern and Northern Districts of Indiana. Education: University of California at Los Angeles (B.A., 1980); Santa Barbara College of Law (J.D., 1984). CATHLEEN NEVIN joined Katz & Korin in 2001. Her areas of practice include general civil and business litigation and employment law. She advises and represents employers and employees in employment discrimination, harassment, and retaliation under state and federal statutory provisions, including Title VII, FMLA, ADA and ADEA; tort and common law claims arising in the employment context; wage and hour issues and claims; workers' compensation; employment contracts, non-competition and confidentiality agreements and related unfair competition issues; workplace statutory requirements and compliance. Ms. Nevin regularly advises employers regarding day-to-day employment policies, practices and procedures. She assists employers in developing, drafting and implementing workplace practices and procedures, together with supervisor training. Ms. Nevin has substantial experience in administrative proceedings and litigation and trial experience in state and federal courts.
Ms. Nevin obtained her BA degree from the University of California-Los Angeles and her JD from Santa Barbara College of Law in 1984. She is licensed to practice in both Indiana and California.
Ms. Nevin serves on the Board of Directors for the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra and The Clear Lake Association, and she is an active volunteer in a number of community-based organizations. She is a regular speaker for various organizations and employers regarding employment law and related issues.
Ms. Nevin can be reached via e-mail at cnevin@katzkorin.com. Practice Areas: Employment Law.Email: Cathleen L. Nevin
Kristopher N. Kazmierczak (Shareholder) born Michigan City, Indiana; admitted to bar, 1996, Indiana and U.S. District Court, Northern and Southern Districts of Indiana; U.S. District Court, Central District of Illinois; U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio; U.S. District Court, Eastern and Western Districts of Michigan; U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Wisconsin; U.S. Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit. Education: Indiana University (B.A., 1992); Indiana University School of Law (J.D., 1996). KRISTOPHER N. KAZMIERCZAK joined the firm in 2003 after practicing for seven years, representing individuals and businesses as plaintiffs and defendants in civil litigation matters before Indiana's State and Federal Courts, and became a shareholder of the firm on January 1, 2008. Mr. Kazmierczak concentrates his practice in the areas of employment law, general civil litigation at the trial and appellate court levels and administrative law. He also possesses experience in the areas of constitutional law, civil rights, municipal liability, class action and mass-tort asbestos defense matters. He is a member of the Indianapolis American Inn of Court, serving as a Barrister, and a member of the Federal Bar Association. Mr. Kazmierczak can be reached at kkaz@katzkorin.com. Practice Areas: Business Litigation; Employment Litigation; Employment Law; Federal Civil Litigation; Civil Litigation.Email: Kristopher N. Kazmierczak
Thomas G. Burroughs (Shareholder) admitted to bar, 1990, Indiana; 1991, Illinois. Education: Indiana University (B.S., cum laude, 1987); Indiana University School of Law (J.D., summa cum laude, 1990). THOMAS G. BURROUGHS concentrates his practice in general corporate matters, real estate, business transactions and commercial litigation. He has assisted in the transfer of real estate in connection with the establishment of a real estate investment trust, represented buyers and sellers of developed and undeveloped real estate, and assisted both buyers and sellers of businesses. He became a shareholder of the firm on January 1, 2008. As a litigator, Mr. Burroughs has represented parties in environmental litigation, securities litigation, and complex business litigation involving the purchase and sale of businesses, stock and real estate. He has also represented debtors, creditors and creditor committees in chapter 11 reorganizations. Mr. Burroughs was formerly the general counsel for Do It Best Corp. As general counsel, he negotiated and drafted a variety of agreements ranging from distribution contracts to licensing agreements and marketing agreements. He also advised executive management on general corporate matters. Mr. Burroughs received his B.A. degree, cum laude, in 1987 from Indiana University, and passed all four (4) parts of the uniform certified public accountants examination on his first sitting in 1987. Mr. Burroughs earned his J.D. degree, summa cum laude, in 1990 from the Indiana University School of Law Indianapolis where he served as a Note Development Editor on the Indiana Law Review. Mr. Burroughs has written numerous articles for publications and seminars on a wide variety of business topics. Mr. Burroughs was admitted to the Indiana Bar in 1990 and the Illinois Bar in 1991. Mr. Burroughs is active in the community and coaches youth baseball. He can be reached via e-mail at tburroughs@katzkorin.com. Practice Areas: Business; Litigation.Email: Thomas G. Burroughs
OF COUNSEL
Christine K. Jacobson (Of Counsel) born Bremen, Indiana; admitted to bar, 1992, Indiana and U.S. District Court, Northern and Southern Districts of Indiana. Education: Indiana University (B.S., high distinction, 1982); Georgetown University (J.D., cum laude, 1992). CHRISTINE K. JACOBSON joined the firm in September, 2008 in an "Of Counsel" capacity. She received her undergraduate degree from Indiana University and her J.D. (cum laude) from Georgetown University Law Center. Chris represents creditors and debtors in commercial work-out bankruptcy matters, and related commercial litigation. Chris has also represented borrowers and lenders in commercial loan transactions, including real estate and asset-based lending transactions. She has experience in receiverships, foreclosures and related collection proceedings. Before entering the field of law, Chris practiced as a certified public accountant for Ernst and Whinney in New York City. She later worked as an internal auditor and financial analyst for Bristol Myers Company, also in New York City. Chris has been an active participant in the Indianapolis community. She served on the Executive Committee for the Women in the Law Section and an ad hoc CLE Committee for the Indianapolis Bar Association, and is currently a member of the Indianapolis and Indiana Bar Associations and is an Indy-Crew member. She currently serves as co-chair of the Indiana Chapter of the International Women's Insolvency Restructuring Confederation. Chris enjoys community involvement and has served on several boards, including Breaking Free, Inc., Master Scholars, Inc., Families with Children from China Indiana, Inc., and Broadway United Methodist Church. She has served as a Brownie Troop Leader, the World of Hope Gala for ChildVision, Inc., and the Circle of Stars Gymnastics Invitational. Chris can be reached via e-mail at cjacobson@katzkorin.com. Member: Indianapolis and Indiana State Bar Associations. Practice Areas: Commercial Law; Creditors Rights; Real Estate; Finance.Email: Christine K. Jacobson
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Ronald G. Sentman (Associate) admitted to bar, 1984, Indiana and U.S. District Court, Southern and Northern Districts of Indiana. Education: Indiana University (A.B., Journalism, 1972); Indiana University School of Law-Bloomington (J.D., cum laude, 1984). RONALD G. SENTMAN has more than nineteen years of experience in complex commercial and civil litigation at both the trial and appellate court levels and in both state and federal court. Mr. Sentman concentrates his practice in civil litigation of all kinds and has represented clients in cases involving such varied matters as contracts, fraud, shareholder disputes, partner disputes, product liability, FDCPA defense, trade disparagement, asbestos defense, commercial loan disputes, commercial construction disputes, trade secrets, employment disputes, attorney malpractice defense and accountant malpractice defense. Mr. Sentman received his B.A. degree and also his J.D. degree (cum laude) from Indiana University. During law school, he was a staff member of the Indiana Law Journal. He is admitted in all Indiana state courts as well as the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit and the U.S. District Courts for the Northern and Southern Districts of Indiana. Mr. Sentman can be reached via e-mail at rsentman@katzkorin.com. Practice Areas: Commercial Litigation; Litigation.Email: Ronald G. Sentman
Linda L. Vitone (Associate) born Nazareth, Pennsylvania; admitted to bar, 2002, Indiana; registered to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Education: Moravian College (B.S., 1990); Indiana University School of Law (J.D., 2002). LINDA L. VITONE joined the firm after graduating from Indiana University School of Law at Indianapolis in May 2002. She received a B.S. in Chemistry from Moravian College in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania in 1990, and worked for nine years as a practicing organic chemist before deciding to attend law school. Ms. Vitone is registered with the U. S. Patent and Trademark Office as a patent attorney. She can be reached via e-mail at lvitone@katzkorin.com.Email: Linda L. Vitone
(All Attorneys are members of the Indianapolis, Indiana State and American Bar Associations).