Laurel M. Isicoff Becomes Federal Bankruptcy Judge in Southern District of Florida; United States 11th Circuit Court of Appeals Names Kozyak Tropin & Throckmorton Partner To Expanded Bench.

MIAMI -- Becomes First Woman Bankruptcy Judge In The Southern District Of Florida

The United States 11th Circuit Court of Appeals has appointed Laurel M. Isicoff as bankruptcy judge in the Southern District of Florida. She is the first woman to be named to the post. Mrs. Isicoff was sworn in yesterday to begin her 14-year term on the Court, which was recently expanded from five to seven members.

Based in Miami, Fla., the Southern District of Florida Bankruptcy Court presides over bankruptcy matters filed in nine Florida counties ranging from Indian River County to Monroe County.

Mrs. Isicoff joins the Court following more than two decades as a bankruptcy law practitioner, 14 years of which have been with Miami law firm Kozyak Tropin & Throckmorton. For the past nine years, Mrs. Isicoff has been a partner in the firm, where she has specialized in bankruptcy law, distressed property workouts, commercial mortgage foreclosures and commercial landlord/tenant litigation. Mrs. Isicoff is the firm's second partner to join the federal bench in recent years. Former partner Paul C. Huck, currently a United States District Judge in the Southern District of Florida, was appointed to the Court in 2000.

John W. Kozyak, senior bankruptcy partner at Kozyak Tropin & Throckmorton, said, "During the 14 years that Laurel has been with our firm, she has demonstrated exceptional professional ability and a deep commitment to the legal profession. While we will miss her expertise, we know full well that Laurel will distinguish herself as a fine judge for years to come."

Mrs. Isicoff, a native of New York, earned her law degree from the University of Miami School of Law, where she graduated with honors in 1982. She was admitted to the Florida Bar in 1982, and has practiced bankruptcy law in Florida since 1984.

Mrs. Isicoff, who was recently selected to become a Fellow of the American College of Bankruptcy, has gained national recognition for her professional achievements and expertise. In 2005, Best Lawyers In America named her as one of the country's top bankruptcy attorneys, marking her fourth consecutive appearance in the publication, dating back to 2002. Likewise, Chambers USA recently included Mrs. Isicoff in its listing of "America's Leading Lawyers for Business."

Complementing her work at Kozyak Tropin & Throckmorton, Mrs. Isicoff is active in professional as well as civic organizations in South Florida and elsewhere. In addition to having served as president of the Bankruptcy Bar Association of the Southern District of Florida and Director of the Florida Association of Women Lawyers in past years, Mrs. Isicoff is an active member of the American Bar Association, American Bankruptcy Institute, University of Miami School of Law Center for Ethics and Public Service, Cuban American Bar Association and the Gwen S. Cherry Black Women Lawyers Association. Mrs. Isicoff has also served as a board member of Miami's Bet Shira Congregation for more than ten years. Mrs. Isicoff is often called upon to speak before national and regional professional and business organizations.

The United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Florida is one of the nation's busiest bankruptcy courts. Seven bankruptcy judges are chambered in the Southern District of Florida, and there are three court locations which have more than 100 employees.

Kozyak Tropin & Throckmorton (http://www.kttlaw.com) is a 20-lawyer firm that concentrates on complex commercial litigation and bankruptcy matters. Founded more than 20 years ago, the firm has played a key role in many major cases in Florida and nationwide. The firm has been recognized frequently for its pro bono work and for promoting diversity in the legal profession and in the community.