Saturday, March 21, 2009

Towns Commemorates Conrad B. Duberstein, Renames Bankruptcy Courthouse in His Honor

U.S. Rep. Edolphus “Ed” Towns (NY-10) honored the late Judge Conrad B. Duberstein today at a 9:00 a.m. naming ceremony for the United States Bankruptcy Courthouse, located at 217 Cadman Plaza East in Brooklyn.

Rep. Towns passed legislation in the 110th Congress to name the courthouse after Judge Duberstein, and this event was the culmination of that effort.

Presenting the late Honorable Conrad B. Duberstein’s family with a framed copy of the law, Towns stated, “I had the honor of knowing Judge Duberstein, and I can tell you that he dedicated his life to pursuing justice. A man of great integrity and exceptional intellect, he worked tirelessly to make a difference,” said Towns.

The Honorable Conrad B. Duberstein, affectionately known as “Connie,” was born in Bronx, New York. He dropped out of school to support his family at the age of 17. He later returned to college, earning an undergraduate degree from Brooklyn College in 1938 and a Juris Doctorate from St. John’s University Law School. Admitted to the Bar of the state on New York in 1942, Judge Duberstein practiced bankruptcy law until his entry into the United States Armed Forces in 1943.

During his service in the infantry, Duberstein was wounded in action and received the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star Medal, three Battle Stars, and the Combat Infantry Badge. After leaving the Army following World War II, Duberstein joined the Brooklyn law firm of Schwartz, Rudin and Duberstein. He would later become a partner at Otterbourg, Steindler, Houston and Rosen, where he remained until his retirement until 1981.

In 1981, Duberstein was appointed to the Eastern District Bankruptcy Court of New York. Judge Duberstein was later appointed Chief Judge in 1984, a position he held for the remainder of his career.

Judge Duberstein was awarded an honorary doctorate of law from St. John’s University, and a moot bankruptcy court competition was created by the American Bankruptcy Institute to honor him. The Honorable Judge Conrad B. Duberstein is widely regarded as an important figure in bankruptcy law by many around the country.