Conrad B. Duberstein
Encyclopedia
Conrad B. Duberstein was for many years the Chief Judge
of the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of New York. A decorated World War II
veteran, he became a partner at Otterbourg, Steindler, Houston & Rosen and chaired the firm's creditor's rights department before being nominated to the bench.
Born in Bronx, New York, Duberstein graduated from Brooklyn College
in 1938, and received a J.D.
from St. John's University School of Law
in 1942. He served in the United States Army
during World War II
, from 1943 to 1945, in the 91st Infantry Division of the 5th Army, serving in combat in Italy
. His military honors included a Bronze Star Medal
, a Purple Heart
, and a Combat Infantryman Badge
. Following the war, he was in private practice in the area of bankruptcy until 1981, first with Schwartz, Rudin and Duberstein, and then with Otterbourg, Steindler, Houston and Rosen. In 1981, he began his service in the federal bankruptcy court, where he was Chief Judge for over twenty years, from 1984 until his death, in 2005, in New York.
The Conrad B. Duberstein Moot Court Competition is named for him, and the Conrad B. Duberstein United States Bankruptcy Courthouse
was renamed in his honor in 2009.
Chief judge
Chief Judge is a title that can refer to the highest-ranking judge of a court that has more than one judge. The meaning and usage of the term vary from one court system to another...
of the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of New York. A decorated World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
veteran, he became a partner at Otterbourg, Steindler, Houston & Rosen and chaired the firm's creditor's rights department before being nominated to the bench.
Born in Bronx, New York, Duberstein graduated from Brooklyn College
Brooklyn College
Brooklyn College is a senior college of the City University of New York, located in Brooklyn, New York, United States.Established in 1930 by the New York City Board of Higher Education, the College had its beginnings as the Downtown Brooklyn branches of Hunter College and the City College of New...
in 1938, and received a J.D.
Juris Doctor
Juris Doctor is a professional doctorate and first professional graduate degree in law.The degree was first awarded by Harvard University in the United States in the late 19th century and was created as a modern version of the old European doctor of law degree Juris Doctor (see etymology and...
from St. John's University School of Law
St. John's University School of Law
St. John's University School of Law is a Roman Catholic law school in Queens, New York City, affiliated with St. John's University. The School of Law was founded in 1925, and confers Juris Doctor degrees and degrees for Master of Laws in Bankruptcy and Master of Laws in U.S. Studies. Over 13,000 St...
in 1942. He served in the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, from 1943 to 1945, in the 91st Infantry Division of the 5th Army, serving in combat in Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
. His military honors included a Bronze Star Medal
Bronze Star Medal
The Bronze Star Medal is a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration that may be awarded for bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious service. As a medal it is awarded for merit, and with the "V" for valor device it is awarded for heroism. It is the fourth-highest combat award of the...
, a Purple Heart
Purple Heart
The Purple Heart is a United States military decoration awarded in the name of the President to those who have been wounded or killed while serving on or after April 5, 1917 with the U.S. military. The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor is located in New Windsor, New York...
, and a Combat Infantryman Badge
Combat Infantryman Badge
The Combat Infantryman Badge is the U.S. Army combat service recognition decoration awarded to soldiers—enlisted men and officers holding colonel rank or below, who personally fought in active ground combat while an assigned member of either an infantry or a Special Forces unit, of brigade size...
. Following the war, he was in private practice in the area of bankruptcy until 1981, first with Schwartz, Rudin and Duberstein, and then with Otterbourg, Steindler, Houston and Rosen. In 1981, he began his service in the federal bankruptcy court, where he was Chief Judge for over twenty years, from 1984 until his death, in 2005, in New York.
The Conrad B. Duberstein Moot Court Competition is named for him, and the Conrad B. Duberstein United States Bankruptcy Courthouse
Federal Building and Post Office (New York, New York)
The U.S. Post Office and Courthouse is a historic main post office, courthouse, and Federal office building in Brooklyn, New York. It is a courthouse for the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, although it is across the street from and in the jurisdiction of the...
was renamed in his honor in 2009.
External links
- Towns Commemorates Conrad B. Duberstein, Renames Bankruptcy Courthouse in His Honor, March 21, 2009.
- Paid Death Notice, The New York Times, November 21, 2005.