Press Release

THREE COHEN AND WOLF, P.C. LAWYERS SELECTED TO RECEIVE PRESTIGIOUS NEW LEADERS OF THE LAW AWARDS

BRIDGEPORT, CT, November 12, 2003 - The Fairfield County-based law firm of Cohen and Wolf, P.C. is pleased to announce that Stuart M. Katz, Monte E. Frank and Ari J. Hoffman will be honored at a reception on Saturday, November 15, 2003, for their outstanding contributions to the community and the legal profession. 

Hosted by the Connecticut Law Tribune and attended by the State's legal community, the 2003 New Leaders of the Law Awards program will be held at the Mashantucket Pequot Museum.  The program honors Connecticut lawyers who demonstrate leadership, innovation and dedication within their profession and communities. 

"The firm is immensely proud of the efforts that Stuart, Monte and Ari have made to further the goals and interests of the community and the legal profession," stated Irving J. Kern, managing partner of Cohen and Wolf, P.C.  Kern added, "It is gratifying to know that their significant efforts will be recognized outside the firm." 

Stuart M. Katz will be presented with a New Leaders of the Law Community Contributions Award.  Resident in the firm's Bridgeport office, Mr. Katz practices in the areas of employment law, commercial litigation and criminal defense with an emphasis on representing employers of all sizes in defending discrimination and harassment suits and prosecuting breach of contract and business tort claims.  He coordinates the training and professional development of the firm's Litigation associates and co-chairs the firm's summer associate program. 

Mr. Katz is a graduate of Brandeis University (B.A., cum laude) and Boston University School of Law, where he served as articles editor of the American Journal of Law and Medicine.  He is a member of the American Bar Association, Connecticut Bar Association, Greater Bridgeport Bar Association, Connecticut Employment Lawyers Association, and Connecticut Criminal Defense Lawyers Association. 

Mr. Katz has devoted countless hours to a variety of community service activities.  He has been involved with the Anti-Defamation League in several capacities, serving currently as a member of the Connecticut Regional Board Executive Committee and as an associate national commissioner.  On behalf of ADL, Mr. Katz has spoken to dozens of groups over the past 10 years on topics ranging from "Hate Crimes in Connecticut" to "Combating Anti-Semitism on College Campuses."  In recognition of these efforts, he received the Connecticut ADL Distinguished Service Award in 1994 and, in 1997, was one of three individuals nationwide to receive the ADL's Daniel Ginsburg Leadership Award, which is awarded annually to exemplary young leaders at the ADL National Commission Meeting. 

Mr. Katz is also an active member of Temple Beth Sholom in Hamden.  He currently serves as membership vice president and recently completed service as the Congregation's By-Laws Committee chair, overseeing a major re-haul of the synagogue's Constitution and By-Laws. On a pro bono basis, Mr. Katz represented the temple in securing a state license for its nursery school. 

Mr. Katz has served as a member of the Town of Hamden's Human Rights and Relations Commission which is committed to promoting diversity and dialogue among Hamden's residents, and has been actively involved with the Jewish Federation of Greater New Haven as well.  In addition to these community activities, he has also sought to provide pro bono representation to individuals in need.  Mr. Katz has accepted appointment by the U.S. District Court on behalf of the plaintiff in an excessive force case that he tried to a jury in 1994, and has accepted referrals from Connecticut Legal Services and the AIDS Legal Network of Connecticut. 

Monte E. Frank will be presented with a New Leaders of the Law Overall Achievement in Fairfield County Award.  Resident in the firm's Danbury office, Mr. Frank concentrates his practice in the areas of commercial litigation and municipal law.  In this regard, he has distinguished himself as a young attorney.  Mr. Frank practices in both the Superior Court and the District Court. He has also appeared before state agencies including the Connecticut Siting Council, where he represented the Towns of Weston, Wilton and Redding in connection with CL&P's recent controversial transmission line application in Fairfield County.  Mr. Frank has argued before the Appellate Court and the Supreme Court on numerous occasions. 

He is a graduate of Cornell University (B.A., magna cum laude) and Cornell Law School, where he received the Cornell National Scholars Award and was one of twenty seniors selected to be a member of the Quill and Dagger Senior Honor Society. 

Mr. Frank is a member of the American Bar Association, Connecticut Bar Association, and the Greater Danbury Bar Association.  He is currently the president of the Danbury Bar.  Since 2000, Mr. Frank has served as an attorney trial referee, factfinder and arbitrator for the Judicial District of Danbury. 

Mr. Frank has also devoted a great deal of time to the community.  He was a big brother and served on the Board of Directors of Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Southwestern Connecticut.  In 1997, Mr. Frank was awarded the organization's Attorney Volunteer of the Year Award. He is currently the president of Maimonides Academy, a private school in Danbury.  From 1997-1999, Mr. Frank served as recording secretary of the Ridgefield Democratic Town Committee.  He is a member of Trial Lawyers Care and is currently representing an individual in connection with the 9/11 Victims' Compensation Fund on a pro bono basis. 

Mr. Frank is the founder and captain of Team Randy, a cycling team comprising 19 cyclists who ride in the Pan-Mass Challenge.  To date, Team Randy has raised over $100,000 for the Jimmy Fund. 

Ari J. Hoffman will be presented with a New Leaders of the Law Rookie Achievement Award.  Resident in the firm's Bridgeport office, Mr. Hoffman focuses his practice in the areas of commercial litigation and securities law.  He practices in both the Superior Court and the District Court, and also represents clients in matters before the NASD. Mr. Hoffman represents both corporate and individual clients. 

Mr. Hoffman is a graduate of Brandeis University (B.A., magna cum laude) and Boston College Law School.  He is a member of the American Bar Association, the Connecticut Bar Association and the Bridgeport Bar Association. 

Since he began practicing law in 2000, Mr. Hoffman has distinguished himself as a community activist.  He serves on the Board of Directors of the Jewish Center for Community Services and is chair of its Young Leadership Committee.  In addition, Mr. Hoffman serves on the Boards of Seymour Hollander House, Ezra Academy and Congregation Rodeph Sholom in Bridgeport, where he is an active member of its Budget and Search Committees. 

Founded in 1951, the law firm of Cohen and Wolf, P.C. has more than 35 lawyers and maintains offices in Bridgeport, Danbury, and Westport, Connecticut.  The firm represents commercial and individual clients in the areas of commercial litigation, real estate, land use and zoning, banking, corporate and securities law, taxation, employment and labor, criminal law, estate planning, family law and personal injury.