Barclay Damon announces Mitch Katz has been appointed magistrate judge for the US District Court for the Northern District of New York presiding in Syracuse, effective January 2024. Katz succeeds retired Chief Magistrate Judge Andrew Baxter.
During his tenure at Barclay Damon, Katz served as Commercial Litigation Practice Group leader, pro bono partner, and was an active member of the firm’s Diversity Partner Committee. The firm’s associates considered him a go-to partner and mentor and often sought him out for advice and guidance on legal writing, practical litigation skills, and overall professional development.
Katz is a past-president of the Federal Court Bar Association for the Northern District of New York, a member of the Onondaga County Bar Association, and has held various leadership positions within the New York State Bar Association, including Membership Committee co-chair, Commercial and Federal Litigation Section chair, and co-chair of the Commercial Division Committee of the Commercial and Federal Litigation Section. Additionally, he is a fellow of the New York Bar Foundation and is a permanently appointed member of the Chief Judge of the State of New York Advisory Council on the Commercial Division.
Katz’s outstanding client service has earned him recognition by Best Lawyers, Super Lawyers Upstate New York, and Martindale-Hubbell. He has also served on the board of directors for the Onondaga County Volunteer Lawyers Project, Inc. and as board of trustees president for Syracuse Habitat for Humanity.
Katz said, “I’m thrilled to step into this new role. After more than three decades serving clients, I am excited to enter into public service.” He continued, “I’m incredibly grateful for the relationships I’ve forged at Barclay Damon, and it is with a heavy heart that I say goodbye to my colleagues and clients at the firm. However, I’m looking forward to my role as a magistrate judge, and I know I am leaving my clients in excellent hands as I wrap up my private practice.”
Connie Cahill, Barclay Damon’s managing partner, said, “From his original time with the firm years ago to more recently, Mitch has become a deeply respected partner, and his outstanding service in various leadership roles has made a lasting impact. We’re particularly grateful for Mitch’s excellent training and mentoring of our associates throughout the firm. It’s been a privilege having him on our team, and we congratulate him on such an impressive appointment that involves work that’s critical to the community. We’ll miss seeing him every day, but know the people of the Northern District will be well served by Mitch in his new role.”
“Mitch is a dedicated leader and has a strong commitment to serving the public,” said David Burch, managing director of Barclay Damon’s Syracuse office. “I can confidently speak for everyone in the Syracuse office and Commercial Litigation Practice Group when I say that we’ve enjoyed working with Mitch. I’m certain he will be a fair and just magistrate judge and will keep the community’s best interests top of mind.”
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