The Albany Law School community is deeply saddened by the loss of Professor Katheryn D. Katz.

Professor Katz, a member of the Class of 1970, was the first permanent Kate Stoneman Chair in Law and Democracy, from 2007 until her retirement in 2009. When she joined Albany Law School in 1975, she was one of only two women on the faculty.

Family and friends celebrated the life of Professor Katz at Albany Law School in the Dean Alexander Moot Courtroom on Saturday, June 16, which was followed by a reception.

An award-winning professor at the law school, Professor Katz taught one of the first domestic violence law courses in the nation, as well as other courses in the areas of constitutional law, family law, children in the law and women in the law. She was also a role model, inspiring and mentoring students and alumni alike.

Professor Katz published more than 30 articles and book chapters on family law and constitutional law, with research and publication interests including reproductive rights of minors, cloning and embryo donation. She received a Kate Stoneman Award in 1995.

Before joining the Albany Law faculty, Professor Katz was an assistant professor at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and she was the founding partner of Powers & Katz, one of the first female law firms in Upstate New York.

Contributions in Kathy’s memory may be directed to the Katheryn D. Katz Memorial Fund, which will support women and multicultural students at Albany Law School.