Katheryn D. Katz ’70 Lecture
The Katheryn D. Katz ’70 Lecture Series focuses on the family law topics that Professor Katz made central to her teaching, including domestic violence, gender and the law, children and the law, reproductive rights, and inequality. Established in 2014 by Professor Katz's daughter Elizabeth "Betsy" Katz and son Professor Michael Katz, along with his wife Jennifer M. Hobart, this yearly series not only highlights remarkable professionals focused on family law, but also remembers Professor Katz for her work in these areas. Albany Law is extremely grateful for the generous contributions of the Katz family, friends, and colleagues, whose contributions endow this lecture series.
Past Lectures
2023
The End of Family Court
Jane M. Spinak, Edward Ross Aranow Clinical Professor Emerita of Law at Columbia Law School - VIDEO; PHOTOS
2022
Remote Reproductive Rights
Dean Rachel Rebouché, Temple University Beasley School of Law and the James E. Beasley Professor of Law - VIDEO; PHOTOS
2020
Pursuing Reproductive Justice during a Global Pandemic
Co-Dean Kimberly Mutcherson, Professor of Law at Rutgers Law School - VIDEO
2019
Reproductive Indeterminacy in Frozen Embryo Disputes
Professor Jessica Knouse ’04, University of Toledo College of Law - PHOTOS
2018
Progressively Incorrect: A Gay Liberationist Critique in the Social Justice Era
Professor J. Stephen Clark, Albany Law School - PHOTOS
2017
Femicide, Intimate Partner Violence, and the Work Left to Do
Professor Mary Lynch, Albany Law School
2016
Say Her Name: Law Reform and Activism at the Intersection of Race and Gender
Professor Donna Young, Albany Law School
2015
Healing Trafficked Children: A Domestic Family Law Approach to an International Epidemic
Professor Melissa Breger, Albany Law School - PHOTOS
About Professor Katheryn D. Katz ’70
Katheryn D. Katz spent the vast majority of her career as an award-winning member of the faculty of Albany Law School. When she joined the faculty in 1975, she was one of only two women members. She taught the first domestic violence law course 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.
She received a Kate Stoneman Award in 1995.
Albany Law School named her the first the Kate Stoneman Chair in Law and Democracy in 2007 - a position she held until her retirement in 2009.
"Professor Katz is an accomplished family law scholar who has been inspiring and mentoring our students and graduates for more than 30 years," said President and Dean Thomas F. Guernsey at the time. "I am proud and honored to recognize her remarkable contributions which so closely reflect those of Kate Stoneman."
Katheryn passed away on May 30, 2012, after a battle with breast and brain cancer.
