Corali Lopez-Castro to Become Florida’s First Hispanic Bankruptcy Judge
After over three decades at Kozyak Tropin + Throckmorton, partner Corali Lopez-Castro has decided to accept an opportunity to become Florida’s first Hispanic bankruptcy judge. She will fill the vacancy created following the retirement of Chief U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Emeritus A. Jay Cristol.
“My parents left Cuba many years ago and they sacrificed everything, and you can imagine their pride in having their daughter as a federal bankruptcy judge,” Lopez-Castro told the Daily Business Review in an interview when the news broke. “That tells you that anything is possible in this country.”
The nationally distinguished bankruptcy and commercial litigation attorney, described by the Daily Business Review as a “trailblazer,” served as the firm’s managing partner three times and has been appointed receiver or represented a receiver in over 15 cases. Notably, she served as the second woman president of the Cuban American Bar Association and was inducted as a fellow in the American College of Bankruptcy’s 25th class for her professional excellence and contributions to the field of restructuring and insolvency.
“As founding partners, John Kozyak, Chuck Throckmorton and I are extremely proud of the enormous contributions which Cori has made to KTT since she joined the firm in 1990, and we know that she will make a magnificent addition to the bankruptcy bench,” said co-founding partner Harley Tropin.
Added managing partner Jorge Piedra: “We are extremely proud of our partner, Cori. The community will be well served by her incredible experience, intelligence, compassion and integrity. As the first Hispanic bankruptcy judge in Florida, her work in this role will have particular significance. However, it is truly bittersweet for us to see her go because she has been such an incredible lawyer, leader, friend and mentor. We are grateful for all her contributions to our firm, which have further solidified the powerful platform established by our founders, and which all of us will continue to build upon in years to come.”
KTT, a complex commercial litigation law firm focused on bet-the-company commercial cases, class actions, healthcare, and bankruptcy matters, is proud of its partners who have become judges throughout its 40-year history. These include Senior U.S. District Judge Paul Huck, Chief Bankruptcy Judge Laurel M. Isicoff, and Bankruptcy Judge Cori Lopez- Castro. Bankruptcy Judge Peter Russin clerked for KTT and began his career here before starting his own firm and ascending to the bench. Third District Court of Appeal Judge Alexander Bokor also practiced with the firm for several years.
