New bankruptcy court judge praised at investiture

St. Louis Daily Record & St. Louis Countian, May 22, 2003 by Rebecca Weisser

Kathy A. Surratt-States took the oath of office of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Missouri last Friday afternoon. The investiture was held at the St. Louis Zoo's McDonnell Center at River Camp.

Surratt-States was surrounded by colleagues from her former firm, Husch & Eppenberger, as well as more than 50 family members who traveled from Detroit, San Antonio and Seattle, among other cities, to share the event.

Surratt-States' first cousin, Brian Surratt, served as master of ceremonies. He introduced speakers who lauded the new judge's achievement and anticipated a promising career on the bench.

Gary D. Barnes of Husch & Eppenberger noted Surratt-States' many qualifications for the role of bankruptcy judge. "Your clerkship with Judge Barta provided you with insight into the preparation and hard work that goes into judges' decision-making process," he said. "As an attorney in private practice, you have learned the practical considerations facing clients and their attorneys in bankruptcy cases. Your work as a panel trustee has allowed you to see the two opposing sides of most bankruptcy cases from a third-party perspective. I am sure that the skills you have developed and the lessons you have learned from those training experiences will serve you well as a judge," Barnes maintained. "At times you will be dealing with the economic life and death of individuals and companies as a bankruptcy judge. We know that your decisions in those situations will be well-considered. They will be fair, and they will be just," he predicted.

Albert A. Michenfelder Jr., another of Surratt-States' Husch & Eppenberger colleagues, reflected on her career with the firm. "When Kathy joined the firm of Ziercher & Hocker in 1998 . . . we saw a young, competent lawyer . . . who had a bright future, we thought at the time. At age 31 she was already a member of the Bankruptcy Trustee Panel. I said we saw a bright future. We did not see an incandescent future," Michenfelder joked.

Surratt-States is the third member of Ziercher & Hocker -- which merged with Husch & Eppenberger in 1998 -- to assume the bench.

Kath Engelhardt of Altrusa International Inc. of St. Louis -- an international community service organization for businesspeople and other professionals -- called Surratt-States "totally dedicated" to that organization's community service programs. "Altrusans have several characteristics in common," noted Engelhardt. "They are recognized leaders within their own fields. They are eager to give of themselves to improve the world around them, and they wish to learn and grow through their volunteer service commitments. Kathy exemplifies all of these qualities," Engelhardt asserted. "Altrusa's model is `patriotism, efficiency and service.' This truly describes Kathy Surratt-States," Engelhardt attested.

John Lewis Sr., manager of technology solutions and engineering at SABRE Inc. in Dallas, Texas, and Surratt-States' first cousin, called the new judge "the picture of professionalism and success." He drew upon her love of author Maya Angelou's works to remind all present of the importance of mentoring the younger generation. "A common theme throughout [Angelou's] writing is the idea [of] seeing one's place in history and being a guiding light for those that are behind us on the journey. We all need role models. Each of us is a role model, either for good or bad." Lewis encouraged everyone to perform their professions as a "consuming passion where you can better the way of your fellow men and women, and along this path remember that our ultimate destiny as human beings is to find humanity in our hearts and to be a light for the young people who look to us to be role models."

Carol E. Jackson, chief judge of the U.S. District Court and longtime acquaintance of Surratt-States, called it "a real honor" to administer the oath of office to her. "This is truly a happy and historic occasion," said Jackson.

Surratt-States' own remarks followed the swearing-in. "This ceremony is the physical manifestation of a dream that literally began when I first studied business law in high school. While many years have passed since I made my first visit to the courtroom, my dream continues," she said. Surratt-States thanked family and friends for support in the form of food and visits. To professional associates she said, "Thanks for every tough assignment, every tip of the trade, every discussion and every `Kathy, keep your chin up' talk." Surratt-States continued, "Each interaction with family, friends and professional peers [has] occurred for a reason. Make no mistake: Nothing in life is coincidental. Your decisions to provide support and guidance weren't coincidental and neither were my decisions to pursue my dream. . . . You've all invested in me, and you will not be disappointed," she vowed.

Charles E. Merrill, managing partner of the St. Louis office of Husch & Eppenberger, presented Surratt-States with a "little gift for you that we hope will grace your chambers."