Harold A. Katz

Harold A. Katz was a founding partner of the law firm along with Irving Friedman more than 50 years ago. Harold and Irving met when they were opposing counsel on a labor relations case in the early 1950s. Harold was representing the UAW. Irv, as the Labor Board's senior trial attorney in its Chicago office, was representing the NLRB. The two, working together, successfully prosecuted an unfair labor practice complaint against a multi-national corporation. It didn't take long for their mutual respect to become a working arrangement that has translated into more than a half-century partnership which has impacted the lives of many working people all over Illinois.

Harold has been an author of two major labor law books and the author of a number of articles published in professional journals. In a classic 1956 article in the Harvard Law Review, Harold spawned the "Crashworthiness Doctrine." The Doctrine, now widely accepted throughout the country, places legal liability upon auto manufacturers to reasonably design vehicles that protect drivers in the event of a crash.

Harold is a lecturer at conferences and institutes on labor and employment discrimination subjects. He has acted as chairperson for a number of organizations including the US branch of the International Society for Labor Law and Social Legislation, the Labor Law Committee of the Illinois State Bar Association, and the Workers' Compensation Section of the American Trial Lawyers' Association. He is a fellow of the College of Labor and Employment Lawyers. Harold in 2001 was one of only 12 Illinois lawyers inducted as a Laureate in the Illinois Academy of Lawyers; he earned the Jurisprudence Award from American Organization for Rehabilitation through Training (ORT), and the Freedom of Expression Award from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). Harold has been a public servant in every branch of government outside of his private law practice. He served as a member of the Illinois House of Representatives with distinction for nine terms; was special counsel to the Governor of Illinois on legislation; and was a Master-in-Chancery at the trial court level in Cook County. He earned his bachelor of arts degree in economics from Vanderbilt University in 1943; and a Doctor of Law degree in 1948 and a masters of arts in labor economics in 1958 both from the University of Chicago. Harold lives in Glencoe with his wife Ethel Mae. He is father of four grown children and five grandchildren. Harold reads voraciously and enjoys traveling whenever he gets the chance.