Former Frost Brown Todd LLP bankruptcy & restructuring partner Douglas L. Lutz has been appointed as a United States Bankruptcy Judge for the Eastern District of Kentucky. The Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals selected Lutz to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of United States Bankruptcy Judge Tracey N. Wise. Lutz was sworn in on April 19, 2024.
“Doug has made tremendous contributions to Frost Brown Todd in his nearly 30 years with the firm. He is well respected by his former colleagues and has a reputation for having a strong focus on financial and restructuring matters. We are proud of his achievements and proud to call him a friend,” said Robert Sartin, chairman of Frost Brown Todd.
Lutz joined Frost Brown Todd in 1995 and served as chair of the firm’s nationally recognized Bankruptcy & Restructuring practice group from 2009 to 2015 and again from 2019 until his appointment. During his career with Frost Brown Todd, Lutz was actively involved in some of the largest bankruptcy and restructuring cases not only in the region, but also throughout the United States. These cases include, among others, Horizon Natural Resources, Murray Energy, First Energy, and Gordman Stores. Lutz also served as the SIPC Trustee in the liquidation of Donahue Securities, Inc.
Lutz has been recognized in the bankruptcy section of the 2007 through 2024 editions of The Best Lawyers in America, including as 2023 Cincinnati “Lawyer of the Year” and 2019 Litigation-Bankruptcy “Lawyer of the Year”; by Chambers USA for Bankruptcy and Restructuring 2009-2023 (Band 1); by Law and Politics Magazine Ohio Rising Stars® in 2005; and by Ohio Super Lawyers® in 2007 through 2024. In 2021, Lutz was inducted as a Fellow in the American College of Bankruptcy. Lutz was active throughout his career at Frost Brown Todd in giving back to the legal profession. Lutz formerly served on the Executive Committee and on the Board of Directors of the American Bankruptcy Institute.
Prior to joining the firm, Lutz practiced law in Grand Rapids, Michigan and served as a law clerk to United States Bankruptcy Judge James D. Gregg (Ret.) on the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Michigan.
Lutz is a graduate of the University of Toledo College of Law and Miami (Ohio) University.