Kathryn A. Belfance

Phone:   330-434-3000

Fax: 330 434-9220

Kathryn A. Belfance received her Juris Doctor degree from the University of Akron School of Law. While at the law school, she was among the first women to serve as an associate editor on the Law Review. In 1979, the Northern Ohio Law Review published an article written by Ms. Belfance entitled, "The Inadequacy of Pecuniary Loss as a Measure of Damages in Actions for the Wrongful Death of Children". This article was instrumental in effecting changes in the law involving wrongful deaths of minors. The article was also reprinted in a bound volume entitled Personal Injury Annual -1981.

In 1977, Ms. Belfance established her own practice which she managed until joining Roderick Linton Belfance in 2008. Upon establishing her practice, Ms. Belfance was among the first women in the area to master the complex bankruptcy laws. In 1978, she was appointed as the first female Bankruptcy Trustee to administer bankruptcy cases in the Northern District of Ohio. Since her appointment, she has continually served as Bankruptcy Trustee. Over the years, Ms. Belfance has been appointed as trustee in numerous Chapter 11 cases, including the Copperweld Steel Company. She was appointed receiver of a multi-million dollar national enterprise known as Preferred Capital, Inc. In addition to serving as a Bankruptcy Trustee, Ms. Belfance has served as counsel for individuals, small businesses and corporate debtors as well as creditors. She represents individuals and businesses in seeking relief under Chapter 7, 13 and 11 of the bankruptcy laws. Over the many years in the bankruptcy field, Ms. Belfance has lectured on bankruptcy matters nationally as well as locally. Ms. Belfance has successfully litigated bankruptcy issues that resulted in reported opinions that have been the subject of national seminars.

Ms. Belfance has also distinguished herself in the field of domestic relations, which she has practiced since 1977. Ms. Belfance has handled many complex divorce and custody matters. With knowledge of the divorce and custody laws, along with her strong business background, Ms. Belfance has provided sound advice and assistance to clients in resolving financially complex divorce cases, often involving businesses, novel financial structures, as well as many other substantial financial assets. With over forty years of experience in this field, Ms. Belfance has been invited to speak at seminars on a variety of domestic relations issues.

In addition, Ms. Belfance practices in the area of probate law, having been involved in complex matters including Will contests and declaratory judgment actions. Ms. Belfance has also been invited to speak on the subject of Wills and Trusts.

Ms. Belfance was recently featured in Crain's Cleveland Business:

Kathryn Belfance is no stranger to firsts. At the University of Akron School of Law, she was among the first female associate editors on the Law Review. After graduation in 1977, she was one of the first women in Northeast Ohio to specialize in complex bankruptcy laws. In 1978, Belfance became the first female bankruptcy trustee to administer cases in the Northern District of Ohio. Thirty years later, she joined Akron-based Roderick Linton - which then became Roderick Linton Belfance - and was the first woman to serve on the firm's executive committee and its first female managing partner. Today, a nationally recognized authority on bankruptcy and domestic relations law, Belfance makes a point to inspire a new generation. "From her mentoring young lawyers and being an advocate for women attorneys, Kay gives back to her profession and community with wisdom, understanding and compassion," Timothy J. Truby, a partner at Roderick Linton Belfance, wrote in the nomination.

Education