FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                         UST
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 24, 1996                         (202) 514-2008
                                               TDD (202) 514-1888

            UNITED STATES TRUSTEE APPOINTED TO OVERSEE
     BANKRUPTCY CASES IN INDIANA, CENTRAL & SOUTHERN ILLINOIS


     WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Attorney General Janet Reno has
appointed Edward B. Hopper II as U.S. Trustee to oversee the
administration of bankruptcy cases for the Judicial Districts of
Indiana and the Central and Southern Districts of Illinois, the
Justice Department announced today.

     Hopper, whose appointment as U.S. Trustee for the Region 10
area runs for five years, will assume his duties on October 28.
He brings over 30 years of experience in the bankruptcy field to
his new role as U.S. Trustee.  The principal office for Region 10
is located in Indianapolis, Indiana, with district offices in
Peoria, Illinois and South Bend, Indiana.

     As U.S. Trustee, Hopper will play an important oversight
role in the administration of the bankruptcy process--appointing
and monitoring individuals employed to represent bankruptcy
estates, assessing the feasibility of reorganization plans,
commenting on the fee applications of attorneys and other
professionals, and investigating and assisting in the prosecution
of bankruptcy crimes.

     Hopper earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Vanderbilt
University in 1961 and his Juris Doctor from Vanderbilt Law
School in 1964.  After serving four years in the U.S. Army as an
Artillery Officer, he began his legal career as an Associate with
the firm of Bamberger & Feibleman in Indianapolis, where he
became a partner in 1974.  In 1977, he formed his own practice,
first as Hopper and Opperman and then as Hopper and Cobb, during
which time he also served as a chapter 7 panel trustee (1978 to
1987).  In 1988, he rejoined Bamberger & Feibleman.  Throughout
his career, Hopper's practice has concentrated on bankruptcy,
reorganization and creditors' rights.

     In 1992 and 1994, he was certified as a Bankruptcy
Specialist by the American Bankruptcy Institute and the
Commercial Law League of America.  He is a member of the
American, Indiana State and Indianapolis Bar Associations, as
well as the U.S. Supreme Court Bar.  He is also affiliated with
the National Institute of Trial Attorneys and the Indiana Trial
Lawyers Association.

     As a recognized expert in the bankruptcy field, Hopper has
lectured at continuing legal education courses sponsored by the
Indiana Continuing Legal Education Forum and has written numerous
articles on a variety of bankruptcy issues.
 
     Originally from New York, Hopper has made Indianapolis his
home since 1967.  He is married with two adult children.
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