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. # # # 96-524