What makes a mensch? You are either a man of your word - or you are not. Fortunately for Richard, he has been practicing law with the same group of mensches for the past 43 years. They started with a "Gentlemen's Agreement" and a hand shake (something they would never advise clients to do), and continue to be partners and friends to this day. Their common goal has been to maintain the highest standards of practice in their chosen profession which, in turn, has rewarded them with meaningful and fulfilling careers. Richard's successful law practice has allowed him to indulge in numerous outside activities with family and friends. In fact, Richard and one of his partners has a penchant for red wines, so each year they travel with their wives to explore (and sample) different wine regions. He is a voracious reader, and volunteers weekly at the Studio City Library. As a frustrated pilot and an avid history buff, with a particular fascination for propeller aircraft, he attends air shows and visits aviation museums around the world.

When he joined SulmeyerKupetz in 1986, all he knew about bankruptcy was that he owned stock in his now defunct Sambo's Restaurants. Today he is a certified business bankruptcy law specialist, and frequent speaker and author. In 1995 Howard became a member of the Central District of California bankruptcy trustees. Since then he has successfully handled several complicated cases including the Queen Mary, Powerlift (the largest Caterpillar forklift franchisee in California), and most recently, Howard was appointed to oversee the liquidation of Axium International and 36 related companies. Most of all, Howard enjoys spending time with his wife and two kids, and he is proud to say, he has never missed one of their games or performances.

Mark Horoupian came to SulmeyerKupetz as a very new attorney in 1994, and today is a Member of the Firm. In the past many years, his colleagues have been witness to the changes in Mark’s life, beginning with his marriage to the charming Grace, also an attorney, and the birth of their daughter, Nyrie. Mark and Grace have left the City of LA for the waters of Huntington Harbour, and the firm has enjoyed Mark’s ever-changing collection of gas-powered "toys" (cars, boats, and motorcycles). Marks’ athletic interests have evolved from playing competitive rugby to the much less violent sport of long distance running … funny what happens in those ensuing years.

Outside of David Kupetz' passion for law, and for writing, David is a runner (while listening to books on his IPod), is a hiker, a skier, and has a new passion in yoga. He is an avid reader, occasionally even for pleasure. David and his lovely wife Deborah are involved in a multitude of community activities. Both David and Deborah have tremendous fun watching their daughters, Rachel, Ariella and Noa playing basketball and volleyball.

In 1960 when he associated with Irving Sulmeyer, little did Arnold know that this association would lead to a relationship, which would facilitate his growth, learning, and professional support for nearly 50 years. Partners and Associates, who became part of our Firm have developed that same kind of collegiality. Arnold feels very blessed and extremely lucky to have been associated with a group of fine men and women for such a long period of time. He continues today as Senior Counsel admiring this continuing culture, established so many years ago by his friend and mentor, Irving Sulmeyer.

Today there are new leaders, new technologies, many new faces, as well as those old friendships. In the SulmeyerKupetz' environment of commitment and professionalism, new friendships are flourishing.

As a native Los Angelino and diehard UCLA fan, Dan's approach to law follows the words of the legendary John Wooden, who aptly noted, "Failing to prepare is preparing to fail ...". When not practicing law or watching his beloved Bruins with utter angst, Dan enjoys fly fishing, pushing his body to the limits every Sunday playing softball, reading his small collection of Civil War books, and hosting the SulmeyerKupetz' Texas Hold'em tournaments at his house, the only home that will allow cigars. Dan also enjoys time with his two teenagers, Brandon and Elizabeth, who test his patience daily.

Elissa Miller works very hard to create a balance between her commitment to her law practice, as a full service bankruptcy attorney, trustee and litigator as well as to Jeff and their daughter, Mara. Elissa also factors in her commitment to the community, as an active volunteer in programs benefiting women without access to health care, local and national political campaigns, at Mara's school, and Club Volleyball (Mara's sport), to name but a few. Working women can certainly relate. It takes incredible organization, a sense of humor and much skill. Elissa possesses these traits, and by the way, is an outstanding cook, as well as an outstanding attorney.

Jeff is constantly amazed at how things change, and yet remain the same. For example, he vividly remembers as a first year associate having to "red-line" a document, using a real red marker and a ruler. Now, with a few quick "clicks", he is treated to a perfect electronic redline. Yet, despite the improved technologies, there remains a constant as a transactional attorney - namely, solve the client's problem by developing a solution that makes your client happy (and hopefully successful). Fortunately, Jeff loves problem solving, whether it involves assisting clients in resolving complicated business/ financing/acquisition issues, figuring out how his new electronic "toys" work or understanding how to work with his children with their "new math" assignments. He does sense that he should keep his day job, as he tends to have limited success with electronics. His wife and five precocious children would probably eagerly concur.

It was January 1952 that Irving Sulmeyer put out his shingle and ensconced himself in a tiny office on the second floor of the aging Continental building at 408 South Spring Street. The noise of the street cars on the steel tracks below came through the open window. He was his own receptionist, telephone operator, and secretary. He took whatever business came his way. Representing a friend injured when a Red Cross van struck his car, he sued the American Red Cross and following a jury trial won a verdict for the full amount requested. He litigated a contested divorce case before the late California Supreme Court Justice Stanley Mosk when Justice Mosk sat on the Superior Court bench in Santa Monica. He successfully defended a liquor store owner charged with selling alcohol to a minor. Most significantly, he was asked by a friend if he could help the friend's father save his struggling zipper business. Sulmeyer said he wasn't sure, but he would try. Thus, he filed his first bankruptcy case, a Chapter II reorganization case for Union Slide Fastener Company. A year later, and with a lot of help from the Los Angeles bankruptcy bar, the company emerged successfully from reorganization proceedings and continued in business. The late Bankruptcy Judge Benno Brink invited Irving Sulmeyer to serve as a bankruptcy trustee in his court. While serving as a trustee he began representing ever increasing numbers on poor wage earners in bankruptcy cases. He introduced chapter 13 (wage earner adjustments) to Southern California. Increasingly he became involved in larger and larger business bankruptcy cases, representing debtors, trustees, creditors, and committees of creditors. One day he hired newly married Arnold L. Kupetz, and what is now SulmeyerKupetz was born.

Having spent a summer or two in his youth working in the steel mills of Ohio, Alan appreciates the relatively dust free environment of our high rise office building. The 'mills' were nonetheless a great teacher of the value of a dollar and what can be achieved by a hard working team of people devoted to the task at hand. Alan applies the lessons learned to his current profession and knows that every task, no matter how small, is important to the success of a project. As is oft repeated, 'For want of a nail... the battle was lost.' Every battle worth pursuing is one that should be won. That is the goal that Alan strives to achieve for every client he and SulmeyerKupetz represents. It is also one of many virtues that he shares with his two young sons.

Marcus is a southern California native who grew up in the city of Long Beach. He enjoys snowboarding, riding mountain bikes, attending concerts, exploring new restaurants, and spending time with family and friends. Marcus also remains a big fan of "extreme" sports, some of which he did competitively in the past, and which were a major part of his childhood and young adulthood. Today, however, Marcus's challenges are a bit more tame, although some days being an attorney are as heady and exciting as some of those challenges of his youth.