PROFESSIONAL BIOGRAPHY OF DAVID W. OSTRANDER

I was admitted to the Massachusetts bar on June 23, 1989, and to the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts on January 23, 1990. I am a licensed attorney in good standing. I am Board Certified in Consumer and Business Bankruptcy Law by the American Board of Certification. This certification means that I have met the qualifications of that organization for being considered a specialist in the area of bankruptcy law. I am the only attorney in all of Western Massachusetts to have both certifications.

In March, 1997, I was appointed by the Office of the United States Trustee, the federal government organization which oversees the bankruptcy process throughout the country, to be a Chapter 7 Panel Trustee for bankruptcy cases filed in Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin Counties in Massachusetts. I am one of only four attorneys appointed to this position in this area. As a Chapter 7 Trustee, I "administer" Chapter 7 cases by reviewing the information provided by individuals and companies that have filed for bankruptcy protection, and perform other tasks related to the case. The appointment as a Chapter 7 Panel Trustee indicates that the person is considered to be extremely knowledgeable and experienced in the practice of bankruptcy law.

I received my undergraduate degree, Magna Cum Laude (with high honor), from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst in 1976, and received my J.D. (Law) Degree, Cum Laude (with honor), from Western New England College School of Law in Springfield, Massachusetts, in 1989. At the School of Law graduation ceremonies, I received the American Jurisprudence Award in bankruptcy.

While attending law school, I worked as a legal assistant with the general practice law firm of O'Brien and Adamski in Easthampton, Massachusetts. After graduating and being sworn in as a licensed attorney, I worked with O'Brien and Adamski, until October, 1990. During my tenure at O'Brien and Adamski, I concentrated in the areas of real estate, civil litigation, and general business matters.

In October, 1990, I joined the law firm of Hendel, Collins & Newton, P.C. of Springfield, Massachusetts, as an associate attorney, where I concentrated in the areas of commercial law, debtor/creditor representation and bankruptcy. I administered bankruptcy cases from inception to conclusion under Chapters 7 and 13 of the Bankruptcy Code, and played integral roles in many Chapter 11 cases. I also assisted Attorney Joseph Collins, the "senior" Chapter 7 Panel trustee in this area, in the administration and resolution of Chapter 7 cases. Additionally, I represented both individual and commercial clients in workout and collection matters.

In January, 1994, I left Hendel, Collins & Newton to establish my own practice in Northampton, Massachusetts. I continue to concentrate in bankruptcy law, including debtor/creditor representation.

I have served as President of the Citizens' Scholarship Foundation of Easthampton, also known as Dollars for Scholars, and as President of the Board of Directors of the Town Crier Condominium Association in Easthampton, Massachusetts. I have also served as Chairman of the Professional Division and Co-chair of the Lawyers Division of the United Way of Hampshire County. I am a member of the Hampshire County, Hampden County and Massachusetts Bar Associations, as well as a member of the Commercial Law League of America, the American Bankruptcy Institute, and the National Association of Bankruptcy Trustees.

David W. Ostrander

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