Judge Bios

Mr. von Kann was born in Daytona Beach, Florida. He received his B.A. degree cum laude from Harvard University in 1964. Following two years of active duty as a Lieutenant in the United States Army, he returned to Harvard from which he received his J.D. degree in 1969.

After graduating from law school, Mr. von Kann joined the litigation department of Hogan and Hartson in Washington, D.C., where he engaged in a general trial practice for thirteen years, becoming a partner of the firm in 1978. From September 1982 to July 1983, he was Of Counsel to the California law firm of Lillick, McHose and Charles. In September 1983, he joined the Washington D.C. firm of Stein, Mitchell and Mezines where he practiced until his appointment by the President.

Mr. von Kann has served as a member of various professional entities including the American Bar Association Commission on Standards of Judicial Administration, the District of Columbia Judicial Planning Committee, the Advisory Committee on Superior Court Rules of Civil Procedure, and the District of Columbia Court of Appeals Committee on Unauthorized Practice of Law. He has also been a lecturer on civil litigation practice and has published several articles on trial practice and judicial administration.

Curtis von Kann in engaged to be married to Dr. Mary Combs Barber. He has one child, Marieke Johanna von Kann, age seven, by a former marriage.