Katz, Allan Jack, 1947-

Allan Jack Katz (born April 30, 1947) is an American lawyer, diplomat, and politician. He is a former City Commissioner of Tallahassee and American Ambassador to Portugal.

Born and raised in a Jewish family in St. Louis, Missouri, Katz graduated from University City High School then attended college at the University of Missouri at Kansas City, receiving a bachelor’s degree, and Washington College of Law at American University, where he received his law degree. In the 1970s Katz began his career working in Congress, serving first as a legislative assistant to Representative Bill Gunter (D-Florida). He later worked as legislative director for Representative David Obey (D-Wisconsin), before serving as general counsel for the House Commission on Administrative Review.

Relocating to Florida, Katz went to work for the state’s Insurance Department as general counsel and then as assistant insurance commissioner. He joined the firm of Katz, Kutter, Alderman & Bryant, P.A. in 1987 and eventually became a managing partner. He joined Akerman Senterfitt in 2004 when the two firms merged, making Akerman the largest law office in Florida. Katz was made head of the firm’s Government Affairs and Public Policy practice, which grew significantly during his leadership.

While in Florida, Katz was appointed by the state’s chief financial officer, Alex Sink, to serve on the Citizens Insurance board. He also served as the head of the Joint Planning Board, which coordinates the distribution of funds to social service agencies on behalf of the city of Tallahassee, the county and the United Way. In addition, he was a city commissioner for Tallahassee for seven years, and helped found the Village Square, a bi-partisan community-based organization.

In 2019, American Public Square announced a new partnership with William Jewell College, changing its name to American Public Square at Jewell, and Ambassador Katz was brought on as Distinguished Professor in Residence in William Jewell’s Department of Political Science.

Katz is married to Nancy Cohn and the couple has two sons, Ethan and Matthew.