MARYLAND CRIMINAL DEFENSE LAWYER

JONATHAN L. KATZ

14 Years of In-Depth Trial Experience

TOP-RATED BY WASHINGTONIAN MAGAZINE

 (These news items covered our criminal defense partner Jon Katz's legal analyses of  the Washington sniper trial, the Sami al-Arian trial, the Kobe Bryant trial, drug defense, child pornography defense, and obscenity defense; and Jon Katz's defense of the Plowshares case.)

JON REPEATEDLY GOES TO BATTLE FOR JUSTICE, INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS, AND THE UNDERDOG:

Our Criminal Defense and Constitutional Law partner Jon Katz goes to court all the time to fight for justice. Since 1991, Jon has represented over two thousand clients in court, and has taken over 150 cases to trial, over 25 jury trials, and numerous federal and state appeals. He is skilled defending clients and cases from the more ordinary (e.g. drug cases, drunk driving and sex-related cases) to the more complex and high profile (e.g., murder, multi-defendant drug felony defense, and computer-based prosecutions, and clients as high-profile as Phil Berrigan and the other Plowshares defendants against depleted uranium (along with Ramsey Clark), a prison guard fired after appearing nude on the Internet (as local counsel with attorney Larry Walters), and a gentleman accused of leading an alleged Charlottesville drug ring (we vigorously maintain his innocence). 

Jon's usual days are consumed with defending ordinary people against a wide range of criminal accusations, slugging it out for the fighting advantage, and defending people against the landmines of injustice. While Jon is particularly familiar with courthouses in Maryland, Northern Virginia, and the District of Columbia, he is first and foremost a persuasion lawyer who, like Travis Bickle in Taxi Driver, will go "anytime, anywhere" to fight for justice in the state and federal courts throughout Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia.

JON KATZ - DELIVERING OVER FOURTEEN YEARS OF TRIAL EXPERIENCE:

GOING TO COURT THROUGHOUT MARYLAND, DC AND VIRGINIA: Jon is admitted to many state and federal courts, and is eligible for admission by reciprocity to many more. He is admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court (1996-present); the state trial and appellate and United States District courts of Maryland (Maryland Court of Appeals, 1989-present; U.S. District Court (D.Md.), 1990-present), the District of Columbia (D.C. Court of Appeals, 1990-present (bypassing an examination, based on high score on Multistate Bar Exam for the Maryland exam); U.S. District Court (D.D.C.), 1991-present), and Virginia (Virginia Supreme Court, 1997-present; U.S. District Court (E.D. Va., 1998-present, and W.D. Va., 2004-present);  and the United States Courts of Appeal for the District of Columbia and Fourth Circuits (1996-present for both Circuits). Jon passed all bar exams (MD and VA) on the first sitting, including when the Virginia bar exam had a 45% pass rate (Feb. 1997). 

PUTTING HIS EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE TO WORK FOR JUSTICE: Jon has graduated from some of the nation's finest places of learning. He believes it is even more important to learn from everyone he meets, regardless of formal education. George Washington University Law School (J.D., 1989) (ranked among the top 25 by U.S. News & World Report); and Tufts University (B.A., cum laude, 1985) (ranked as one of the nation's top universities by U.S. News & World Report (see here)). Jon also completed the full-month Gerry Spence's Trial Lawyer's College (1995), and the two-week National Criminal Defense College's Trial Practice Institute  (1994). 

TAKING LEADERSHIP ROLES WHERE JUSTICE COUNTS. Jon is Chair of the Immigration Law Committee of the Maryland Criminal Defense Attorneys Association (2005-present ); an Advisory Board Member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers' Champion magazine (1995-present), and Editor of the Constitutional Law Firm page of DMOZ's Open Directory Project (2001-present). He is a past founding President (2001-03) and officer (2003-04) of the Free Speech Coalition of the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia, a past Officer and Board Member of Helping Individual Prostitutes Survive (2002-2005), a past Vice President of the Philippine-American Bar Association (1998-2001), and a past Board Member of the American Civil Liberties Union of the National Capital Area (1992-95). 

DRAWING ON RICH WORK EXPERIENCE FILLED WITH HARD WORK AND KEY MENTORS: Jon has benefited tremendously from excellent colleagues and mentors before and after law school: Chaikin & Sherman (Trial Attorney, 1996-98), the Maryland Public Defender's Office (Trial Attorney, 1991-96), Weiner, McCaffrey, et al. (Associate Attorney, 1989-91, and Law Clerk, 1988-89), and the Federal Home Loan Bank Board (Law Clerk, 1987). Before law school:  Irving Trust Company (New York, NY) (Financial Examiner, 1985-86);Chubb Insurance (Bridgeport, CT, 1984); Shearson/American Express (Boston, MA, 1983); and the Center for Space Policy (Cambridge, MA, 1983). Jon speaks fluent French (since 1975) and intermediate Spanish (since 1983). 

STAYING ON TOP OF LEARNING AND BRAINSTORMING: Jon benefits extensively from his participatory membership with the following organizations: National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (1991-present), Maryland Criminal Defense Attorneys Association, Virginia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws Legal Committee,  the First Amendment Lawyers Association, National Lawyers Guild, Media Law Resource Center, national Free Speech Coalition, American Civil Liberties Union (1986-present), Trial Lawyers Associations of Maryland, District of Columbia, and Virginia; and Tufts Lawyers Association.

Jon first met his law partner Jay S. Marks at a six-year-old birthday party in 1969, when the turmoil and war of the time seemed lifetimes away. By junior high school in Fairfield, Connecticut, Jon and Jay had numerous classes together. Jay quickly took to Republican activities, while Jon quickly became disenchanted by the political establishment, and got involved with such civil rights activities as Amnesty International and the American Civil Liberties Union. After graduating law school, Jay and Jon discovered that -- despite their very different political paths -- they shared much in common about their vision of serving justice through the practice of law. Jon focuses his free time with his family; physical fitness (biking, kayaking, and t'ai chi); arts and literature that intellectually challenge and push the edge; and stimulating and caring friends. 

For more about Jon, see Jon Katz - Radical Lawyer in a Suit.

CLIENT FEEDBACK ON JON KATZ (more here)

"Jon, you are the best attorney in the world as far as I'm concerned. Thanks again for your work on my behalf and your optimistic energy." (From a criminal defense client).

"I want to take this opportunity to highly commend Jon Katz for his hard work and sincere dedication for defending me in my DWI charge several years ago. Prior to, during and after the trial, Jon made me feel comfortable, at ease and provided me with the sense and comfort of having an experienced and professional leading attorney by my side. With Jon defending me, I did not once feel, doubt or have any hesitation about the outcome of my trial. I would like to give Jon a million thanks once again and highly recommend him to anyone in need of a real criminal trial attorney."  (From a criminal defense client). 

"Jonathan Katz is compassionate and understanding to his people and to his clients. He did not treat me like a number or a dollar sign but instead he is always present and pays attention and he is very professional. I would certainly recommend him to anyone else ." (From a criminal defense client).

PUBLISHED APPELLATE OPINIONS    

- Maryland v. Taylor, et al., 371 Md. 617, 810 A.2d 964 (2002). Marks & Katz, LLC, wins landmark victory for criminal defendants' rights. See here for complete details. 

- Pack Shack v. Howard County, Maryland, 377 Md. 55, 832 A.2d 170 (2003). Marks & Katz, LLC, jointly advances amicus argument that contributes to invalidation of unconstitutional county adult entertainment zoning ordinance. See here for complete details. 

PUBLISHED ARTICLES BY JON KATZ:

    For all of Marks & Katz's published and unpublished articles, click here. 

Driving While Intoxicated Defense (2002)

    Published in Summer 2002 newsletter of Criminal Law Section of Association of Trial Lawyers of America. 

Mounting the Medical Marijuana Defense (October 17, 2003) 

    Published in October 2003 newsletter of the Maryland Criminal Defense Attorneys Association.

Protecting Immigrants in Criminal Court (2003)

    Published in October 2003 newsletter of the Maryland Criminal Defense Attorneys Association and March 2004 Champion newsletter of the Virginia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. 

When First Amendment Rights Prevent Criminal Convictions (1995)

    Published in The Champion (monthly magazine of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers), November 1995, Vol. 19, page 44. 

Defending Free Expression and Activists (2002)

    Published in the Trial Lawyer's College's Fall 2002 Warrior magazine.

The Former Spouse Protection Act: A Bad Law For Veterans

    Published in Army Times (Dec. 1, 2003).

Irony: Alleged Spammers Sue Anti-Spammers for Libel (June 2003)

    Published in June 2003 Media Law Letter (p. 70) of the Media Law Resource Center.

Lawyers for Internet Freedom (August 2003)

    See our article published in August 2003 Media Law Letter of the Media Law Resource Center.

Marks & Katz LLC - Media Lawyers (October 2003)

    See our article published in October 2003 Media Law Letter of the Media Law Resource Center

On War and Justice (October 2001)

    Published in Trial Lawyer's College's Warrior newsletter (October 2001 special edition).

Opposing DC Anti-Runner Legislation (February 2006) - Jon Katz's letter to the DC City Council.

Protecting The First Amendment On The Internet (December 2000)

    Published in Adult Video News (January, 2001).

Students' Rights are Not for Sale (2001)

    Published in the former Multicultural News.com.

Webmastering (March 2003)

    Published in YNOTNews on March 13, 2003.

Fighting for Justice Through Jury Trials (1997)

    Published in Vox Populi (1997), the newsletter of the Philippine American Bar Association. 

Learning From the Trial Lawyers College (1997)

    Published in Vox Populi (1997), the newsletter of the Philippine American Bar Association. 

Powerful Lawyering Through Fearlessness And Peacefulness (2001)

    Published in Trial Lawyer's College's Warrior newsletter (1997), and in the magazine of the International Alliance of Holistic Lawyers (2001).

JON KATZ ON TELEVISION AND RADIO (For our print media coverage, click here.)

WJZ TV (Baltimore CBS affiliate) - Partner Jon Katz voices his opposition to Maryland bill criminalizing so-called upskirting and downblousing photography. See the interview here. See Jon's article on the issue here. 

The O'Reilly Factor ( Fox Television News) (January 25, 2006). Partner Jon Katz returns to spar with Bill O'Reilly, this time on whether to dismiss the mistried counts in the criminal prosecution of Professor Sami Al-Arian, who was acquitted by a jury of the most serious charges against him for allegations related to terrorism. Jon emphasized that the jury has already spoken after a multi-million dollar, six-month trial where Professor Al-Arian was detained for over three years, presumed innocent every step of the way under the law. It is now time to move on. Jon pointed out that Professor Al-Arian's attorneys successfully argued to the jury that the First Amendment does not permit a conviction based solely on the defendant's views.

BBC Radio 1 (Taped January 18, 2006) BBC's entertainment channel interviews partner Jon Katz about sorely misguided efforts to censor and suppress adult entertainment. Jon emphasizes that the First Amendment requires robust protection of such material, and that the First Amendment exists to protect controversial expression, in that non-controversial expression needs little Constitutional protection. In other words, "Monsieur l'abbé, I detest what you write, but I would give my life to make it possible for you to continue to write." Voltaire, letter to M. le Riche, February 6, 1770. Furthermore, explicit adult entertainment has become so mainstream as to be found on major hotel pay-per-view options; under such circumstances, prosecutors face uphill battles to obtain obscenity convictions, and should focus their resources elsewhere. 

Clear Channel's KLSD Talk Radio AM 1360 (November 10, 2004) - On the heels of partner Jon Katz's Janet Jackson interview in USA Today (click here), KLSD Radio (San Diego, CA) matches Jon in a free-for-all against a representative from Parents Television Council who supports the $500,000 fine for the one-second exposure of Janet Jackson's breast during the Super Bowl. Jon emphasizes that  prohibits the fine. He also asks the reason for fear of women's breasts in American society. We see, and rightfully allow, women's exposed breasts in shopping malls for breastfeeding; men are not obligated to cover their breasts; but Janet Jackson's one-second breast exposure brings a half-million-dollar FCC fine. 

TQS TV (Canada) (November 1, 2004). On the eve of the United States' presidential election, Canadian TV news asks partner Jon Katz (in a French-language interview) about how far the nation has really come from the razor-thin 2000 election. Is balloting any more secure from inaccuracy and fraud? Answer: The system is still inadequate. What are the prospects for litigation over the election result? Answer: Court battle is a certainty if the outcome of a litigation victory would get the challenging party's candidate into the White House.  

WKY Radio (June 23, 2004). WKY's Dax Davis conducted a lengthy, live, spirited interview with Partner Jon Katz, with both decrying the Federal Communication Commission's power to impose stiff fines for so-called "indecent" broadcasting. Jon and Dax agreed that the term indecent broadcasting is ill-defined, and Jon railed against the First Amendment violations and censorship inherent in fining "indecent" broadcasting. Jon pointed out that the power we give to today's conservative censor can just as easily be abused by tomorrow's liberal censor. This indecent broadcasting issue has raised more attention after the Janet Jackson Super Bowl scandal and several radio stations' removal of  the Howard Stern show.

Bill O'Reilly's Radio Factor (May 5,  2004). Partner Jon Katz was interviewed about a story that Los Angeles health officials failed to obtain subpoenas in demanding health records of over fifty adult entertainment actors and actresses, in the midst of positive HIV tests of several adult industry members; the demand was made to an HIV-testing organization that turned over the records.  Jon asserted that very private documents were demanded, and that this called for the parties to have their day in court, and to prohibit such seizures absent a court-ordered subpoena. Jon argued in favor of strong privacy protection against the government for such information, particularly of people who have not even tested positive for the HIV virus. The backlash could translate into fewer HIV tests by adult entertainment actors and actresses; confidentiality helps promote AIDS testing. 

ABC 7 News/WJLA - Washington, DC (May 2, 2004). ABC 7 News interviewed Criminal Defense partner Jon Katz on the defense strategy in the Kobe Bryant case, the rape shield law issue, and the approach to winning a rape trial for a defendant. 

Talk Radio News Service (April 13, 2004) - Conservative radio host George Russell interviewed partner Jon Katz about a United State's marshal's scandalous insistence that a journalist erase her audiotape of a public speech by Supreme Court justice Antonin Scalia. Jon expressed his agreement with justice Scalia that the marshal's actions were plain wrong. Jon pointed out that in this instance First Amendment rights were violated during a talk by a conservative, but that free expression rights also can be violated when the speaker is from the other end of the political spectrum, as with Jon's defense of Ben Wetmore, who had his camcorder seized while videotaping an on-campus speech by Tipper Gore at American University. The interview was broadcast live on the Internet on WNTK radio's website.

NBC's TODAY SHOW (March 23, 2004) - TODAY interviewed partner Jon Katz about the wisdom of starting a .xxx Internet domain. Jon expressed his opposition to such a move, in that this will make it more likely to increase efforts unconstitutionally to censor adult entertainment. Jon's views were also covered in audio on Voice of America online (reprinted in Domains Magazine), followed by an opposing viewpoint, in New Republic online (reprinted by CBS online). 

France 5 Television (February 10, 2004). Partner Jon Katz was interviewed about the plea bargaining system in the United States for a one-hour program, as France expands the availability of plea bargaining in its own criminal courts. Jon addressed unjust aspects of plea bargaining, including the pressure that innocent criminal defendants sometimes feel to plead guilty to lesser charges or a recommendation of a particular sentence -- especially in the draconian federal prosecution system that penalizes people for going to trial if they are then found guilty -- when the risks look high of being found guilty, anyway, and being sentenced harshly. When a criminal defendant has competent counsel, It is generally wise to plead not guilty when the sentence is unlikely to be more adverse whether the defendant is found guilty through a trial or through a guilty plea. When the criminal defense lawyer recommends a guilty plea to a client, it must be with the intent of reducing harm, and must come from a position of strength.  

WMALRadio - Washington, DC (October 1, 2003). WMAL interviewed Jon Katz, opposite a doctor from the Office of National Drug Policy, about Maryland's newly effective law that caps marijuana possession penalties at $100 upon proof that it was for medical necessity.

WMALRadio - Washington, DC (October 1, 2003). WMAL interviewed Jon Katz, opposite a doctor from the Office of National Drug Policy, about Maryland's newly effective law that caps marijuana possession penalties at $100 upon proof that it was for medical necessity.

NBC News - Hagerstown, Maryland (September 23, 2003). The local NBC news affiliate interviewed Jon Katz on the last day of trial for a prison officer fired for posing nude on the Internet long before she was hired. For more information, click here. 

Radio Canada Television News (September 19, 2003). Partner Jon Katz provided a French-language interview by phone to Canada's televised equivalent of CNN, about hurricane Isabel, which inflicted several deaths, injuries, and hundreds of thousands of electricity outages. With a limited number of fluent French speakers in the United States Radio Canada Television News turned to Jon Katz for a local hurricane rundown. Marks & Katz, LLC, is a quadralingual law firm, with partner Jon Katz speaking fluent French (click here) and proficient Spanish, and with partner Jay Marks speaking fluent Spanish and fluent Portuguese (click here).

Bill O'Reilly's Radio Factor (August 14, 2003). Partner Jon Katz appeared in his role as a Criminal Defense and First Amendment lawyer to discuss the federal government's new wave of obscenity prosecutions, including the current prosecution against Rob Black and Extreme Associates in Pittsburgh for distributing videos that apparently include not only explicit sex, but also scenes involving rape and other violence. Jon insisted that no matter how abhorrent and disgusting the material may or may not be, it is protected by the First Amendment. It is disingenuous to bring such prosecutions without amending the First Amendment, and probably very few Americans want to amend the First Amendment. Jon Katz insisted that the First Amendment provides widespread protection of expression. Allowing obscenity prosecutions chills expression that even many people want to experience; even Allen Ginsberg's masterful poem Howl suffered an obscenity prosecution (with Howl ultimately prevailing). 

WUSA 9 News (CBS Affiliate in Washington, DC) (August 9, 2003). Partner Jon Katz appeared in his role as a First Amendment lawyer, arguing that the First Amendment prohibits Prince William County, Virginia's new adult zoning ordinance, which, among other things, requires criminal record checks of adult business owners. When asked about the county government's motivation for passing such an ordinance, Jon confirmed that elected politicians must swear to uphold the United States Constitution. The United States Constitution protects adult entertainment. Consequently, this ordinance violates the elected politicians' oath concerning the Constitution. 

The O'Reilly Factor ( Fox Television News) (February 7, 2003). Partner Jon Katz appeared in his role as a First Amendment lawyer, to discuss Constitutional protections for exotic dancing, subsequent to the Kandyland decision by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. Host John Kasich kept insisting that exotic nightclubs erode property values. In reply, Jon pointed to current studies that debunk such claims, pointed out that competitive factors lead exotic clubs away from detrimental effects to neighborhoods, and reaffirmed that Constitutional protections prevent banning such clubs. For more detail on the Constitutional rights afforded to adult entertainment, see Marks & Katz's joint amicus brief at www.markskatz.com/Adult.htm.

CBS Radio News (December 2002). Partner Jon Katz appeared to give legal commentary on the Kandyland exotic dancing case. 

-November 11, 2002- Live. Fox News brought back partner Jon Katz to discuss additional aspects of the sniper case. The interviewer focused Jon and a former prosecutor on the events following John Malvo's seven-hour discussion with law enforcement personnel, which included alleged confessions that he committed some of the sniper shootings. Jon confirmed that Mr. Malvo's statements from this discussion cannot be presented to the jury without proof that he lawfully waived his Constitutional right to remain silent. The authorities were obligated to advise Mr. Malvo that he had the right to remain silent and the right to have an attorney present; the police had the obligation to cease all questioning immediately upon Mr. Malvo's choosing to remain silent or to have an attorney present. Unfortunately, Mr. Malvo's statements will not be thrown out of court merely if his guardian or lawyer told the police not to speak with him; those words had to come from Mr. Malvo's own mouth or from his own silence. Mr. Malvo's statements cannot be used against his co-defendant John Muhammed. Mr. Malvo will not likely testify against Mr. Muhammed without assurances that he will not receive a death sentence in any court. A death sentence  is possible without proving that the defendant pulled the trigger, at least if the jury decides beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant was engaged in an act of terrorism or a continuing criminal enterprise. Jon asserted that Virginia's definition of an act of terrorism is too overbroad to be deemed Constitutional.

-November 3, 2002- Live. Fox News's Page Hopkins asked partner Jon Katz to assume the role of sniper suspect John Malvo's attorney. Jon focused on the importance of Mr. Malvo's distancing himself as far as possible from the killings. Mr. Malvo's defense team should show how isolated he was in the United States, perhaps knowing only his co-defendant John Muhammed, and fearful of deportation if in the United States in violation of the immigration laws. Under that posture, Mr. Malvo would have been afraid to call the police even about any killings he knew to have been caused by Mr. Muhammed. 

CTV (Canadian Television) (October 25, 2002). Canadian national television news interviewed partner Jon Katz and a criminal law professor about prosecutors' moves against the recently arrested suspects in the Washington-area sniper case. Jon said that information publicly available at that time did not show that a conviction was a slam dunk. Thus far, reports showed the two suspects being found in a car with a weapon used in most of the murders, and a hole that could have been used for shooting, but had not ruled out that only one of the two occupants was involved with the shootings, nor that the suspects were never in the car during the shootings. Jon emphasized that a juror's finding of reasonable doubt of guilt prevents a conviction.  

CNN Radio (April 17, 2002, Live). Partner Jon Katz appeared as president of the Free Speech Coalition of the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia  to champion the First Amendment's vindication in Aschcroft  v. Free Speech Coalition, et al. Appearing opposite Jon was Miriam Moore, of the Family Research Center.

TECH TV (Also broadcast on CNN Television's affiliates) (April 16, 2002). Partner Jon Katz appeared as a representative of the Free Speech Coalition to discuss the First Amendment benefits of  Aschcroft  v. Free Speech Coalition, et al. View a video clip of the program here. 

BBC Radio's flagship TODAY program (April 11, 2002).  Partner Jon Katz advocated quashing the Child Internet Protection Act. If enforced, CIPA would force the use of Internet censoring software filters on all computer terminals at libraries that either receive federal funds or favorable federal telecommunications rates. The tip of CIPA's iceberg is that software filters block out a huge universe of First-Amendment protected expression, and CIPA would amount to leaving federally mandated censorship in the hands of non-governmental for-profit filtering companies. 

MSNBC TV's "First Hundred Days" with Mike Barnicle (April 26, 2001). Interview of partner Jon Katz opposite Donna Rice Hughes about First Amendment protection of adult entertainment. Jon Katz advocated the view that the First Amendment must continue to protect adult entertainment that is produced by and for adults. 

Univision Television News, Channel 30 (2000). Interview of partner Jon Katz about penalties of driving on a suspended license (2000).

Legally Speaking/Legalmente Hablando  Marks & Katz's former weekly radio show (1998-2000). Click here for information about the program.

For a more complete listing of Marks & Katz, LLC's media coverage, click here.  

Please donate to FlexYourRights.org, which produced this Busted.video and authorized this version for YouTube. 

     Marks & Katz fights tirelessly for justice for our clients, with 30 years of combined experience. We are driven to win, put our clients ahead of money, and are ever-passionate for our clients and their causes. Our law partners Jay Marks and Jon Katz serve our clients directly, with caring and understanding. Jay and Jon met in 1969, attended public school together, trust each other deeply, revel in the thrill of victory, and fight side by side. We opened in 1998, and look forward to many more years of doing good for our clients and society. The highly regarded Martindale-Hubbell legal directory has given Marks & Katz, LLC, a rating indicating "very high to preeminent legal ability and very high ethical standards as established by confidential opinions from members of the Bar" We are dedicated to justice, welcome tough cases, and never shy away from controversy. 

FOR A CONFIDENTIAL CONSULTATION, CONTACT US:

How We Bill/Contact Us:

MONTGOMERY COUNTY

justice@markskatz.com

WE TRAVEL EVERYWHERE IN MARYLAND, DC, AND VIRGINIA FOR JUSTICE

JAY S. MARKS (Admitted in MD/DC/IL, and the U.S. Court of Appeals (4th Circuit)).  Se habla español. Se fala portugues.

JONATHAN L. KATZ  (Admitted in MD/DC/VA state and federal courts, and the U.S. Supreme Court) Se habla español.On parle français. 

lawyer best attorney 301 410 240 443 571 703 804 434 DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Visit our homepage at www.markskatz.com.  Copyright 1999-2006 Marks & Katz, LLC.