Paul solves financial problems, by agreement or court order. Whether representing debtors, creditors, owners, directors, officers, trustees, landlords, or buyers, Paul finds pragmatic, creative solutions.
Overview
With over 37 years of experience, Paul's extensive knowledge of the bankruptcy law, paired with his ability to manage complex litigation and deep experience with the alternatives available, translates to creative solutions for clients when it really counts.
Continuously certified by the American Board of Certification in Business Bankruptcy Law since 1992, Paul represents debtors, creditors, committees, trustees, landlords, buyers and others in bankruptcy, workout and collections matters. Reorganization and creditor clients benefit from his experience in many industries, including agribusiness, finance, manufacturing, oil and gas, transportation, health care and real estate. Paul has crafted original solutions for debtor clients, led companies through complex post-confirmation issues, and counseled clients on pre- and post-filing options and strategies.
Experience
Preserving the value of iconic brands, Paul worked as co-counsel for Interstate Bakeries (makers of Wonder Bread and Twinkies), helping position them for an initial reorganization and subsequent sale and a second life. Part of this engagement included litigation before the Eighth Circuit en banc.
As lead counsel for the TWA Inc. Post-Confirmation Estate in Delaware, Paul pursued more than 450 preference actions and hundreds of claims objections.
As lead counsel for a major public company as plan sponsor for a gas storage company in bankruptcy in Delaware, Paul guided the company through an auction and plan confirmation process and subsequent post-confirmation exercise of an equity call option.
Paul has been lead counsel for several clients in roles as debtor, receiver, and buyer in state court receivership actions in several states.
Paul has handled matters in Missouri, Kansas, Delaware, New York, Arizona, Texas, Colorado, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Iowa, Alabama, Minnesota, Indiana, and many other states.
In addition to his practice, Paul is a prior Chair of the Ad Hoc Advisory Committee for the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Missouri, and has been an Adjunct Professor of Secured Transactions at the University of Missouri at Kansas City School of Law since 2004.
News & Insights
News
Publications
"The Perils of Purdy: Floating Leases of Livestock," 32 Clarks' Secured Transactions Monthly 8, August 2016
"New Developments in the GM Termination Statement Litigation," 32 Clarks' Secured Transactions Monthly 6, June 2016
"Sixth Circuit: Blanket Secured Lender Trumps IP Licensee," 32 Clarks' Secured Transactions Monthly 1, January 2016
"New York Court Allows Ratification of Unauthorized Financing Statement by Later Security Agreement," 31 Clarks' Secured Transactions Monthly 5, May 2015
"Another Case Upholds Lender Reliance on the Public Record in Article 9 Priority Dispute," 31 Clarks' Secured Transactions Monthly 3, March 2015
"Attorney Charging Lien Gets Trumped by Prior Security Interest," 31 Clarks' Secured Transactions Monthly 1, January 2015
"Drafting Executory Contracts After Recent Third and Eighth Circuit Rulings," Renaissance, November 2014
Co-Author, 2014 Cumulative Supplement to MoBar Creditors' Remedies Deskbook, Chapter 3, Garnishments, August 2014
Recognitions
Recognitions
Named to 2021 POWER30 for Bankruptcy, Minnesota Lawyer, 2021
Recognized as "Lawyer of the Year" by The Best Lawyers in America© in Litigation-Bankruptcy
Listed in The Best Lawyers in America for Bankruptcy and Creditor-Debtor Rights Law, 2006 - Present
Named Best of the Bar –Bankruptcy by the Kansas City Business Journal, 2005 - Present
Selected for inclusion in Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers® for Bankruptcy and Creditor/Debtor Rights, 2006 - Present
Professional & Civic Activities
Professional & Civic Activities
Centurions Leadership Development Program, Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce, Graduate
Winterset Park Homeowners Association, Vice President
United Way, Volunteer
American Bankruptcy Institute
Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association
Lawyers Association of Kansas City
Practices & Industries
Admissions
- Missouri, 1982
- U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas
Education
University of Michigan, J.D., 1982
University of Nebraska-Omaha, B.S.B.A., summa cum laude, 1979
