About Scott Haines

Scott Haines grew up in the Detroit, Michigan area, where his grandfather was one of the pioneers of the UAW. Scott always wanted to become a lawyer, and developed an early appreciation for the real-world impact that the legal system has on individuals and businesses. Licensed in Missouri and Kansas, Scott has practiced law in Kansas City for nearly thirty years.

He is known for his adept legal reasoning, and for his skill in devising and explaining legal strategies that serve his clients’ practical business interests as well as their legal needs. In 2007, Scott received the Robert C. Welch Volunteer Attorney Project Award from the Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association for his exemplary service to a pro bono client.

Creditor’s Rights
Scott has an active creditor’s rights practice that draws on a range of available methods to timely and efficiently assist clients. He advises clients on various creditor’s issues, including bankruptcy and the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA). Scott represents businesses in Kansas and Missouri on creditor matters, including foreclosure, collections, replevins, and unlawful detainer actions.

Bankruptcy
Scott represents creditors in bankruptcy actions brought in Kansas and Missouri. His experience includes defending preference actions, filing complaints to determine dischargeability of debts, and handling motions to lift bankruptcy stays of other litigation. For more than fifteen years, Scott has served as counsel for Chapter 7 Trustees. His work for the Trustees has centered on the recovery and liquidation of assets of the estate, all litigation that may occur during the administration of an estate, including preference actions, fraudulent conveyance actions, complaints to compel turnover of property and stay litigation. Scott has appeared in all the bankruptcy courts in Kansas and Missouri.

Real Estate
Scott’s representation of creditors includes handling real estate matters. His real estate practice focuses on the areas of rent and possession for commercial properties, unlawful detainer actions and foreclosures, as well as handling bankruptcy matters for commercial real estate clients.

Bar Admissions
Kansas, 1997
Missouri, 1982

Awards and Recognition
Martindale-Hubbell, AV Rating
Best Lawyers in America, 2018 – 2025
Best Lawyers in America, Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law Lawyer of the Year, 2024
Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association, Volunteer Attorney Project, 2007

Professional Affiliations
The Commercial Law Committee for the Missouri and Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Associations
Missouri Bar Mentoring Program, Advisor
KCMBA Military Matters
Volunteer Attorney Project