Nationally recognized for his expertise in bankruptcy, restructuring and creditors' rights, Ben regularly represents debtors, creditors, committees, trustees and buyers in bankruptcy actions throughout the country. In addition, he represents clients in a variety of debtor-creditor disputes outside of bankruptcy in federal and state courts, as well as arbitration proceedings. Ben, who is the Kansas City Office Managing Partner, created and organized the creditors' rights and bankruptcy practice at the firm.
In the area of litigation, Ben has tried numerous commercial litigation jury trials in federal and state courts. He has also handled multi-district complex litigation class actions and other large commercial litigation matters involving interrelated cases in several jurisdictions.
Awards & Recognitions
· The Best Lawyers in America, Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law, 1995-2012; Bankruptcy and Creditor-Debtor Rights Lawyer of the Year, 2011
· Kansas City Business Journal, Best of the Bar, 2010
· Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers, Bankruptcy and Creditor/Debtor Rights, 2005-2011; Top 100, Bankruptcy & Creditor/Debtor Rights; Top 50, Kansas City, 2008, 2010
Professional Associations & Memberships
· American Bankruptcy Institute
· American Bar Association, Business Law Section
· Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association, Bankruptcy Committee
· The Missouri Bar
· Midwestern Bankruptcy Institute, Advisory Board
Civic Involvement
· Jackson County Historical Society, Board of Directors, Past President, 2005-2006
· Johnson County Museum, Advisory Council, Chair, 2009-2010
Experience
· Represented Payless Cashways, Inc., debtor in the largest Chapter 11 ever filed in the Western District of Missouri
· Represented major creditors in numerous local Chapter 11 bankruptcies, including Kroh Brothers Development Co., Food Barn Stores, Inc., Farmland Industries, Havens Steel, American Trailer & Storage, House of Lloyds and Trilogy (West Edge)
· Represented local debtors in successful Chapter 11 reorganizations, including ISC, Broadway Industries, Inc., Ameritank, Inc. and NRL Financial
· Represented major creditors in many national bankruptcies including Bethlehem Steel, Calpine, Chrysler, Collins & Aikman, Delphi, Dura Automotive, Enron, Erickson Retirement Communities, Fedders, Fleming, General Motors, Hechinger, Lehman Bros., Lyondell, Organized Living, TWA, Winn-Dixie and WorldCom
News & Publications
News
10.19.11, Super Lawyers 2011 Names 71 Husch Blackwell Attorneys from Missouri and Nebraska; an Additional 15 Listed as Rising Stars
9.26.11, Kansas City Business Journal Names 10 Husch Blackwell Attorneys to 2011 Best of the Bar
9.6.11, More Than 100 Husch Blackwell Attorneys Named to Best Lawyers 2012
10.28.10, Six Husch Blackwell Attorneys Named Best Lawyers 2011 Lawyers of the Year
10.13.10, Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers 2010 Names 64 Husch Blackwell Attorneys; An Additional 20 Listed as Rising Stars
9.29.10, Husch Blackwell Attorneys Named Best of the Bar by Kansas City Business Journal
10.22.09, Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers 2009 Names 73 Husch Blackwell Sanders Attorneys
9.24.08, Husch Blackwell Sanders Attorneys Named Best of the Bar by Kansas City Business Journal
Publications
3.1.10, The Non-Bankrupt Party's View of Executory Contracts in Bankruptcy: Assumption is Heaven, Rejection is Hell and Purgatory (post-filing and pre-rejection/assumption) Ain't a Bed of Roses, Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association
6.1.07, Creditors' Strategies in Bankruptcy, Emerson Electric Co. Law Conference
Events
3.1.10, The Non-Bankrupt Party's View of Executory Contracts in Bankruptcy: Assumption is Heaven, Rejection is Hell and Purgatory (post-filing and pre-rejection/assumption) Ain't a Bed of Roses, Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association
Speaking Engagement
6.1.07, Creditors' Strategies in Bankruptcy, Emerson Electric Co. Law Conference
Speaking Engagement