Biography
Louis J. Wade practices as a litigator in areas involving creditors' rights, consumer law defense, commercial litigation, bankruptcy, business disputes (business divorces), and commercial collections and eviction. He provides counsel to small, mid-sized, and large businesses as well as to individuals. Lou's clients include automotive lenders and numerous manufacturers, lenders, and collection agencies.
Lou also defends lawyers and collection agencies in state and federal court in cases alleging violations of FDCPA; defends lawyers in claims involving alleged ethical violations; defends companies in claims by the Attorney General; pursues cases involving contract, real estate, construction, and other disputes between businesses; enforces security interests, foreclosures, replevins, and mechanic's liens; and seeks recovery under automobile dealer bonds.
Lou assists in dischargeability litigation, motions to lift stay, objections to confirmation, preference litigation, director and officer litigation, accounts receivable litigation for bankruptcy estates, and defense of contempt motions for discharge and stay violations. He also pursues collection of commercial accounts (e.g., open account sales of goods and services involving building supplies, agricultural products, computer services, auto parts, legal services, and virtually any other product or service) and retail accounts (e.g., credit cards and student loans). Lou efficiently and effectively pursues legal remedies on behalf of creditors.
Practice Areas
Education
- University of Missouri at Kansas City School of Law (J.D., 1980)
- University of Iowa (B.A., 1976)
- Economics and Political Science
Legal Background
- McDowell Rice Smith Buchanan (2004-2023)
- Stinson Morrison Hecker (1997-2004)
- Culp & Wade (1986-1997)
- Law Office of David Sperry (Captive counsel for Carrier Credit & Collection) (1983-1986)
- Koenigsdorf Kusnetzky & Wyrsch (1980-1983)
Professional Affiliations
- Kansas Collection Attorneys' Association (past president)
- Creditors' Rights and Asset Protection Association (past chair)
- American Collectors' Association, Member Attorney Program
- American Bankruptcy Institute
- National Association of Chapter Thirteen Trustees (NACTT)
- Corporate Compliance Education Forum (CCEF)
- Missouri Creditors’ Bar, Inc.
Admissions
- Missouri
- Kansas
- United States Supreme Court
- United States Court of Appeals
- Eighth Circuit
- Tenth Circuit
- District of Columbia Circuit
- United States District Court
- District of Kansas
- Western District of Missouri
- Missouri Court of Appeals
- Kansas Court of Appeals
Charitable & Civic Activities
- Blue Valley Recreation Commission, Past Commissioner and Chair
- Kansas Recreation and Parks Association, 2016 Distinguished Commissioner
- Women's Foundation, Board of Directors
- Women's Foundation, Executive Committee
- Former coach and/or Assistant coach for over 10 years for youth Basketball, Baseball and Soccer teams
- "Making Cents in the City," annual financial literacy course for young women (Co-sponored by The Women's Foundation and the Girl Scouts), Past Chair
- Credit Abuse Resistance Education (CARE), which provides financial literacy training to high school students, Member of Executive Committee
- Board member, Birdsall House
- United We (formerly Women's Foundation), Past member of board and executive committee
- Volunteer, The Bridge 90.9 radio
Honors & Awards
- Missouri and Kansas Super Lawyers
- Civil Litigation: Defense 2017-Present
- Bankruptcy: Business, 2015-2016
- Bankruptcy: 2013- 2014
- "Top Attorneys in Collections", Collection Advisor Magazine's September/October 2018 national publication
- Best Lawyers in America 2014
- Frequent speaker at seminars on FDCPA, collections, bankruptcy, and litigation
- Graduate of the National Institute for Trial Advocacy
- AV® PreeminentTM Rated by Martindale-Hubbell
- Co-Author, Chapter 4, Kansas Bankruptcy Handbook, 3d Ed., "Representing Creditors in Chapter 7 Proceedings."
