Overview
As leader of the firm's Finance, Real Estate and Bankruptcy law practice group, Patricia concentrates her practice in the areas of bankruptcy, finance, collections, real estate, and commercial litigation. Her work with financial institutions includes collections, loan workouts, foreclosures, receiverships and various complex banking and finance issues. Patricia also represents companies - from small and mid-sized businesses to large corporations - in multi-faceted litigation matters in state and federal court.
Patricia was recently interviewed by the Michigan Chamber of Commerce for their #LeadLikeAWoman series on her views of being a leader and how important it is for women to have leadership roles and lead in their community.
In the area of bankruptcy, Patricia represents creditors in complex bankruptcy issues in Chapter 7, 11, 12 and 13 cases, including objections to plans, nondischargeability actions, motions for relief from stay, and defense of preference or fraudulent transfer actions. She also represents Chapter 7 Trustees in all aspects of the bankruptcy estate, including objections to exemptions, avoidance of security interests, preferential transfers, and fraudulent conveyances.
In her collections practice, Patricia represents creditors, individuals, banks, credit unions, and other types of businesses in negotiations, litigation, appointment of receivers, and post-judgment activities to collect on judgments, delinquent accounts, and contractual obligations.
Patricia is the Co-Chair of the Ingham County Bar Association's Bankruptcy Section, a member of the American Bankruptcy Institute and former Vice President on the board of the Small Talk Children's Assessment Center (2015-2019). She sits on the Board of Big Brothers Big Sisters and is also on the Board of and serves as the legal counsel for the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce.
Honors & Recognitions
Michigan Lawyers Weekly's "Leaders in the Law" Class of 2019
Michigan Super Lawyers Civil Litigation: Plaintiff, 2020
Michigan Super Lawyers "Rising Star," Civil Litigation: Plaintiff 2016-2019
Marquis Who's Who® in America
Featured Alumna at The Board of Fellows Meeting, Saginaw Valley State University, January, 2010
The Sol Siegel Award Recipient, Thomas M. Cooley Law School 2009
Affiliations
Memberships & Affiliations
Legal Affiliations:
- State Bar of Michigan
- Ingham County Bar Association
- Bankruptcy Section, Co-Chair
- American Bar Association
- FBA Bankruptcy Steering Committee for the Western District of Michigan
Industry & Professional Associations:
- American Bankruptcy Institute
- Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce
- Legal Counsel, 2019-2020
- Board Member, 2019-2020
Community Involvement
- Big Brothers Big Sisters
- Board of Directors, 2017-Present
- Junior League of Lansing
- Board of Directors, Treasurer 2014-2015
- Endowment Board of Directors, Treasurer 2015-2016
- Small Talk Children's Assessment Center
- Board of Directors, 2015- February, 2019
- Vice-President, 2017
Experience
Representative Matters
- Settled out-of-court on a case where a client was sued for over $300,000 and 42 cows on claim and delivery and conversion claims for $13,000 and one cow.
- Represents financial institutions and bond trustees in receivership actions, including liquidation of corporations and schools.
- Regularly represents bankruptcy trustees in all matters concerning the administration of the estate, and successfully recovers assets for the bankruptcy estate.
- Represents financial institutions and business creditors in enforcement of debt obligations, including settlement negotiations, litigation matters, foreclosure actions, appointment of receivers and recovery against personal guarantors.
- Counsel business and financial institution clients in collection methods, including best practice measures and how to minimize outstanding accounts receivable.
- Assisted in representation of numerous defendants in a multi-claim state fraudulent conveyance action for several million dollars that resulted in a favorable settlement for the clients.
- Assisted in representation of a large corporation sued in bankruptcy court in a one million dollar preference action that resulted in a successful settlement for approximately one-tenth the amount pursued.
- Assisted in having debt owed the client declared nondischargeable by motion for summary judgment in a bankruptcy case of a debtor who had been operating a Ponzi scheme.
Communications
Recent Blog Posts
BizTech Law Blog
Michigan Bankruptcy Blog
- Supreme Court Holds that “Mere Retention” of Estate Property After Bankruptcy Filing Doesn't Violate the Automatic Stay
- Are Funds Received as the Beneficiary of an IRA Property of the Estate in Bankruptcy?
- Michigan Updates and Expands its Receivership Act
- Sixth Circuit: Creditor did not Violate Chapter 7 Discharge Injunction While Negotiating Release of Lien
- Sixth Circuit Rules that Monthly 401(k) Contributions can be Excluded from “Projected Disposable Income” Under a Chapter 13 Plan
- Who is a “Non-Statutory Insider” for Purposes of Determining Whether a Payment Was Preferential in Bankruptcy?
- U.S. Supreme Court Rules that Order Granting or Denying Request for Relief from Automatic Stay is Final Order that is Immediately Appealable
- Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals Finds No Breach of Contract or FCRA Violation in Connection with Late Payments Under a Reaffirmation Agreement
- Supreme Court Decides that Law Firms Engaged in Non-Judicial Foreclosure Proceedings are Not Debt Collectors Under the FDCPA
Publications
- A Systematic Plan for Debt Collection by Agribusinesses, Foster Swift Agricultural Law News, September 23, 2020
- Giving Debtors a Break During COVID-19: How to be Flexible But Still Protect Your Rights, Foster Swift Finance Real Estate & Bankruptcy Law News, May 28, 2020
- Amendment to Michigan Marketable Record Title Act Requires Land Owners to Take Action to Preserve Certain Rights, Foster Swift Finance Real Estate & Bankruptcy Law News, May 25, 2020
- Why Auctions Work for Maximizing the Value of Assets, Foster Swift Agricultural Law News, October 31, 2019
- A Systematic Plan for Debt Collection, Foster Swift Finance, Real Estate & Bankruptcy Law News, February 18, 2019
- What To Do When You Receive A Bankruptcy Notice, Foster Swift Agricultural Law News, April 11, 2018
News & Events
Speaking Engagements
- Impact of COVID on Michigan's Workers' Compensation Law, Foster Swift 2nd Wednesday Morning Break, April 14, 2021
- Legal Considerations for Getting Businesses Back on Track, mConnexions: Expert Connexions, March 15, 2021
- Learn About Key Issues of Business Interruption Insurance, Foster Swift Second Wednesday Morning Break, March 10, 2021
- COVID Stimulus Options for Businesses, Foster Swift, February 10, 2021
- What Happens If MIOSHA Shows Up?, Foster Swift, January 13, 2021
- Minimizing Cybersecurity Risks for Remote Working, Foster Swift, December 10, 2020
News
- Impact of COVID on Michigan’s Workers’ Comp Law, Foster Swift Employer Services E-blast, April 6, 2021
- Firm Elects EC Members and Practice Leaders in 2021, February 17, 2021
- Patricia Scott Discusses Recent Receivership Act Amendment, Michigan Business Network, January 21, 2021
- Virtual Event: Minimizing Cybersecurity Risks for Remote Working, Foster Swift Business & Tax Law News, December 1, 2020
- Hogan Covers Bankruptcy in Wake of COVID, October 6, 2020
- 18 Attorneys Selected to 2020 Michigan Super Lawyers and “Rising Stars”, September 18, 2020
- 2nd Wednesday Morning Break with Foster Swift, June 25, 2020
Media
Practice Areas
Education
Thomas M. Cooley Law School, J.D., 2009, magna cum laude
Saginaw Valley State University, B.A., 2006, summa cum laude
Bar and Court Admissions
Michigan
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan
U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Eastern District of Michigan
U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Western District of Michigan