Overview
Patricia Scott focuses on solving clients’ problems. She does so primarily in the areas of Bankruptcy and Creditor’s Rights, Construction Law, and Contract Disputes, and as a certified Mediator for parties and counsel in these three areas.
Her practice includes considerable experience ranging from the construction industry to the financial industry, from manufacturing and retail to real estate and agricultural businesses. She welcomes referrals in all industries.
Within the Firm, Patricia leads the Finance, Real Estate, and Bankruptcy Law practice group. She also hosts the monthly live “2nd Wednesday with Foster Swift” videocast featuring a Firm lawyer on a specific topic.
Primary Practice Areas:
- Bankruptcy & Creditors’ Rights:
- Represents creditors in Chapter 7, 11, 12 and 13 cases
- Receivership proceedings
- Representing and advising creditors and individuals on other disputes
- Construction:
- Assists with construction contracts, negotiations and disputes
- Counsels clients on the Michigan Construction Lien Act, including filing claims of lien
- Represents clients in construction lien foreclosure actions
- Contract Disputes:
- Represents businesses, financial institutions, and individuals in negotiations and commercial litigation
- Assists in enforcing contracts both pre-litigation and during litigation, and post-judgment remedies
- Mediation Services:
- Mediator for disputes involved in bankruptcy, and for creditors’ rights issues
- Mediator for construction disputes including during construction, post-construction, and for lien and foreclosure issues
- Mediator for other business disputes - - pre-litigation, and during litigation, including discovery disputes, settlement negotiations, and ultimate case resolution
Well-connected in the bankruptcy bar, Patricia co-chairs the Ingham County Bar Association's Bankruptcy Section and is a member of the American Bankruptcy Institute. She is on the Federal Bar Association’s Bankruptcy Section Steering Committee and is a frequent speaker at the FBA’s annual Bankruptcy Conference.
Equally passionate about supporting her community, Patricia is on the Board of and is Legal Counsel for the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce. She also serves on the Board of Directors for Big Brothers Big Sisters Michigan Capital Region and is active annually raising funds for It’s a Breast Thing. She is a former Board member of the greater Lansing chapters of Small Talk and the Junior League.
Honors & Recognitions
Michigan Lawyers Weekly's "Leaders in the Law" Class of 2019
Michigan Super Lawyers Civil Litigation: Plaintiff, 2020-2021
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, 2019-2022
- Board Member, 2019-2022
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
Communications
Recent Blog Posts
BizTech Law Blog
Michigan Bankruptcy Blog
- Sixth Circuit Affirms Holding that Contributions to a 401(k) Plan Made More than Six Months Prior to Bankruptcy Cannot be Excluded from Disposable Income
- Sixth Circuit Upholds Chapter 13 Debtor’s Right to Request and Receive Dismissal of Bankruptcy Case
- 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?
Michigan Workers' Comp Defense Blog
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
- Concerns and Obligations for Businesses Under the Corporate Transparency Act, Foster Swift Second Wednesday Morning Break, May 11, 2022
- Learn Key Considerations for Selling a Business, Foster Swift 2nd Wednesday Morning Break, April 13, 2022
- Putting Children First in Co-Parenting, Foster Swift 2nd Wednesday Morning Break, March 9, 2022
- Who is Liable When No One is Behind the Wheel?, Foster Swift 2nd Wednesday Morning Break, February 9, 2022
- What Does 2022 Hold for Employers?, Foster Swift 2nd Wednesday Morning Break, January 12, 2022
- Bankruptcy Notice: All is Not Lost—How to get Money Out of a Bankruptcy?, Foster Swift 2nd Wednesday Morning Break, November 10, 2021
News
- New Virtual Program Addresses Legal Strategies for Women Business Leaders, Michigan Business Network, March 28, 2022
- Foster Swift Elects EC Members for 2022, February 21, 2022
- 16 Attorneys Selected to 2021 Michigan Super Lawyers and “Rising Stars”, Michigan Super Lawyers, August 13, 2021
- 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
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