I am deeply committed to clients’ success, often called the ’emergency room doctor’ of lawyers for stepping in when critical decisions must be made. Thriving on competition, I have little tolerance for anything less than excellence; clients count on that dedication. “Bob is very responsive and willing to answer any questions or concerns at any time,” stated one client. “In addition, his advice has proven to be invaluable. He has become a wonderful partner as we continue to grow and expand our business.”

Robert Haupt is a problem-solver who takes a practical, results-oriented approach to resolving clients’ most challenging legal issues. With a broad range of experience in commercial law, civil litigation and bankruptcy, he has successfully represented clients ranging from Fortune 50 companies to entrepreneurial start-ups in federal and state civil and appellate courts across the US. As an experienced problem solver, Robert recognizes that every situation can be unique—whether it requires litigation, negotiation, or another approach—and offers advice informed by experience, always focused on achieving client goals efficiently and effectively.

With experience spanning from local contract disputes to intricate litigation involving multinational corporations, Bob’s versatility in addressing the distinct needs of each client makes him a trusted partner. His practice centers on the following areas:

  • Asset sales and acquisitions
  • Bankruptcy litigation
  • Business and complex commercial litigation
  • Commercial lending
  • Consumer finance and regulation
  • Debtor representation
  • Financial services counsel and litigation
  • Franchise and distribution
  • Land use
  • Neutral alternative dispute resolution services
  • Receiverships
  • Secured creditor, unsecured creditor and committee representation
  • Workouts and restructuring

As a commercial lawyer, Robert has managed real estate transactions valued in the hundreds of millions, focusing on development, management and franchising issues. His bankruptcy practice is similarly broad. He represents creditors and debtors in the hospitality, real estate development and oil and gas sectors, where he has successfully confirmed reorganization plans. He also oversees agricultural reorganizations, drawing on his deep knowledge of the industry’s distinct challenges. Robert also represents lenders, developers and borrowers in real estate transactions involving hotels, resorts, golf courses and extensive commercial and residential developments.

Clients seeking clear, actionable guidance on complex legal matters rely on Robert to provide solutions that align with their business goals and safeguard their interests.

When asked…

What do you do outside of work?

With three adult children and one wonderful grandson, Robert enjoys spending time with his family exploring new and varied outdoor activities.

Areas of Focus

Services

Sectors

Experience

  • Acted as a receiver for a golf course and real estate developer, facilitating new capital acquisition and restructuring the developer’s debts.
  • Acted as counsel in an investor derivative lawsuit involving upscale hotel properties across multiple states, stabilizing operations during receivership to prevent loss of franchise affiliation.
  • Advised many closely held businesses with debts ranging from $100 million, guiding them through restructuring processes and achieving negotiated reorganizations inside and outside of bankruptcy.
  • Advocated for a Chapter 11 debtor with a national restaurant brand, managing pressure from various credit facilities by downsizing and rebranding operations, leading to a successful reorganization.
  • Advocated for numerous family farmers in Civil Rights claims against the US, including through Chapter 12 reorganizations.
  • Appeared in state and federal courts in civil litigation matters in more than 30 US States and Territories.
  • Represented a Chapter 11 debtor, a major regional provider of oilfield fluid transportation services, in a successful reorganization following a seller’s misrepresentations, resulting in a restructured company with new capital.
  • Represented a global takeout lender dealing with the failure of a planned lending facility, managing aggressive litigation across more than 20 states and involving numerous borrowers, ultimately leading to a successful wrap-up of the investment fund.
  • Represented a prominent international cookware manufacturer in a contested Chapter 11 reorganization, confirmed under a Section 1111(B) creditor election.
  • Represented both debtors and creditors in hotel-related reorganizations.
  • Represented parties in real estate transactions involving hundreds of millions of dollars.
  • Represented various parties in oral arguments before the US Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit, including successfully defending clients against claims of a Ponzi scheme by a state securities department and arguing the limits of 11 USC Section 523(a)(19).
  • Served as first-chair attorney in nearly 20 federal and state jury trials.
  • Served as receiver for retail and hospitality businesses, including resorts, hotels, and golf courses, in federal and state cases across the US.
  • Served on the Editorial Board of the ABA Bankruptcy Litigation report from 2005-2010 and was a frequent contributor to articles on issues ranging from the above-described 523(a)(19) issues to issues related to Net Present Valuation calculations.
  • Successfully represented many victims in Civil Rights and Civil RICO claims against multiple governmental bodies.
  • Successfully represented numerous developers in zoning ordinance challenges.

Credentials

Education

  • Oklahoma City University School of Law (J.D., with high honors)
  • University of Chicago (M.A., Social Sciences)
  • Seinan Gakuin University (Diploma in Japanese Studies)
  • Oklahoma Baptist University (B.A., magna cum laude)

Admissions

Bar Admissions

  • Arkansas
  • District of Columbia
  • Georgia
  • Iowa
  • Kansas
  • Kentucky
  • Minnesota
  • Missouri
  • New York
  • Ohio
  • Oklahoma
  • Pennsylvania
  • Tennessee

Court Admissions

  • U.S. Supreme Court
  • U.S. Tax Court
  • U.S. Court of Federal Claims
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas
  • U.S. District Court for the Western District of Arkansas
  • U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia
  • U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
  • U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois
  • U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois
  • U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan
  • U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri
  • U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri
  • U.S. District Court for the District of Nebraska
  • U.S. District Court for the District of New Mexico
  • U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York
  • U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York
  • U.S. District Court for the District of North Dakota
  • U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio
  • U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma
  • U.S. District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma
  • U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas
  • U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin
  • U.S. District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin
  • U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Arizona
  • U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas
  • U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Arkansas
  • U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Georgia
  • U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Illinois
  • U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Central District of Illinois
  • U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Illinois
  • U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Kansas
  • U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Massachusetts
  • U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Michigan
  • U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Michigan
  • U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Missouri
  • U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Missouri
  • U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Nebraska
  • U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of New Mexico
  • U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of New York
  • U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of New York
  • U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of North Dakota
  • U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Ohio
  • U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma
  • U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma
  • U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Oklahoma
  • U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Texas
  • U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Texas
  • U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Texas
  • U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin
  • U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Wisconsin

Recognitions

  • Martindale-Hubbell® "AV Preeminent" Rating
  • Selected among The Best Lawyers in America®, 2012-2024
  • Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers, 2018-2024
  • Selected for Oklahoma Super Lawyers in Civil Defense, Bankruptcy & Creditor/Debtor Rights; Land Use and Zoning; and Business Litigation, 2010-2018
  • Central Oklahoma Association of Legal Assistants, Attorney of the Year, 2011
  • Oklahoma County Bar Association, Leadership in Law Award, 2009
  • Oklahoma City University School of Law, Alumni Association Service Award, 2001

Presentations

  • Speaker, Hotels, Workouts, Receiverships and other Stuff, Annual Oklahoma Bar Association Advanced Bankruptcy Seminar, December 2, 2021
  • Speaker, Business Contracts: What you DIDN'T Learn in Law School (Negotiation Techniques You Won't Learn in Law School, Legal Ethics of Contracts and Negotiations), National Business Institute, June 24, 2020
  • Speaker, Preparing for Franchisee Bankruptcies in a COVID-19 World, Lathrop GPM Webinar, May 27, 2020
  • Speaker, Compliance and Technology Issues, Information Warfare Summit 11, InfraGard Oklahoma Members Alliance, October 3, 2018
  • Speaker, Primer on Consumer Bankruptcy for Non-Bankruptcy Practitioners, Oklahoma County Bar Association, 2012
  • Speaker, Negotiating Commercial Leases, Chapter on Impact of Bankruptcy, Oklahoma Bar Association Continuing Legal Education, 2009
  • Speaker, Negotiating and Drafting Acquisition Agreements in Oklahoma, Oklahoma Bar Association Continuing Legal Education, 2003

Publications

  • Co-author and Editorial Board Member, Thomson Reuters "Commercial Bankruptcy Litigation," 2d, 2022-2025 Editions
  • Co-author, Thomson Reuters "Strategic Alternatives For and Against Distressed Businesses," Oklahoma Chapter, 2022-2025 Editions
  • Author, "Are You Ready for the Coming Recession? Missouri Hotel & Lodging Association Newsletter, December 2018
  • Author, "An Open Response to a Recent Presidential Order," Daily Oklahoman, January 31, 2017
  • Co-author, Oklahoma Chapter, Trigild Guide to Receivership & Foreclosure, 2012 - 13 editions
  • Author, "Tomorrow May Be Too Late," Journal Record, September 20, 2012
  • Co-author, "A Weapon Unused: Offers of Judgment under 12 Okla. Stat. § 1106 - Forgotten, Misunderstood and Unused," Oklahoma Bar Journal, September 3, 2011
  • Co-author, "Nations Thirst for a Place at the Table," Journal Record, October 21, 2010
  • Co-author, "Is it a raft or a shark?(11 U.S.C. § 523(a)(19) Application to denial of discharge to securities law violators — broad or narrow construction?)," Bankruptcy Litigation, Summer 2009
  • Author, "Negotiating Commercial Leases," Sterling Education Services, Inc., August 6, 2009
  • Author, "Net Present Discount Valuation and Application in Bankruptcy," Bankruptcy Litigation, Winter 2009
  • Author, "Three Essays on Family Law: Tender years doctrine revisited," Oklahoma County Bar Briefcase, April 2008
  • Author, "Three Essays on Family Law: If I am going to lose my arm, then cut it off quickly," Oklahoma County Bar Briefcase, March 2008
  • Author, "Three Essays on Family Law: A kinder, gentler divorce? Or just common sense?" Oklahoma County Bar Briefcase, February 2008
  • Author, "Founders Sought Real Separation," Daily Oklahoman, March 25, 2005
  • Author, "Critic's Miss the Court's Point," Daily Oklahoman, July 9, 2003
  • Co-author, Negotiating the Drafting Acquisition Agreements in Oklahoma, National Business Institute, June 20, 2003
  • Author, "A Question on Wine," Oklahoma County Bar Briefcase, April 2003
  • Author, "Thoughts on Long Term Rentals," Hotel Business, January 2003
  • Author, "Never Lay a Salmon on the Ground with his Head Toward the River - State of Washington Sues Yakamas Over Alcohol Ban," American Indian Law Review, University of Oklahoma, February 2002

Professional Activities

  • American Arbitration Association - Arbitrator
  • American Bar Association, Business Litigation Section, Forum Committee on Franchising, Business Law/Business Bankruptcy Committee, Litigation Committee, Labor and Employment Law Committee
  • American Bankruptcy Institute
  • Federal Bar Association
  • Federal Court of Claims Bar Association
  • Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) - Arbitrator
  • Oklahoma County Bar Association, Bankruptcy Section, President 2009-2010
  • Oklahoma City University School of Law, Executive Board, 2002-2005; 2017 - Present; Alumni Association, President, 2007-2008
  • American Hotel and Lodging Association, Certified Hotel Administrator, since 1987