J. Michael Payne has been a member of the firm since 1980. Mr. Payne maintains a general civil practice. In addition to handling a variety of litigation cases, he has extensive experience in handling complex bankruptcy matters. Mr. Payne is a member of The Missouri Bar and the National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys. He received his B.S. in 1972 from Southeast Missouri State University (magna cum laude).
Mr. Payne taught high school mathematics and was a coach before going to law school. He attends St. Mary Cathedral Church in Cape Girardeau and is active in both church and school activities. In 2019, Mr. Payne was awarded the Cape Girardeau Parks & Recreation Lifetime Achievement Award for his lifelong commitment to youth sports. He was awarded his J.D. in 1980 from the University of Missouri-Columbia (cum laude, Order of the Coif), where he was Note and Comment Editor of the Missouri Law Review.
Education
- J.D., University of Missouri (1980)
- Order of the Coif, Cum laude
- Missouri Law Review – Note and Comment Editor
- B.S., Southeast Missouri State University (1972)
- Magna cum laude
Practice Areas
- Individual bankruptcy
- Corporate bankruptcy
- General litigation
- Social Security Disability