Sharon L. Stolte is the leader of the firm's Bankruptcy group. She brings more than 25 years of experience in business law and business and commercial litigation. Sharon’s legal practice focuses on bankruptcy, Chapter 11 debtor and creditor issues, as well as Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 consumer debtor matters. She has represented creditors in all aspects of creditor rights litigation, claim objection litigation, collateral realization, mechanic liens, collections, foreclosures and replevin litigation.
Sharon has also assisted financial institutions, lenders and large suppliers with consumer and commercial restructuring of troubled credits and other business matters. In addition to representing clients before both state and federal courts, she has served as national counsel for several Kansas City-based construction industry firms. As a result of the breadth of her practice and her years of experience, Sharon is well-known and highly-regarded in the Kansas City legal community.
Sharon currently serves on the Kansas Bankruptcy Bench Bar Committee. She has also served on the Attorney Advisory Committee for the Western District of Missouri Bankruptcy Court. Sharon is a Board Member on the American Bankruptcy Institute Advisory Board for the Midwestern Bankruptcy Institute.
Sharon was recently selected by the United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri for their List of Neutrals for Category I and II. The Mediation and Assessment Program (MAP) is the Western District of Missouri’s alternative dispute resolution (ADR) program for civil lawsuits. MAP provides an early opportunity for litigants to productively explore options for resolving the case or narrow the issues in dispute and may also be used at later stages of litigation.
Regardless of business size or legal need, Sharon’s focus is always on being a passionate advocate for her clients and tirelessly pursuing their best interests. By taking on their current legal issues as her own and working to solve each problem presented, she takes pride in being able to put everything back together whenever businesses or relationships break down.
Previously Sharon was Managing Attorney of the firm’s Kansas City office where she worked directly with the firm’s CEO, practice group and senior firm leadership on all aspects of the operation of the Kansas City office.
In addition to her legal career, Sharon enjoys spending time with her family, which includes her husband and three children and their many sports and activities.
American Bankruptcy Institute Midwestern Bankruptcy Institute, Board Member
American Bar Association
Associated General Contractors of Missouri
Association for Women Lawyers of Greater Kansas City (AWL)
International Women's Insolvency and Restructuring Confederation, Member
Johnson County Bar Association
Kansas Bankruptcy Bench Bar Committee (appointed by the court)
Kansas City Chapter of the American Bankruptcy Institute’s Advisory Board
Kansas City Bankruptcy Bar, Former Director
Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association Commercial & Bankruptcy Law Committee, Former Vice Chair
Former Workout Professional Organization, Former Officer
Turnaround Management Association, Midwest Chapter, President
Western Missouri Bankruptcy Court’s Attorney Advisory Group (AAG)
Education
J.D., University of Kansas School of Law
B.A., University of Colorado
Licensure(s) and Admission(s)
Kansas District, Court of Appeals and Supreme Court
Missouri District, Court of Appeals and Supreme Court
United States District and Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Missouri
United States District and Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Missouri
United States District and Bankruptcy Court for the District of Kansas
Sharon was selected to serve on the List of Neutrals for Category I and II for the United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri for the term of August 1, 2023 - July 31, 2024.
Sharon is also authorized to electronically file in most Federal Bankruptcy Courts in the United States.
Clerkship
Sharon clerked for the Honorable Massie Tillman, United States Bankruptcy Judge in Fort Worth, Texas.
Civic Activities
An active member of the Kansas City community, Sharon commits her time to many organizations outside the legal industry:
Heart of America Standdown Association for Homeless Veterans
Heartland Soccer Association, Vice President
Hope Lutheran Board of Education, Former Chairperson
Hope Lutheran Church and School Auction, Former Co-chair
Kansas Premier Soccer League, President
Kansas State Youth Soccer Association, Vice-President
United Way Fundraising Campaign
Presentations
Sharon is frequently invited to speak on legal issues in bankruptcy and creditors’ rights.
June 2020, Presentation to Western Missouri Bankruptcy Court’s Attorney Advisory Group
Publications
"Will We See More CRE Chapter 11 Bankruptcies as a Result of COVID?", Kansas City Business Journal, July 2021
Sharon regularly contributes to the Missouri Practice Series and composes the chapter pertaining to Mechanics Liens.
She is also a contributor to the Missouri In-House Counsel Magazine by Missouri Lawyers Media.