About Robert Spencer
Robert Spencer Payne trained for the bar and went on to practice across state and federal courts. He earned a law degree before gaining admission in Arizona and Utah, and he is admitted to practice before the Tenth Circuit. That pathway put him in position to handle both trial-level bankruptcy proceedings and appellate matters in federal court.
Payne built a practice rooted in bankruptcy work and established offices that serve clients in different parts of the region. He has maintained a presence in a Main Bankruptcy Office as well as a Provo Office. Those bases have allowed him to take cases in state and federal forums and to work with trustees, creditors and debtors in varying circumstances.
His caseload spans the usual contours of bankruptcy law. He represents individuals in consumer bankruptcies and advises small businesses and larger entities on reorganization options. His work involves Chapter 7 liquidations, Chapter 13 repayment plans and Chapter 11 reorganizations. He also handles related contested matters such as preference and fraudulent transfer disputes, claim objections and issues that arise in plan confirmation proceedings.
Payne appears in bankruptcy courts in jurisdictions where he is licensed and has filed matters in federal court. Admission to the Tenth Circuit allows him to pursue appeals when bankruptcy orders are challenged. He handles litigation that starts at the bankruptcy court level and, when required, moves up to district and appellate courts. His courtroom work includes contested hearings and trials, and he routinely interacts with bankruptcy trustees and court-appointed professionals.
Colleagues describe him as practical in courtroom settings and precise in drafting motions and plans. He balances litigation tasks with negotiation when a negotiated resolution is achievable. Outside court, he spends time preparing disclosure statements, cash-flow projections and plan documents. Payne works from his Main Bankruptcy Office and his Provo Office and serves clients across Arizona and Utah. He currently concentrates on bankruptcy matters for individuals and businesses in Arizona, Utah and before the Tenth Circuit.