Robert J. Haupt

Attorney, Arbitrator

From startups to Fortune 500s, we help you navigate complex legal challenges with clarity, confidence, and proven experience. We’ve been in your shoes – now we’re on your side!

“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.


Robert knows what running a business is like – he’s been there himself. Throughout his business and legal career, Robert has had an entrepreneurial commitment. He has owned and operated businesses in numerous arenas: hotels, apartments, real estate companies, service business such as travel agencies, property development and management companies, health and fitness clubs, outdoor advertising, technology driven legal services, and more. He has had thousands of employees spanning nearly 20 states and has dealt with the successes and failures associated with putting himself at risk.


Robert has built, managed, and grown businesses. Knowing what business owners can face, he offers his proficiency and experience to advocate for business owners or executives. He offers clear, strategic guidance grounded in real-world experience for navigating a major transaction, resolving a dispute, or restructuring during a downturn. From franchise matters, commercial litigation, to complex financial restructuring, Robert and his team interprets the law and offers practical problem-solving strategies for challenging problems.


Robert takes a practical and thoughtful approach to his matters, whether as an advocate, a litigator, a bankruptcy practitioner, or as arbitrator. Remember the adage, “one doesn’t go to the hardware store to buy a drill, but rather to obtain a hole.” It is the goal that drives the technique and methodology.

Admitted and Licensed

  • United States Supreme Court
  • United States Court of Federal Claims
  • United States Tax Court
  • United States Courts of Appeal for the Fifth, Eighth and Tenth Circuits
  • having appeared or argued before each
  • United States District or Bankruptcy Courts for the following districts

Alaska 

Florida, Middle 

Illinois, Southern 

Michigan, Western 

Nebraska 

North Dakota 

Oklahoma, Western 

Texas, Southern

Arizona 

Georgia, Northern 

Kansas 

Minnesota 

New Mexico 

Ohio, Northern 

Pennsylvania, Eastern 

Wisconsin, Eastern

Arkansas, Eastern 

Illinois, Northern 

Massachusetts 

Missouri, Eastern 

New York, Northern 

Oklahoma, Eastern 

Texas, Eastern 

Wisconsin, Western 

Arkansas, Western 

Illinois Central 

Michigan, Eastern 

Missouri, Western 

New York, Western 

Oklahoma, Northern 

Texas, Western

Appearances in other states and federal courts

Practice Areas

Haupt Law maintains a diverse and broad practice area reflecting the breadth of its experience. The areas of particular focus to Haupt Law are:


  • General Business & Complex Commercial Litigation
  • Arbitration and Alternative Dispute Resolution Services
  • Bankruptcy, Restructuring & Debtor and Creditors’ Rights
  • Receiverships
  • Franchise Dispute Resolution, in particular Hospitality
  • Land Use Litigation
  • Consumer Finance & Regulation
  • Financial Services Litigation

Memberships

  • American Bar Association American Bankruptcy Institute

Arbitration Panels and Certifications

  • American Arbitration Association, Consumer and Commercial Panels (AAA)
  • Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA)
  • Certified Hotel Administrator (CHA), American Hotel and Lodging Educational Institute

Education

  • Oklahoma Baptist University (B.A., magna cum laude)
  • Seinan Gakuin University, Fukuoka, Japan (Diploma in Japanese Studies)
  • University of Chicago (M.A. program, social science)
  • Oklahoma City University (J.D. with high honors)

Selected 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 20 federal and state jury trials.
  • Served as principal attorney in hundreds of reorganizations and dozens of Chapter 11 bankruptcies with confirmed plans of reorganization.
  • 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.

Presentations

  • Speaker, Distressed Situations (Bankruptcy and Restructurings) Overview, Lathrop GPM/Forvis Mazars Webinar, May 21, 2025
  • 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

Recognitions

  • Martindale-Hubbell® "AV Preeminent" Rating
  • Selected among The Best Lawyers in America®, Litigation-Bankruptcy, Litigation-Land Use and Zoning, 2012-2025
  • Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers, 2018-2025 in Bankruptcy Litigation
  • 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

If your business is challenged with a dispute, restructuring, or growth planning, Haupt Law is here to help.