Michael J. Payne is a partner at Frankel, Rubin, Klein, Siegel, Payne & Pudlowski, P.C. and focuses his practice on estate planning, fiduciary litigation and civil litigation. He counsels individuals, couples, families and small business owners in creating an estate plan that is specifically tailored to their individualized needs. His passion for estate planning is evident in his approach of collaborating with clients to solve their most important personal, legal and business planning decisions. Michael has handled cases throughout Missouri, representing individuals, trustees, beneficiaries and personal representatives in estate and trust litigation, including claims of undue influence, lack of capacity, self-dealing and breaches of fiduciary duties. His years of litigation experience combined with his estate planning practice gives him the ability to not only work with clients to avoid the risks of fiduciary disputes, but how to handle them once they arise. Michael has a broad civil litigation practice which includes disputes among shareholders, partners and family members in closely-held businesses. He has many years of experience defending corporations against lawsuits brought under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (“FRCA”), the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (“FDCPA”) and similar consumer protection laws. Michael has successfully tried numerous FDCPA cases, argued multiple cases before the Appellate Courts in Missouri and has presented seminars on corporate compliance and defending consumer claims.
Michael is a member of The Missouri Bar, the Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis, St. Louis County Bar Association and The American Bar Association. Michael was recognized as a 2012 “Up and Coming Lawyer” by Missouri Lawyers Weekly.
Michael received his undergraduate degree in political science and his juris doctorate from the University of Missouri-Columbia. Michael lives in Town & Country with his wife Megan and their four children.