Jake Hecker joined the firm in 2016 as an experienced commercial litigation trial lawyer after moving from Phoenix, Arizona to Kansas City, Kansas.  He has been practicing law since 2006, and concentrates his practice on business, tort, contract, franchise, commercial finance and general banking, real estate, construction, insurance defense and securities litigation matters.  His experience also extends to creditor’s rights issues, including assisting secured and unsecured creditors in collecting consumer and commercial debts under both state law and federal bankruptcy law.

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Jake has experience at both the state and federal court levels in Kansas, Missouri, and Arizona – including the Arizona Court of Appeals, as well as in alternative dispute resolution forums such as the American Arbitration Association and private mediation and arbitration.  He also has substantial experience with Multi District Litigation and Class Action cases.  Additionally, Jake has been an acting assistant prosecutor for the City of Mission, Kansas since 2016.

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Jake represents and advises various clients such as financial institutions, international franchisors, lenders, commercial developers and other real estate agencies, real estate investors, commercial property owners, title and escrow companies, national retailers, national retail grocery store chains, national insurance companies, contractors, construction companies, health care providers, alternative energy companies, municipalities, as well as various other corporations, limited liability companies, partnerships, and individuals.  Jake is knowledgeable, skilled, and experienced in all phases of the litigation process, including pre-litigation tactics, drafting pleadings, conducting discovery, motion practice and oral arguments, settlement negotiation, trial preparation, and trial by jury or by bench.

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Jake received both his bachelor’s degree and Juris Doctorate from the University of Kansas.  While in law school, Jake served as Executive Note and Comment Editor of the Kansas Law Review and received the 2005 American College of Trial Lawyers Award.  He is currently admitted in both state and federal courts in Kansas, Missouri, and Arizona, and is also licensed in bankruptcy proceedings in the District of Kansas and the Western District of Missouri.

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Representative Experience

Successfully defended an international franchisor in private arbitration against fraud, breach of contract, and misrepresentation claims alleged by a former franchisee resulting in zero liability or damages, while also successfully securing an attorney’s fee award.

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Successfully enforced a national grocery store chain’s contractual rights in a federal jury trial resulting in both monetary and injunctive relief.

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Represented a national financial institution in successfully defeating an attempted class action certification in state court for alleged fraud and misrepresentation of a consumer product.

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Represented a national financial institution in numerous litigation enforcement actions regarding secured notes and guarantees, all resulting in favorable outcomes for the client.

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Worked exclusively for an Arizona banking institution client onsite for several months handling loan liability and recourse analysis.

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Successfully enforced construction company’s contractual rights in state court resulting in recovery of full contract amount, interest, and attorney’s fee award.

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Community Involvement

• United Way

• Rosie’s House Fundraising Efforts

• Vineyards Commons Home Owners Association, Board Member (2007 – 2012)