Lewis “Pete” A. Heaven

Pete Heaven has represented the most prominent residential and commercial real estate developers in the Midwest area for over 25 years. He also serves as counsel to a number of regional contractors, handling contract negotiation, bidding and construction issues.

Pete served as City Attorney of the City of Merriam, Kansas, for 18 years, gaining invaluable insight into the role of government in land use. This blend of knowledge about real estate development and the intricacies of local government make Pete extremely effective in presenting proposals to cities and counties on behalf of clients for planning, zoning, platting, public incentives, tax abatement and private activity bonds.

A sought-after speaker and writer, Pete frequently makes presentations to professional and civic groups. As co-editor of the Kansas Bar Association’s Real Estate Handbook, Pete has truly “written the book” on real estate in Kansas.

Court Memberships

• Kansas
• Missouri
• U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas

Honors

• Named “Kansas City, Kan. Litigation - Land Use and Zoning Lawyer of the Year” by Best Lawyers, 2012
• Selected among The Best Lawyers in America®, 2003-2012
• Selected as Best Lawyers Real Estate Lawyer of the Year for eastern Kansas - 2010
• Selected as “Leading Lawyer” by Chambers USA, 2003-2011
• Selected for Missouri/Kansas Super Lawyers, 2005-2011
• Selected for Best Attorneys Network Directory, 2005
• Outstanding Service Award, Kansas Bar Association, 2004
• Selected one of “Kansas City’s Top Lawyers,” Kansas City Magazine, 2002
• Fellow, American College of Real Estate Lawyers (ACREL), 2002
• Fellow, American College of Mortgage Attorneys, 1994
• Fellow, Kansas Bar Association Foundation, 2005
• America’s Best Lawyers, Real Estate, 2000
• Who's Who in Practicing Attorneys, 1990
• Martindale Hubbell® “AV” Rating

Professional Affiliations

• American College of Mortgage Attorneys, 1994-present
• American College of Real Estate Lawyers, 2002-present
• American Bar Association, 1977-present
• Johnson County Bar Association, 1977-present; Board of Directors, 1988-1989
• Kansas Bar Association, 1977-present; Executive Committee, Real Estate, Probate & Trust Law Section, 1986-present
• Johnson County Airport Commission, Chairman, 1999; Member, 1993-2002
• Past President, Shawnee Mission Rotary Club
• Past President, Safehome, Inc.
• Shawnee Rotary Club
• Transportation Lawyers Association, 2010-present

Publications

• Author and Lecturer, Kansas Bar Association, Subdivision Regulations, 2002; Homes Associations, 2002; Ethical Considerations in Zoning and Land Use Practice, 2001; Real Estate Ethics, 2000
• Author and Lecturer, Kansas Bar Association, Real Life Issues in Real Estate, Residential Subdivision Regulation, 1994; Lender Liability, 1993; Real Estate Finance in Troubled Times, Contracts for Deed, 1992
• Author and Lecturer, Kansas Bar Association, Life After Dolan, 1995; 1984-1989; Mortgage Registration Tax Issues, 2000
• Author and Lecturer, Lorman Seminars, Commercial Lease Hot Buttons,2002
• Author and Lecturer, Law Seminars International, Commercial Leases, 1999
• Author and Lecturer, Kansas Bar Association Annual Meeting, Stormwater Issues, 1999; Title Insurance, 1996; Residential and Commercial Development Regulations, 1995
• Co-editor, Kansas Real Estate Handbook
• Chapter Author, Kansas Real Estate Handbook, Restrictions & Covenants
• Author and Lecturer, State Bar of Nevada, Advanced Commercial Real Estate, Title Insurance Issues in Commercial Development, 1992
• Author and Lecturer, Johnson County Bar Association, Anatomy of a Subdivision, Deed Restrictions and Real Property Taxes, 1990
• Author and Lecturer, National Business Institute, Problem Loans in Kansas, Contracts for Deed, 1988; Commercial Lending, Mortgage Foreclosures,1988; Mortgage and Security Interest Foreclosures, 1987, 1986

Presentations

• Moderator, Kansas Bar Association, Real Estate Issues 2001; Environmental Concerns, Real Estate, 1990; Real Estate Redemption Law, 1988
• Lecturer, Greater Kansas City Home Builders Association, Contracts, 1998; Financing Growth: ‘A Crisis for Developers’, 1995
• Lecturer, Kansas City Association of Land Planners, Development Impact Fees, 1995
• Lecturer, Greater Kansas City CEO Roundtable, Business Planning, Independent Contractors, 1995
• Lecturer, Kansas City, Kansas Community College, Residential Real Estate Sales, Contract Negotiations, 1992