The courtroom was quiet as the verdict loomed, but Scott B. Poor wasn’t focused on winning or losing — he was focused on saving a life. As a former Assistant Attorney General turned defense attorney, he had seen too many cases where addiction went untreated, misjudged as a moral failure instead of the disease it is. This wasn’t just another case. It was a turning point. And it sparked a movement that would soon become Hartenstein Poor & Foster LLC — a law firm not just built to fight, but to heal.
A Mission Born from Recovery
In Wichita, Kansas, where legal tradition runs deep, Hartenstein Poor & Foster is rewriting the rules. Founded by Scott B. Poor, an attorney with a formidable résumé — former Executive Director of the Kansas Republican Party, veteran lobbyist, and experienced litigator — the firm is deeply personal. Poor’s 25 years of sobriety and lived experience in recovery underpin every legal strategy the firm deploys.
“I built this firm because the legal community doesn’t know how to talk about addiction — let alone fight for those who suffer from it,” Poor says. “We’re not just attorneys. We’re advocates. And many of us have lived the battle.”
From day one, Hartenstein Poor & Foster set out to be different — not just another criminal defense shop, but a transformative force in Kansas’s justice system.
The Fentanyl Reckoning
Today, fentanyl is rewriting the rules of criminal defense. Potent, pervasive, and deadly, it has upended how the courts view drug-related charges. But the legal world has been slow to adapt.
That’s where Hartenstein Poor & Foster steps in. As the largest criminal defense firm in the Wichita area and the top firm in Kansas for drug and alcohol cases, they are leading a quiet revolution — treating the opioid crisis not just as a legal issue, but as a public health emergency.
Their clients often come in with more than charges; they come with trauma, broken families, and a desperate need for hope. And while most law firms focus purely on the legal fight, HPF does more — integrating treatment into their defense strategies and focusing on long-term recovery for their clients.
A New Kind of Legal Advocacy
What truly sets Hartenstein Poor & Foster apart is its trauma-informed approach — a rarity in criminal defense. Every attorney in the firm is trained to recognize and understand how trauma and substance use disorders shape behavior. That understanding forms the foundation for every case they take.
“Trauma changes people,” says Poor. “If you don’t understand that, you can’t really defend them.”
The firm employs a multidisciplinary model, often collaborating with therapists, treatment providers, and case managers to ensure their clients aren’t just avoiding jail — they’re rebuilding their lives. They believe legal defense doesn’t end in the courtroom. It ends when someone finds sobriety, stability, and a second chance.
From Courtroom to Community
HPF doesn’t stop at case law. They’re actively involved in advocacy, education, and outreach. The firm offers seminars on legal rights, addiction, and trauma for the local community and works closely with grassroots organizations to expand access to recovery-focused justice.
Internally, the firm operates with the same values they advocate for. Many on staff are themselves in recovery or have close connections to addiction. The culture is one of understanding and purpose — not judgment. This ethos has created a powerful ripple effect, changing not just how the firm practices law, but how the community views those caught in the grip of addiction.
Built for the Crisis, Designed for the Future
In a time when the justice system is under scrutiny for how it handles mental health and addiction, Hartenstein Poor & Foster stands as a model for reform. Their size, influence, and results speak volumes — but it’s their heart, their lived empathy, and their relentless commitment to dignity that set them apart.
Their work has helped countless Kansans find not just legal victories, but life-changing transformations. And as the fentanyl epidemic grows, their message is clear: we need new tools, new voices, and a new way forward.
If you or someone you love is facing charges related to drugs or alcohol, discover a legal team that understands the fight from the inside out. Visit legalhpf.com or connect with Hartenstein Poor & Foster on Facebook to learn how they’re changing the system — one life at a time.
