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also known as Joe Passanise, Joseph Passanise
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Joseph S. Passanise graduated with honors from Missouri State University with an undergraduate degree in Political Science and Communication (1991) and a Master of Arts in Communication (1993). He continued his education as a Rotary Scholar, obtaining a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from the University of London, Imperial College (1995). He received a Juris Doctor degree, with Honors, from Washburn University School of Law (1997).
Passanise is licensed to practice before the Supreme Court of the United States, the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals, and both the Western and Eastern District Federal Courts in Missouri. He has been fortunate to practice in many Federal and State Jurisdictions in the United States. As the Managing Partner of Wampler & Passanise, he practices criminal defense in Federal, State, and Municipal Courts. For over 25 years, he practiced law with Partner the late Dee Wampler and has been at the Firm for close to 35 years.
His peers have recognized Passanise as one of the Best Lawyers in America for 17 years (2007-Present) in the practice areas of criminal defense, white-collar crimes, and DUI defense and as Springfield Lawyer of the Year for Criminal Defense: General Practice (2021). He was Springfield Lawyer of the Year for Criminal Defense: White Collar (2022). Wampler & Passanise has been recognized as a Best Firm by Best Lawyers for over 14 years (2010-Present).
In 2013, Passanise was selected as a fellow by the American Board of Criminal Lawyers. (ABCL) The ABCL selects attorneys who practice criminal law after a rigorous vetting process. Only five attorneys have been selected in Missouri. Martindale-Hubbell has awarded Passanise the highest rating of “AV.” MACDL recognized him for Excellence in Trial Advocacy and awarded Passanise the prestigious Charles M. Shaw Award for excellence in trial advocacy (2013.)
The Missouri Bar selected Passanise as a President’s Award Recipient for his leadership during the nonpartisan judicial campaign in Greene County. He received the Missouri Bar’s Lon O. Hocker Trial Advocacy Award in 2002. The Springfield Metropolitan Bar Association honored Passanise with the 2008 President’s Award for extraordinary service. In 2023, Missouri Lawyers recognized him as a Firm Leader. Passanise has been selected as a Super Lawyer by Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers Magazine for 18 years. (2006-Present). He is a Top 100 Trial Lawyerwith National Trial Lawyers (2007-Present).
Passanise is a Past President of the Missouri Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (2005-2006) and a frequent speaker at Missouri Bar and MACDL conferences. He has been chosen as a member by the National College of DUI Defense (2004-Present) and Sustaining Member (2021). He has written articles on various topics over the years.
Passanise received Governor Appointments from Governor Mike Parson to Tourism (2020) and the Senate Redistricting Commission (2021.) The Springfield Business Journal selected him as one of the publication’s 12 to Know in 2022 and recognized him as a Trusted Advisor in 2022. He was in the publication’s 2005 Class of 40 Under 40.
5
Practice Areas
30 years | 3,000 cases
30 years | 5,000 cases
30 years | 600 cases
30 years | 200 cases
Free Consultation
$0 first 30 minutes
Sometimes
State: Missouri
Acquired: 1997
No misconduct found
Other places you can find Joseph online.
Showing 1 - 5 of 461 client reviews from Avvo
Posted by Audrey | December 16, 2025 | Hired Attorney
I am beyond grateful for everything Joe and Sarah accomplished for me! I came in overwhelmed, stressed, and unsure of what to do next and how my future would look. The very first conversation I had with Joe I felt heard and not judged. They treated me like a human being instead of just another case. ...
Posted by anonymous | November 21, 2025 | Hired Attorney
I was more than happy with the outcome of my case. Joe took unbelievably good care of me and I would absolutely recommend him to anyone who is needing to be represented. Nothing that was asked of me was unreasonable and with the help of Joe and his team, I was able to turn my life around completely a...
Posted by anonymous | November 10, 2025 | Hired Attorney
Extremely professional and knowledgeable. Made sure i understood their processes and strategies for my case. Made communication very easy.
Posted by Sara | July 1, 2025 | Hired Attorney
Hands down the Best defense lawyer!! He makes miracles happen! I couldn't have asked for a better lawyer, with what I had going on! Thank you, Thank you for everything you've done for me!! I would recommend you to everyone!
Posted by Jim | June 30, 2025 | Hired Attorney
Mr. Passanise, and his paralegal assistant, Sarah Shewmaker were the best legal scholars we have ever dealt with in the legal profession. They were very clear in establishing a plan, communicated with us at the highest level, kept us informed on each step, and their hard work resulted in a very posi...
"I've worked with Joe for seven years as of 2022. No one will work harder or go to bat for you more than Joe. He's not afraid to ask the hard questions or ask for what may seem like an outrageous resolution at the time. Overall, there is no one more qualified than Joe to handle any type of criminal defense matter in this area, and maybe even the state. His deposition and negotiation skills are second to none."
"Nobody works harder for their clients than the attorneys at The Law Offices Of Dee Wampler and Joseph Passanise. Mr. Passanise has written the book on DWI law. Worth every dime."
"The Wampler and Passanise team are the most competent and well-respected criminal defense attorneys in the southwest Missouri area. I respect and endorse this firm for all criminal defense matters."
Criminal defense lawyer
DUI and DWI lawyer
2025
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2024
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2023
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2022
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2021
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2020
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2019
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2018
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2017
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2016
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2015
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2014
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2013
Best Lawyers in America, Best Lawyers in America
2013
Super Lawyer, Missouri Super Lawyers
2013
American Trial Lawyers Association, American Trial Lawyers Association
2012
Who's Who in American Law, Who's Who In American Law
2012
American Trial Lawyers Association, American Trial Lawyers Association
2012
Super Lawyer, Missouri Super Lawyers
2012
Best Lawyers in America, Best Lawyers in America
2011
American Trial Lawyers Association, American Trial Lawyers Association
2011
Super Lawyer, Missouri Super Lawyers
2011
Top 100 Super Lawyers in Missouri, Missouri Super Lawyers
2011
Best Lawyers in America, Best Lawyers in America
2010
American Trial Lawyers Association, American Trial Lawyers Association
2010
Super Lawyer, Missouri Super Lawyers
2010
Best Lawyers in America, Best Lawyers in America
2009
President’s Award, Missouri Bar
2009
Super Lawyer, Missouri Super Lawyers
2009
Best Lawyers in America, Best Lawyers in America
2009
Finalist for Lawyer of the Year, Missouri Lawyers Weekly
2009
American Trial Lawyers Association, American Trial Lawyers Association
2008
President's Award, Springfield Metropolitan Bar Association
2008
Who's Who in American Law, Who's Who In American Law
2008
Super Lawyer, Missouri Super Lawyers
2008
Best Lawyers in America, Best Lawyers in America
2008
American Trial Lawyers Association, American Trial Lawyers Association
2007
Best Lawyers in America, Best Lawyers in America
2007
Who's Who in American Law, Who's Who In American Law
2007
Super Lawyer, Missouri Super Lawyers
2007
American Trial Lawyers Association, American Trial Lawyers Association
2006
Super Lawyer, Missouri Super Lawyers
2006
Who's Who in American Law, Who's Who In American Law
2005
40 Under 40, Springfield Business Journal
2005
Who's Who in American Law, Who's Who In American Law
2003
One of Top Five Up and Coming Lawyers, Missouri Lawyers Weekly
2002
Outstanding Alumni Award, Phi Delta Theta - Missouri Epsilon
2002
Lon O. Hocker Trial Advocacy Award, Missouri Bar
2001
National Registry of Who's Who, National Registry of Who's Who
2000
Outstanding Alumni Award, Phi Delta Theta - Missouri Epsilon
1999
Class XIV, Leadership Springfield
1999
Outstanding Alumni Award, Phi Delta Theta - Missouri Epsilon
1998
Outstanding Young Men of America, Outstanding Young Men of America
1998
"Up and Comers to Watch in '99", Springfield Magazine
1998
Class XIV, Leadership Springfield
1997 - Present
Managing Partner, Law Offices of Dee Wamper & Joseph S Passanise
2011 - Present
National Child Abuse Defense & Resource Center
2009 - Present
Federal Court, Eastern District-MissouriLicensed
2004 - Present
National College of DUI DefenseGeneral Member
2004 - Present
American Judicature Society
2004 - Present
Supreme Court Historical Society
2003 - Present
Springfield Metropolitan Bar AssociationHistorical Committee
2002 - Present
United States Supreme CourtLicensed
2002 - Present
Eighth Circuit Court of AppealsLicensed
1997 - Present
National Association of Criminal Defense LawyersLifetime Member
1997 - Present
Phi Delta Phi
1997 - Present
Federal Court, Western District-MissouriLicensed
Lifetime Member
2005 - 2006
Missouri Association of Criminal Defense LawyersFormer President
2003 - 2006
Springfield Metropolitan Bar AssociationFormer Board of Directors
1999 - 2000
Springfield Metropolitan Bar AssociationHistorical Committee
1999 - 2002
Springfield Metropolitan Bar AssociationCriminal Law Committee, Chairman
1997
JD - Juris Doctor
1995
MBA - Master of Business Administration
1993
Master of Arts
1991
BS - Bachelor of Science
English