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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.
461 Client Reviews
Showing 26 - 30 of 49 reviews | General Knowledge
Posted by anonymous | September 05, 2020 | Hired Attorney | Arbitration
Very professional an extremely proficient.
Mr Passanise was very helpful and completely capable of handling our case. Mr Passanise was very flexible on scheduling meetings with us and we had every bit of confidence that he could arbitrate an "end result" that would be fair and agreeable to all parties involved. We had no problems with Mr Pass...
Posted by anonymous | June 12, 2020 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense
Passanise :)
We searched numerous firms regarding our issue. We called Joe and actually met with us on Saturday at his office. Others only wanted to talk on the phone. They really care for their clients. I was totally out of my element dealing with the charges. Watching them in the courtroom was impressive. They...
Posted by Gant | April 03, 2020 | Hired Attorney
Amazing and caring
Joe and Sarah have been a God send! He is so much more than my attorney. He is compassionate and has done more than I could ever hope for. Email questions answered almost immediately. Performed far beyond anyone's expectation. Joe gave me peace of mind, provided my wife and family with comfort. There...
Posted by Jodi | March 09, 2020 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense
Highly Recommend
I’m so grateful that I had Joseph (Joe) Passanise as my attorney. He made me feel as if I was his only priority. He met with myself & my husband on a Saturday. He explained my charges & what I was facing. He was compassionate, kind, yet firm. He showed genuine concern for me & made sure I was comp...
Posted by anonymous | March 05, 2020 | Hired Attorney | Drug Crime
Would recommend for drug related offenses
Very pleased with the outcome of our drug related case. Mr. Passanise gave excellent legal advice and went above and beyond to provide appropriate direction. Following his advice was a determining factor in the positive outcome of this case. His expertise in the courtroom and the respect he garner...
"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