Joseph S. Passanise
Attorney Profile
Top Rated Criminal Defense Attorney in Springfield, MO
Joseph S. Passanise is an attorney at Wampler & Passanise Law Office in Springfield, Missouri, where he practices criminal defense law. He represents clients throughout the Springfield area.
Practicing law for over 20 years, Mr. Passanise handles cases involving drug charges, DWI defense, and allegations of sex offenses, violent crimes and white collar crimes. He also helps people repair their records through expungement. He is an active member of his legal community and belongs to the Missouri Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, The National College for DUI Defense and the National Child Abuse Defense & Resource Center.
Martindale-Hubbell has awarded Mr. Passanise an AV Preeminent* peer review rating. “The Best Lawyers in America” has listed him in its publication many years in a row and The National Trial Lawyers has included him on its “Top 100 Trial Lawyers” list every year since 2007.
Additionally, Mr. Passanise is a fellow in the American Board of Criminal Lawyers. He is also the recipient of awards from organizations, including the Springfield Metropolitan Bar and the Missouri Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.
Mr. Passanise graduated with honors from Missouri State University with a bachelor’s degree in political science. He went on to receive a master’s degree in communication from the same university and a master of business administration degree from Imperial College London. He earned his law degree from Washburn University School of Law.
Mr. Passanise holds a license to practice law before all Missouri state courts. He is also qualified to appear before the U.S. District Courts for the Eastern and Western Districts of Missouri, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit and the Supreme Court of the United States.
*AV®, AV Preeminent®, Martindale-Hubbell Distinguished and Martindale-Hubbell Notable are certification marks used under license in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies. Martindale-Hubbell® is the facilitator of a peer review rating process. Ratings reflect the anonymous opinions of members of the bar and the judiciary. Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Rating™ fall into two categories – legal ability and general ethical standards.
- 50%Criminal Defense
- 30%Criminal Defense: DUI/DWI
- 20%Criminal Defense: White Collar
Criminal Law, Drug & Alcohol Violations, Expungement, Sex Offenses, DUI/DWI, White Collar Crime
Selections
- Super Lawyers: 2006 - 2021
Additional Sources of Information About Joseph S. Passanise
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About Joseph S. Passanise
First Admitted: 1997, Missouri
Professional Webpage: https://entrapped.com/joseph-s-passanise/
Honors/Awards
- Lifetime Achievement, America’s Top 100 Attorneys
- Top 100 Trial Lawyer, National Trial Lawyers, 2007 - Present
- Super Lawyer, Kansas Super Lawyers Magazine
- Super Lawyer, Missouri Super Lawyers Magazine
- Awardee, Lawyer of the Year, MO Criminal Defense: White Collar, 2018
- Awardee, Charles M. Shaw Award, Missouri Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, 2013
- President’s Award, Springfield Metropolitan Bar Association, 2008
- Finalist for “Lawyer of the Year” by Missouri Lawyer’s Weekly, 2009
- Fellow, American Board of Criminal Lawyers, 2013
- Non-Partisan Court Plan effort in Greene County
- One of the Top Five "up and coming lawyers" for the state of Missouri, 2003
- Order of Barristers
- President’s Award, Missouri Bar, 2009
- Who's Who in American Law, 2005 - Present
- Lon O. Hocker Trial Advocacy Award, Missouri Bar, 2002
- Received a Corpus Juris Secundum Award in Criminal Law
- Best Lawyers in America, 2007 - Present
- Springfield Metropolitan Bar Association President's recently honored Passanise with the 2008 President Award
- With Honors, Washburn University School of Law, 1997
- AV-Preeminent* rating by Martindale-Hubbell
Special Licenses/Certifications
- I have been recognized by the National College for DUI Defense as a General Member in good standing. This organization recognizes attorneys that handle driving under the influence cases
Educational Background
- Missouri State University, M.A. in Communication, 1993
- Missouri State University, Degree in Political Science and Communication, with honors, 1991
- University of London, Imperial College, M.B.A., Rotary Scholar, 1995
Scholarly Lectures/Writings
- Frequent Speaker at Missouri Bar and MACDL Conferences
- Author, Witness Preparation and Examination for DUI Proceedings, Aspatore, 2013 and 2014
Bar/Professional Activity
- U.S. Court of Appeal 8th Circuit
- National Child Abuse Defense and Resource Center (2011-Present)
- Past President, Missouri Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (MACDL)
- U.S. Supreme Court
- U.S. District Court Eastern District of Missouri
- Member, National College of DUI Defense, 2004 - Present
- U.S. District Court Western District of Missouri
- American Association for Justice, 2007 - Present
Other Outstanding Achievements
- January 1998 to Present- Missouri State University- Per Course Faculty- Legal Communication
Pro bono/Community Service
- Phi Delta Theta Educational Foundation – (Missouri Epsilon Chapter) President (1998-Present) Vice President (1997-1998)
- Member, National Child Abuse Defense and Resource Center, 2011 - Present
- Parenting Life Skills Board (2008 – Present)
- Lectures at High Schools and Colleges about Criminal Law and Constitutional Issues
- Phi Delta Theta- Province President (2001-Present)
Last Updated: 6/25/2021