Joseph S. Passanise

Presently, he serves on the Parenting Life Skills Board and is involved in a number of community projects. Passanise is married to Jennifer Steffes and they have two beautiful children Bella and Samuel along with two labs, Josie and Alibi.

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.

Joseph S. Passanise graduated with honors from Missouri State University with an undergraduate degree in Political Science and Communication (1991) and Master’s of Arts degree 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) and obtained Juris Doctor degree, with Honors, from Washburn University School of Law (1997).

In 2013, Passanise was selected as a fellow by the American Board of Criminal Lawyers. (ABCL) The ABCL selects attorneys who practice in criminal law after a rigorous and investigatory process and only 5 attorneys have been selected in Missouri. Passanise has been awarded the highest rating of “AV” by Martindale-Hubbell. The Missouri Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers awarded Passanise with the prestigious Charles M. Shaw award for excellence in trial advocacy in 2013. The Missouri Bar selected Passanise as a President’s Award Recipient (2009) and a Lon O. Hocker Trial Advocacy Award recipient (2002). The Springfield Metropolitan Bar Association honored Passanise with the 2008 President’s Award for extraordinary service. Missouri Lawyer’s Weekly chose him as a finalist for “Lawyer of the Year” (2008) and one of the top five “Up and Coming Lawyers” (2003).

His peers have recognized him as a Best Lawyer in America (2007-Present) in the practice area of white collar, non white collar and DUI defense. In addition, Joe was awarded the 2018, MO Criminal Defense: White Collar “Lawyer of the Year.” The Wampler and Passanise firm has been recognized as having a “Best Firm” by Best Lawyers over 6 years (2010-Present). He has also been selected as a “Super Lawyer” by Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers Magazine for ten years in a row. (2006-Present). He is also listed in Who’s Who in American Law (2005-Present) and named a “Top 100 Trial Lawyer” by the National Trial Lawyers (2007-Present). In 2017, Joe was recognized as a Lifetime Achievement selection among America’s Top 100 Attorneys®.

• Missouri Bar
• Missouri Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (Life Member)
  • President (2005-2006)
• Springfield Metropolitan Bar Association
  • Board of Directors (2003 – 2006)
  • Criminal Law Committee, Chairman (1999 – 2002)
  • Historical Committee (1999-2000, 2003-Present)
• National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (1997 – Present) (Life Member)
• National College of DUI Defense (General Member 2004 – Present)
• The Supreme Court Historical Society (2004 – Present)
• American Judicature Society (2004 – Present)
• National Child Abuse Defense & Resource Center (2011-Present)
• Phi Delta Phi (1997- Present)

• Licensed in Supreme Court of the United States (2002)
• Licensed in the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals (2002)
• Licensed in Federal Court, Western District-Missouri (1997)
• Licensed in Federal Court, Eastern District – Missouri (2009)

Both Scott and Joe speak to social fraternities and sororities at Missouri State University and Drury University each year to advise them and answer questions regarding safe practices and laws in Greene County. Joe also speaks at local high schools, businesses, and to law enforcement. For scheduling information, reach out to us at intern@deewampler.com.

• Missouri Bar Deskbook
• Trial Advocacy Chapter – Co-Author with Dee Wampler
• Aspatore, Witness Preparation and Examination for DUI Proceedings, 2013 Edition, (Chapter) Handling DUI’s in a “No Win” Jurisdiction
• Aspatore, Witness Preparation and Examination for DUI Proceedings, 2013 Edition, (Chapter) Going into Battle: Preparation for the Witnessesin DWI/DUI Cases.