SPRINGFIELD, Mo.—Wampler & Passanise has been voted the region’s top criminal defense firm in 2023 by the Best of SWMO. Presented by NWA Media in partnership with Explore Branson, more than 89,000 Missouri residents voted for organizations from 16 southwest Missouri counties in this year’s contest. Wampler Passanise was recognized in the professional services category. 

Best of SWMO noted that the attorneys at Wampler & Passanise believe that a person’s opportunities shouldn’t be permanently halted because of one mistake. Managing Partner Joseph S. Passanise and Associate Attorney Taylon M.  Sumners represent clients facing the most serious criminal allegations, including federal crimes, and have decades of combined legal experience. 

“We’re grateful and humbled to be recognized by the people of southwest Missouri as a leader in criminal defense,” Passanise said. “Every day, our team works to provide the best outcomes for our clients, ensuring they receive the best representation possible.”

About Wampler & Passanise

Wampler & Passanise has an experienced team of legal professionals providing clients with winning defense strategies for the most severe criminal charges. Founder Dee Wampler worked for over 50 years to build the Firm into a premier Criminal Defense leader before passing in October 2022. 

Passanise is a Fellow of the American Board of Criminal Lawyers (ABCL), a member of the National College of DUI Defense, the National Trial Lawyers Criminal Defense Top 100, and has been recognized for 18 years by Super Lawyers in Missouri and Kansas. He was recognized in the 2023 Ed. of The Best Lawyers in America® for Criminal Defense: General Practice, Criminal Defense: White-Collar, and DUI/DWI Defense. Passanise was Springfield Lawyer of the Year for Criminal Defense: White Collar in Best Lawyers in America, 2022 Ed. 

Sumners was recognized in the 2023 edition of Best Lawyers®: Ones to Watch in America. In 2022, she received the AVVO Client Choice Award and recognition as a Rising Star by Missouri Lawyers Media. In 2021, the Springfield Business Journal named her a Trusted Advisor.