The choice of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely upon advertisements. Past results afford no guarantee of future results and every case is different and must be judged on its own merits, and depends on the quality of your attorney.
Best Lawyers
Expert Attorneys in Southwest Missouri
The jury is in on finding the attorney that is right for you. Browse 417 Magazine's Attorney Profiles to learn more about some of southwest Missouri’s best attorneys. These legal experts are ready to raise the bar for your case.
Nov 24 2021 at 9 a.m.
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Learn More About Each Attorney
Front Row: Jacob G. Eddy, Associate; Karen L. Johnson, Member; Brad Tuck, Member; Brittany Perry, Senior Associate;
Back row: Joshua R. Baker, Senior Associate; Kevin H. Dunaway, Of Counsel; Lynn Rodgers, Of Counsel; Shari L. Lockhart, Member; Dakota Paris, Associate.
Evans & Dixon, LLC
4905 S. National Ave. building B, Springfield | 417-882-4700
Missouri | Illinois | Kansas | Nebraska | Iowa
Evans & Dixon, LLC, is a full-service, regional law firm trusted by small and large business owners throughout Southwest Missouri.
They represent clients in a multitude of areas, including: banking-related litigation and loan review; business organization; employment matters; estate and succession planning; general civil litigation; insurance-related litigation and claims; mediations; shareholder agreements; transactions and outside general counsel for corporations.
By operating with the client’s best interest in mind, Evans & Dixon, LLC, is committed to helping business owners and insurers throughout 417-land achieve business success. Whether you’re an entrepreneur delving into a new small business venture, an established owner looking to merge or sell, or a CEO seeking counsel to protect your company, their business attorneys have the experience to tailor advice to your specific needs.
Your needs come first in Evans & Dixon’s approach to Workers’ Compensation law. Their attorneys are well-practiced at different claim-handling philosophies and, with a long-standing reputation of timely communication, are often involved in legislation.
Of course, in litigation law, there is nothing more important than experience. Evans & Dixon’s Civil and Commercial Litigation attorneys approach complex tort cases, involving a multitude of industries, with necessary aggression and a focus on timely results.
Learn more about their strengths and resources at evans-dixon.com.
Kurt Larson, Brad Miller
Larson & Miller
3331 E. Ridgeview St., Springfield | 417-890-6677
If you or your family is the victim of a drunk driver, this law firm will protect you. But if you hurt or kill someone after driving drunk, this firm will sue you and hold you accountable for the damage you cause.
Larson & Miller law firm has prosecuted over 100 impaired driving cases and achieved settlements in thousands of cases where their clients were seriously injured or lost a loved one. They are trial lawyers with a history of taking cases to court and winning. Even if you prefer to settle, arm yourself by hiring lawyers with a proven track record of success. Choose carefully. There are a lot of lawyers who have never had a jury trial or held even one drunk driver accountable in a court of law.
Larson & Miller law firm aims to prevent drunk driving crashes before they occur. Safe and Sober is a nonprofit founded by Kurt Larson, designed to educate students on the dangers of underage drug and alcohol use, and encourages them to pledge sobriety. Since its inception in 2004, Safe and Sober has reached nearly 1,000,000 students in more than 500 middle and high schools throughout the State of Missouri.
Taylon Sumners and Joseph S. Passanise
Wampler & Passanise Law Office
2974 E. Battlefield, Springfield | 417-882-9300
Wampler & Passanise provides unmatched experience in defense of juveniles and adults facing serious criminal allegations at the federal, state, and municipal court levels. The firm has an experienced team of legal professionals providing clients with winning defense strategies for the most serious criminal charges, including homicide, drugs and weapons offenses, fraud, embezzlement, white-collar crime, felony DUI/DWI, and crimes involving domestic violence and burglary. A key point of difference is the firm’s team approach to cases and experience litigating in the courtroom.
The firm, led by Managing Partner Joseph S. Passanise, a Fellow of the American Board of Criminal Lawyers, and Associate Attorney Taylon M. Sumners, has been recognized among the region’s best criminal defense firms by Super Lawyers®, Best Lawyers©, AVVO, the National Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys, and the National Trial Lawyers Top 100. The firm was also recognized in U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers© “Best Law Firms” for 2023.
Passanise was recognized by Best Lawyers© 2023 Ed. for Criminal Defense General Practice, White-Collar, and DUI/DWI. He serves on the Missouri Board of Tourism.
Sumners was recognized by Best Lawyers©: Ones to Watch for Criminal Defense and in the Up-and-Coming category by Missouri Lawyers in 2022. She serves on the Greene County Historical Sites Board.
Shane Cantin and Erica Mynarich
Cantin Mynarich, LLC
2560 S. Glenstone Ave., Suite C, Springfield | 417-831-6363
Cantin Mynarich, LLC, aggressively defends individuals accused of serious drug, firearm, white-collar and sex offenses in state and federal courts. They know this is a scary time, so Shane Cantin and Erica Mynarich prioritize frequent communication with their clients. Cantin Mynarich fully investigates the facts of your case and all possible defenses and advocates for the best possible result.
Because Shane and Erica only handle criminal matters, they have developed strong relationships with the prosecutors and courts. Due to their reputation and results at trial and on appeal, other lawyers often refer their most complex criminal cases to Cantin Mynarich.
Top row: Laura C. Robinson, Cory L. Collins, Ginger K. Gooch, Michael A. Cosby, J. Michael Bridges, Christopher W. Peterson; Front row: David C. Agee, Bryan O. Wade
Husch Blackwell
901 St. Louis St., Suite 1800, Springfield | 417-268-4000
Husch Blackwell leads clients from where they are to where they want to be. The Best Lawyers in America© recognizes David Agee (corporate governance law, corporate law, and equipment finance law); J. Michael Bridges (commercial litigation, construction law, and land use and zoning law); Cory Collins (real estate litigation); Ginger Gooch (construction law and real estate law); Bryan Wade (media law); and Christopher Weiss (land use and zoning litigation). Honored as “Ones to Watch”: Laura Robinson (commercial litigation) and Larissa Whittingham (labor and employment law-management and litigation-labor and employment).
Reece Family Law
2202 W. Chesterfield blvd., Suite 200, Springfield | 113. S Main St., Joplin | 417-881-0881
Reece Family Law understands “Defending Your Family”SM is the most important aspect of your life. Trial attorneys Shelly Renee’ Reece, JD, MBA; Todd C. Hawkins, JD; Elizabeth Warrick, JD; John Boyer, JD; Matthew R. Bonner, JD, have been serving the Ozarks for more than 60 combined years in criminal defense, family law and estate planning. They will navigate you through the courts for a divorce or modification, child custody and support, paternity, adoption, DUI and DWI, traffic ticket, drug or serious crime charge, will or power of attorney. They offer a free first consult with an attorney as well as payment plans. They have offices in Springfield, Joplin and now Forsyth to serve Taney, Stone, Douglas and Ozark Counties, and all of Southwest Missouri.
John H. Schmidt and Matt Schmidt
Schmidt Kirby & Sullivan P.C.
2838 S. Ingram Mill Rd., Springfield | 417-882-2828
Since 1989, the attorneys of Schmidt Kirby & Sullivan, PC, have served 417-land in legal matters including estate planning, probate, trust administration, and business organizations and transactions.
With a cumulative 51 years of experience, John Schmidt and son Matthew Schmidt have knowledge you can trust with the most precious assets and transactions of your life and business. When you are facing big decisions, it is important to know that your legal team will stand in your corner, value and respect you, and keep you informed throughout the process. You can trust the guidance of Schmidt Kirby & Sullivan, PC.
Back row: Derek Ankrom, Paul D. Satterwhite, Elizabeth Wente, Mike Nichols, & Gary A. Powell Front row: Rodney H. (Rod) Nichols, Richard E. Walters, Jason C. Smith, & Charles B. Cowerd
Spencer Fane
2144 E. Republic Rd., Suite B300, Springfield | 417-888-1000
With a team of 30 attorneys and business professionals, the Spencer Fane Springfield office is positioned to advise clients on a wide range of legal issues.
The deeply experienced team in Springfield provides services in several areas of law, including labor and employment; business transactions and litigation; bankruptcy restructuring and creditors’ rights; tax and estate planning; regulatory; and real estate and construction.
With roots in Missouri tracing back to 1879, Spencer Fane is now one of the largest 200 law firms in the country. Today the firm boasts 411 lawyers and serves clients nationwide from 22 offices in 12 states.
Top row: Bryan Delleville, Branden Twibell, and Scott Pierson Bottom row: Bert Twibell and Kristie Pierce
Twibell Pierson
3810 E. Sunshine St., suite 300, Springfield | 417-862-1741
The Twibell Pierson Law Firm began in 1975 when attorney Bert Twibell left the Greene County Prosecutor’s Office for a career in private practice, helping people solve their problems. Today, the attorneys of Twibell Pierson have over 90 years of combined experience, and strive to provide unmatched criminal defense and client service.
What separates Twibell Pierson from other firms is the team approach they take to every client and case. When you hire them, you are hiring their entire firm, not just one attorney.
Twibell Pierson is the proud recipient of recognition that includes The Best Lawyers in America© and Best Law Firms in America by U.S. News and World Report, among others.
