Best Lawyers
The Best Lawyers in Springfield MO
The law can be a complicated and stressful topic, so you want the most qualified attorney at your side. With this list of top local lawyers, find the expert who can help you navigate the court system in Springfield and southwest Missouri.
Edited by Jo Jolliff
Dec 2024
Photo courtesy Shutterstock
Methodology for Best Lawyers®
Methodology for The Best Lawyers in America® and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America // This list is excerpted from the 2025 editions of The Best Lawyers in America® and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America, the preeminent referral guides to the legal profession in the United States. Published since 1983, Best Lawyers® lists attorneys in 150 specialties, representing all 50 states, who have been chosen through an exhaustive survey in which thousands of the nation’s top lawyers confidentially evaluate their professional peers. The 2025 edition of The Best Lawyers in America is based on more than 13.7 million evaluations of lawyers by other lawyers.
The method used to compile Best Lawyers remains unchanged since the first edition was compiled more than 40 years ago. Lawyers are chosen for inclusion based solely on the vote of their peers. Listings cannot be bought, and no purchase is required to be included. In this regard, Best Lawyers remains the gold standard of reliability and integrity in lawyer ratings.
The nomination pool for the 2025 edition consisted of all lawyers whose names appeared in the previous edition of Best Lawyers, lawyers who were nominated since the previous survey and new nominees solicited from listed attorneys. In general, lawyers were asked to vote only on nominees in their own specialty in their own jurisdiction. Lawyers in closely related specialties were asked to vote across specialties, as were lawyers in smaller jurisdictions. Where specialties are national or international in nature, lawyers were asked to vote nationally as well as locally. Voting lawyers were also given an opportunity to offer more detailed comments on nominees. Each year, half of the voting pool receives fax or email ballots; the other half is polled by phone.
Voting lawyers were provided this general guideline for determining if a nominee should be listed among “the best”: “If you had a close friend or relative who needed a real estate lawyer (for example), and you could not handle the case yourself, to whom would you refer them?” All votes and comments were solicited with a guarantee of confidentiality ― a critical factor in the viability and validity of Best Lawyers’ surveys. To ensure the rigor of the selection process, lawyers were urged to use only their highest standards when voting and to evaluate each nominee based only on his or her individual merits. The additional comments were used to make more accurate comparisons between voting patterns and weight votes accordingly. Best Lawyers uses various methodological tools to identify and correct for anomalies in both the nomination and voting process.
Recognition in the Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America is based entirely on peer review and employs the same methodology that has made Best Lawyers the gold standard for legal rankings worldwide. These awards are recognitions given to attorneys who are earlier in their careers for outstanding professional excellence in private practice in the United States. Our “Ones to Watch” recipients typically have been in practice for 5-9 years.
Ultimately, of course, a lawyer’s inclusion is based on the subjective judgments of his or her fellow attorneys. While it is true that the lists may at times disproportionately reward visibility or popularity, the breadth of the survey, the candor of the respondents and the sophistication of the polling methodology largely correct for any biases.
For all these reasons, Best Lawyers lists continue to represent the most reliable, accurate and useful guide to the best lawyers in the United States available anywhere.
Appellate Practice
James E. Meadows
Carnahan Evans
417-447-4400
2805 S. Ingram Mill Road, Springfield
Richard L. Schnake
Neale & Newman
417-882-9090
Farmers Park Suite F-402, Springfield
Arbitration
John C. Holstein
John C. Holstein
417-894-3953
850 E. Sterling Ridge Court, Springfield
Michael J. Patton
Turner, Reid, Duncan, Loomer & Patton
417-883-2102
1355 E. Bradford Parkway, Suite A, Springfield
Banking and Finance Law
Charles B. Cowherd
Spencer Fane
417-888-1000
2144 E, Republic Road, Suite B300, Springfield
Dan R. Nelson
Kutak Rock
417-720-1410
300 S. John Q. Hammons Parkway, Suite 800, Springfield
Lee J. Viorel III
Lowther Johnson Attorneys at Law
417-557-3407
901 E. St. Louis St., Suite 20, Springfield
Randell D. Wallace
Kutak Rock
417-720-1410
300 S. John Q. Hammons Parkway, Suite 800, Springfield
Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
J. Kevin Checkett
Checkett & Pauly
417-358-4049
517 S. Main St.
Carthage
Dan R. Nelson
Kutak Rock
417-720-1410
300 S. John Q. Hammons Parkway, Suite 800, Springfield
David E. Schroeder
David Schroeder Law Office
417-890-1000
3804 S. Fremont Ave., Springfield
Lee J. Viorel III
Lowther Johnson Attorneys at Law
417-557-3407
901 E. St. Louis St., Suite 20, Springfield
Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships)
Julie T. Brown
Carnahan Evans
417-447-4400
2805 S. Ingram Mill Road, Springfield
Glenn P. Green
Lowther Johnson Attorneys at Law
417-557-3407
901 E. St. Louis St., Suite 20, Springfield
W. Bradley Risby
Neale & Newman
417-882-9090
Farmers Park Suite F-402, Springfield
Cannabis Law
Joseph Dow Sheppard III
Carnahan Evans
417-447-4400
2805 S. Ingram Mill Road, Springfield
Civil Rights Law
William Fleischaker
Fleischaker & Williams
417-623-2865
320 W. 4th St., Suite 5, Joplin
Commercial Litigation
Brian K. Asberry
Neale & Newman
417-882-9090
Farmers Park Suite F-402, Springfield
J. Michael Bridges
Husch Blackwell
417-268-4000
3810 E. Sunshine St. Suite 300, Springfield
Charles B. Cowherd
Spencer Fane
417-888-1000
2144 E. Republic Road, Suite B300, Springfield
Frank M. Evans III
Ellis, Ellis, Hammons & Johnson
417-866-5091
2808 S. Ingram Mill, Suite A104, Springfield
Dan R. Nelson
Kutak Rock
417-720-1410
300 S. John Q. Hammons Parkway, Suite 800, Springfield
Judson B. Poppen
Neale & Newman
417-882-9090
Farmers Park Suite F-402, Springfield
Jay Preston
Carnahan Evans
417-447-4400
2805 S. Ingram Mill Road, Springfield
Jason C. Smith
Spencer Fane
417-888-1000
2144 E. Republic Road, Suite B300, Springfield
Christopher F. Weiss
Spencer Fane
417-888-1000
2144 E. Republic Road, Suite B300, Springfield
Construction Law
J. Michael Bridges
Husch Blackwell
417-268-4000
3810 E. Sunshine St., Suite 300, Springfield
Michael D. Textor
Kutak Rock
417-720-1410
300 S. John Q. Hammons Parkway, Suite 800, Springfield
Corporate Governance Law
David C. Agee
Husch Blackwell
417-268-4000
3810 E. Sunshine St., Suite 300, Springfield
Corporate Law
David C. Agee
Husch Blackwell
417-268-4000
3810 E. Sunshine St., Suite 300, Springfield
Julie T. Brown
Carnahan Evans
417-447-4400
2805 S. Ingram Mill Road, Springfield
Russell W. Cook
Lowther Johnson Attorneys at Law
417-557-3407
901 E. St. Louis St., Suite 20, Springfield
Michael J. DeArmon
Neale & Newman
417-882-9090
Farmers Park Suite F-402, Springfield
Lauren M. Hawkins
Husch Blackwell
417-268-4000
3810 E. Sunshine St., Suite 300, Springfield
Jason C. Smith
Spencer Fane
417-888-1000
2144 E. Republic Road, Suite B300, Springfield
Randell D. Wallace
Kutak Rock
417-720-1410
300 S. John Q. Hammons Parkway, Suite 800, Springfield
Criminal Defense: General Practice
Shane Cantin
Cantin Mynarich
417-831-6363
2560 S. Glenstone Ave., Suite C, Springfield
Thomas D. Carver
Carver Associates
417-350-1172
901 E. Saint Louis St., Suite 1600, Springfield
William Fleischaker
Fleischaker & Williams
417-623-2865
320 W. 4th St., Suite 5, Joplin
Marsha D. Jackson
Marsha D. Jackson Attorney at Law
417-886-4477
901 E. Saint Louis St., Suite 303, Springfield
John Kail
John Kail
417-869-4680
939 N. Boonville Ave., Springfield
Erica Mynarich
Cantin Mynarich
417-831-6363
2560 S. Glenstone Ave., Suite C, Springfield
Joseph S. Passanise
Wampler & Passanise
417-882-9300
2974 E. Battlefield Road, Springfield
Bert Twibell
Twibell Pierson
417-862-1741
Hammons Tower, Suite 1600, Springfield
Branden Scott Twibell
Twibell Pierson
417-862-1741
Hammons Tower, Suite 1600, Springfield
Criminal Defense: White-Collar
Shane Cantin
Cantin Mynarich
417-831-6363
2560 S. Glenstone Ave., Suite C, Springfield
Thomas D. Carver
Carver Associates
417-350-1172
901 E. Saint Louis St., Suite 1600, Springfield
Joseph S. Passanise
Wampler & Passanise
417-882-9300
2974 E. Battlefield Road, Springfield
Branden Scott Twibell
Twibell Pierson
417-862-1741
Hammons Tower, Suite 1600, Springfield
DUI / DWI Defense
Shane Cantin
Cantin Mynarich
417-831-6363
2560 S. Glenstone Ave., Suite C, Springfield
Joseph S. Passanise
Wampler & Passanise
417-882-9300
2974 E. Battlefield Road, Springfield
Adam Woody
The Law Office of Adam Woody
417-622-4737
2121 S. Eastgate Ave., Springfield
Employment Law - Individuals
Tina G. Fowler
Ellis Ellis Hammons & Johnson
417-866-5091
2808 S. Ingram Mill, A104, Springfield
Equipment Finance Law
David C. Agee
Husch Blackwell
417-268-4000
3810 E. Sunshine St., Suite 300, Springfield
Family Law
Shannon D. Grisham
Pratt Grisham
417-883-8200
3432 S. Culpepper Court, Suite A, Springfield
John S. Pratt
Pratt Grisham
417-883-8200
3432 S. Culpepper Court, Suite A, Springfield
Andrew Scholz
Rooney McBride & Smith
417-708-9681
1445 E. Republic Road, Suite 300, Springfield
F. Richard Van Pelt
Van Pelt & Van Pelt
417-886-9080
1524 E. Primrose St., Suite A, Springfield
Roy E. Williams, Jr.
Henry, Williams & Kinder
417-256-8133
1207 Porter Wagoner Blvd., West Plains
Insurance Law
Jeff Bauer
Strong Law Trial Attorneys
417-887-4300
901 E. St. Louis, Suite 1800, Springfield
Steven B. Garner
Strong Law Trial Attorneys
417-887-4300
901 E. St. Louis, Suite 1800, Springfield
Brian Malkmus
Malkmus Law Firm
417-447-5000
305 Park Central West, Springfield
Michael J. Patton
Turner, Reid, Duncan, Loomer & Patton
417-883-2102
1355 E. Bradford Parkway, Suite A, Springfield
Mathew L. Placzek
Lowther Johnson Attorneys at Law
417-557-3407
901 E. St. Louis St., Suite 20, Springfield
Kory D. Stubblefield
Stubblefield Law
417-447-0697
1903 E. Battlefield St., Springfield
International Mergers and Acquisitions
Michael Cosby
Husch Blackwell
417-268-4000
3810 E. Sunshine St., Suite 300, Springfield
Land Use and Zoning Law
Patrick J. Platter
Neale & Newman
417-882-9090
Farmers Park Suite F-402, Springfield
Bryan O. Wade
Husch Blackwell
417-268-4000
3810 E. Sunshine St., Suite 300, Springfield
Randell D. Wallace
Kutak Rock
417-720-1410
300 S. John Q. Hammons Parkway, Suite 800, Springfield
Christopher F. Weiss
Spencer Fane
417-888-1000
2144 E. Republic Road, Suite B300, Springfield
Legal Malpractice Law - Defendants
Kent O. Hyde
Hyde, Love & Overby
417-831-4046
1121 S. Glenstone Ave., Springfield
Litigation - Banking and Finance
Charles B. Cowherd
Spencer Fane
417-888-1000
2144 E. Republic Road, Suite B300, Springfield
Dan R. Nelson
Kutak Rock
417-720-1410
300 S. John Q. Hammons Parkway, Suite 800, Springfield
Lee J. Viorel III
Lowther Johnson Attorneys at Law
417-557-3407
901 E. St. Louis St., Suite 20, Springfield
J. Taylor White
Kutak Rock
417-720-1410
300 S. John Q. Hammons Parkway, Suite 800, Springfield
Litigation - Bankruptcy
J. Kevin Checkett
Checkett & Pauly
417-358-4049
517 S. Main St., Carthage
Dan R. Nelson
Kutak Rock
417-720-1410
300 S. John Q. Hammons Parkway, Suite 800, Springfield
Lee J. Viorel III
Lowther Johnson Attorneys at Law
417-557-3407
901 E. St. Louis St., Suite 20, Springfield
Litigation - Construction
Michael D. Textor
Kutak Rock
417-720-1410
300 S. John Q. Hammons Parkway, Suite 800, Springfield
Litigation - Health Care
Joseph Reid
Kutak Rock
417-720-1410
300 S. John Q. Hammons Parkway, Suite 800, Springfield
Litigation - Insurance
Jeff Bauer
Strong Law Trial Attorneys
417-887-4300
901 E. St. Louis St., Suite 1800, Springfield
Mathew L. Placzek
Lowther Johnson Attorneys at Law
417-557-3407
901 E. St. Louis St., Suite 20, Springfield
Randy J. Reichard
Lowther Johnson Attorneys at Law
417-557-3407
901 E. St. Louis St., Suite 20, Springfield
Litigation - Real Estate
Andrew K. Bennett
Carnahan Evans
417-447-4400
2805 S. Ingram Mill Road, Springfield
Cory L. Collins
Husch Blackwell
417-268-4000
3810 E. Sunshine St., Suite 300, Springfield
Christiaan D. Horton
Carnahan Evans
417-447-4400
2805 S. Ingram Mill Road, Springfield
James E. Meadows
Carnahan Evans
417-447-4400
2805 S. Ingram Mill Road, Springfield
J. Taylor White
Kutak Rock
417-720-1410
300 S. John Q. Hammons Parkway, Suite 800, Springfield
Litigation - Securities
Joseph Dow Sheppard III
Carnahan Evans
417-447-4400
2805 S. Ingram Mill Road, Springfield
Litigation - Trusts and Estates
Glenn P. Green
Lowther Johnson Attorneys at Law
417-557-3407
901 E. St. Louis St., Suite 20, Springfield
Emily J. Kembell
Kirkland Woods & Martinsen
417-893-5288
3250 E. Sunshine St., Suite 310, Springfield
Catherine Moore
Kirkland Woods & Martinsen
417-893-5288
3250 E. Sunshine St., Suite 310, Springfield
Jay Preston
Carnahan Evans
417-447-4400
2805 S. Ingram Mill Road, Springfield
Daniel K. Wooten
Neale & Newman
417-882-9090
Farmers Park Suite F-402, Springfield
Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants
Jason C. Smith
Spencer Fane
417-888-1000
2144 E. Republic Road, Suite B300, Springfield
Media Law
Bryan O. Wade
Husch Blackwell
417-268-4000
3810 E. Sunshine St., Suite 300, Springfield
Mediation
John C. Holstein
John C. Holstein
417-894-3953
850 E. Sterling Ridge Court, Springfield
Michael J. Patton
Turner, Reid, Duncan, Loomer & Patton
417-883-2102
1355 E. Bradford Parkway, Suite A, Springfield
Medical Malpractice Law - Defendants
Frank M. Evans III
Ellis, Ellis, Hammons & Johnson
417-866-5091
2808 S. Ingram Mill, Suite A104, Springfield
Kent O. Hyde
Hyde, Love & Overby
417-831-4046
1121 S. Glenstone Ave., Springfield
Brian Malkmus
Malkmus Law Firm
417-447-5000
305 Park Central West, Springfield
Joseph Reid
Kutak Rock
417-720-1410
300 S. John Q. Hammons Parkway, Suite 800, Springfield
Medical Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs
Neil Chanter
Strong Law Trial Attorneys
417-887-4300
901 E. St. Louis St., Suite 1800, Springfield
Shelly Dreyer
Dreyer & Tinney
417-782-6822
2230 E. 32nd St., Suite 202, Joplin
Steven B. Garner
Strong Law Trial Attorneys
417-887-4300
901 E. St. Louis St., Suite 1800, Springfield
H. Lynn Henry
Henry, Williams & Kinder
417-256-8133
1207 Porter Wagoner Blvd., West Plains
Roger Alan Johnson
Johnson, Vorhees & Martucci
417-206-0100
510 W. Sixth St., Joplin
Mortgage Banking Foreclosure Law
Lee J. Viorel III
Lowther Johnson Attorneys at Law
417-557-3407
901 E. St. Louis St., Suite 20, Springfield
Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants
Rodney E. Loomer
Turner, Reid, Duncan, Loomer & Patton
417-883-2102
1355 E. Bradford Parkway, Suite A, Springfield
Cara R. Rose
Franke Schultz & Mullen
417-863-0040
1919 E. Battlefield, Suite B, Springfield
Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs
Jeff Bauer
Strong Law Trial Attorneys
417-887-4300
901 E. St. Louis St., Suite 1800, Springfield
Neil Chanter
Strong Law Trial Attorneys
417-887-4300
901 E. St. Louis, Suite 1800, Springfield
Shelly Dreyer
Dreyer & Tinney
417-782-6822
2230 E. 32nd St., Suite 202, Joplin
Steven B. Garner
Strong Law Trial Attorneys
417-887-4300
901 E. St. Louis, Suite 1800, Springfield
Chandler Gregg
Strong Law Trial Attorneys
417-887-4300
901 E. St. Louis, Suite 1800, Springfield
Steven D. Harrell
Harrell Law Firm
417-887-2740
2838 S. Ingram Mill Road, Springfield
H. Lynn Henry
Henry, Williams & Kinder
417-256-8133
1207 Porter Wagoner Blvd., West Plains
Edward J. Hershewe
The Hershewe Law Firm
417-782-3790
431 S. Virginia Ave., Joplin
Eric Jensen
SJP Law Firm
417-812-8006
431 S. Jefferson Ave., Suite 120, Springfield
Roger Alan Johnson
Johnson, Vorhees & Martucci
417-206-0100
510 W. Sixth St., Joplin
Kurt Larson
Larson & Miller
417-890-6677
3331 E. Ridgeview St., Springfield
Brad Miller
Larson & Miller
417-890-6677
3331 E. Ridgeview St., Springfield
Robert M. N. Palmer
SJP Law Firm
417-812-8006
431 S. Jefferson Ave., Suite 120, Springfield
Randy J. Reichard
Lowther Johnson Attorneys at Law
417-557-3407
901 E. St. Louis St., Suite 20, Springfield
Timothy L. Sifers
SJP Law Firm
417-812-8006
431 S. Jefferson Ave., Suite 120, Springfield
Product Liability Litigation - Defendants
Kent O. Hyde
Hyde, Love & Overby
417-831-4046
1121 S. Glenstone Ave., Springfield
Rodney E. Loomer
Turner, Reid, Duncan, Loomer & Patton
417-883-2102
1355 E. Bradford Parkway, Suite A, Springfield
Brian Malkmus
Malkmus Law Firm
417-447-5000
305 Park Central West, Springfield
Michael J. Patton
Turner, Reid, Duncan, Loomer & Patton
417-883-2102
1355 East Bradford Parkway, Suite A, Springfield
Joseph Reid
Kutak Rock
417-720-1410
300 S. John Q. Hammons Parkway, Suite 800, Springfield
Product Liability Litigation - Plaintiffs
Jeff Bauer
Strong Law Trial Attorneys
417-887-4300
901 E. St. Louis, Suite 1800, Springfield
Neil Chanter
Strong Law Trial Attorneys
417-887-4300
901 E. St. Louis, Suite 1800, Springfield
Strong Law Trial Attorneys
417-887-4300
901 E. St. Louis, Suite 1800, Springfield
Chandler Gregg
Strong Law Trial Attorneys
417-887-4300
901 E. St. Louis, Suite 1800, Springfield
Steven D. Harrell
Harrell Law Firm
417-887-2740
2838 S. Ingram Mill Road, Springfield
Roger Alan Johnson
Johnson, Vorhees & Martucci
417-206-0100
510 W. Sixth St., Joplin
Robert M. N. Palmer
SJP Law Firm
417-812-8006
431 S. Jefferson Ave., Suite 120, Springfield
Professional Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs
Chandler Gregg
Strong Law Trial Attorneys
417-887-4300
901 E. St. Louis, Suite 1800, Springfield
Real Estate Law
J. Michael Bridges
Husch Blackwell
417-268-4000
3810 E. Sunshine St., Suite 300, Springfield
Mike Nichols
Spencer Fane
417-888-1000
2144 E. Republic Road, Suite B300, Springfield
Rodney H. Nichols
Spencer Fane
417-888-1000
2144 E. Republic Road, Suite B300, Springfield
Jason C. Smith
Spencer Fane
417-888-1000
2144 E. Republic Road, Suite B300, Springfield
Michael D. Textor
Kutak Rock
417-720-1410
300 S. John Q. Hammons Parkway, Suite 800, Springfield
Bryan O. Wade
Husch Blackwell
417-268-4000
3810 E. Sunshine St., Suite 300, Springfield
Randell D. Wallace
Kutak Rock
417-720-1410
300 S. John Q. Hammons Parkway, Suite 800, Springfield
Richard E. Walters
Spencer Fane
417-888-1000
2144 E. Republic Road, Suite B300, Springfield
Tax Law
Frank C. Carnahan
Carnahan Evans
417-447-4400
2805 S. Ingram Mill Road, Springfield
John M. Carnahan III
Carnahan Evans
417-447-4400
2805 S. Ingram Mill Road, Springfield
Emily J. Kembell
Kirkland Woods & Martinsen
417-893-5288
3250 E. Sunshine St., Suite 310, Springfield
Gary A. Powell
Spencer Fane
417-888-1000
2144 E. Republic Road, Suite B300, Springfield
Trusts and Estates
John M. Carnahan III
Carnahan Evans
417-447-4400
2805 S. Ingram Mill Road, Springfield
Michael J. DeArmon
Neale & Newman
417-882-9090
Farmers Park Suite F-402, Springfield
Courtney L. Fletcher
Carnahan Evans
417-447-4400
2805 S. Ingram Mill Road, Springfield
Emily J. Kembell
Kirkland Woods & Martinsen
417-893-5288
3250 E. Sunshine St., Suite 310, Springfield
Douglas D. Lee
Carnahan Evans
417-447-4400
2805 S. Ingram Mill Road, Springfield
Anne Sallee Mason
Neale & Newman
417-882-9090
Farmers Park Suite F-402, Springfield
Catherine Moore
Kirkland Woods & Martinsen
417-893-5288
3250 E. Sunshine St., Suite 310, Springfield
Douglas R. Nickell
Carnahan Evans
417-447-4400
2805 S. Ingram Mill Road, Springfield
Thomas D. Peebles, Jr.
Carnahan Evans
417-447-4400
2805 S. Ingram Mill Road, Springfield
Gary A. Powell
Spencer Fane
417-888-1000
2144 E. Republic Road, Suite B300, Springfield
W. Bradley Risby
Neale & Newman
417-882-9090
Farmers Park Suite F-402, Springfield
Workers’ Compensation Law - Claimants
Randy J. Reichard
Lowther Johnson Attorneys at Law
417-557-3407
901 E. St. Louis St., Suite 20, Springfield
