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 his Juris Doctor degree, with honors, from Washburn University School of Law (1997). 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.

He practices criminal defense in federal, state, and municipal courts with partner Dee Wampler and associate Adam Woody located in Springfield, Missouri and has participated in a large number of high profile jury and bench trials. Passanise is a Past President of the Missouri Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (MACDL) and is a frequent speaker at Missouri Bar and MACDL conferences. He has been chosen as a member by the National College of DUI Defense (2004 – Present) and has taught as per course faculty at Missouri State University in the Communication Department for many years.

The Missouri Bar selected Passanise as a Lon O. Hocker Trial Advocacy Award recipient (2002) and was given a President’s Award (2009) in recognition of his efforts with the Non-Partisan Court Plan effort in Greene County. Missouri Lawyer’s Weekly chose him as one of the top five “up and coming lawyers” for the state of Missouri (2003) and a finalist for “Lawyer of the Year” (2008). His peers have recognized him as a Best Lawyer in America (2007 – Present), a Missouri Super Lawyer (2006 – Present by Law & Politics Magazine top 5% attorney according to peer review), American Trial Lawyers Association (2007 – Present), and Who’s Who in American Law (2009). The Springfield Metropolitan Bar Association President’s recently honored Passanise with the 2008 President Award in recognition for extraordinary service to the bar.

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.

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Joseph Passanise has been selected as a Best Lawyers by U.S. News & World Report.

Dee Wampler and Joseph Passanise have again been selected by their peers for inclusion in the 2011 Edition of the Best Lawyers in America in the specialties of criminal defense of Non-White Collar, White Collar, DWI and DUI defense.  

Martindale-Hubbell peer review ratings awarded Joseph Passanise with the highest attorney rating of an AV rating.

New articles written for Go magazine have been posted in the media section. Visit to read more about DWI, MIP and MIC violations.