SPRINGFIELD, Mo.—Springfield criminal defense attorneys Joseph S. Passanise and Taylon Sumners, of Wampler Passanise, have been recognized by Best Lawyers in America, 2023 Ed. Based entirely on peer review, this is the 29th year Best Lawyers has published its prestigious list of top American lawyers and the third year it has recognized Ones to Watch in America.
Passanise was recognized for professional excellence in Criminal Defense: General Practice, Criminal Defense: White-Collar; and DUI/DWI Defense. A Fellow of the American Board of Criminal Lawyers (ABCL), Passanise obtained his Juris Doctor, with honors, from Washburn University School of Law. He was awarded the Charles M. Shaw Award for excellence in trial advocacy in 2013. He is past president of the Missouri Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers; a member of the National College of DUI Defense; the National Child Abuse Defense and Resource Center; and a member of the National Trial Lawyers Criminal Defense Top 100. Passanise was named by Springfield Business Journal as part of its 12 To Know Series in 2022 and was appointed to the Missouri Tourism Commission by Governor Mike Parson in 2020 and the Senate Redistricting Commission in 2021.
Sumners was recognized for professional excellence in private practice in the third edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America. The publication highlights lawyers earlier in their careers who have demonstrated leadership that has earned the respect of peers. Sumners was recognized for Criminal Defense: White Collar. She earned her Juris Doctor at Washburn University School of Law, graduating with Dean’s Honors. She has been with Wampler Passanise since 2015, working as a Legal Assistant while attending law school. Sumners was named to the Up-and-Coming category by Missouri Lawyers in 2022, and recognized as a Top 10 Under 40 in Missouri by the National Academy of Criminal Defense Attorneys, and named a Trusted Advisor by the Springfield Business Journal all in 2021. She serves on the Board of Directors for the Greene County Historical Sites Committee and Go Red for Women—Springfield.
