JOPLINLAWYER.COM - Key Persons
Andrew specializes in helping people who have been injured. He focuses on medical malpractice, automobile and truck accidents, product liability, premise liability, wrongful death, and work accidents, and also has extensive experience representing clients in stockbroker liability claims and wrongful discharge/discrimination claims.
Andrew is the managing partner in BWO's St. Louis office. Andrew (along with the other attorneys and staff at BWO) focuses on personal service for his clients. Clients have Andrew's personal cell phone and can call him anytime with questions or concerns.
Andrew started his law career with Lewis Rice & Fingersh, LC, which is one of the largest law firms in the St. Louis area. Andrew is married to Kimberly Ulrich Buchanan. Kim is an attorney and partner in the law firm Wegner Buchanan. Andrew and Kim live in St. Louis with their two children.
Charles is a founding member of BWO. He has successfully advocated for the interests of his clients for over forty years. The firm's clients benefit from his experience of effectively handling numerous legal matters, including wrongful death, product liability, automobile accidents, medical malpractice, unlawful discrimination, and workers injured on the job. Charles' experience and depth of knowledge has given him a range of skills that he uses to help his clients achieve the best possible result for the legal situation they face.
Charles' has an AV® Preeminent™ rating from Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Ratings, which is the highest rating certification for legal ability and ethical standards. Charles is a veteran having served in Korea as a First Lieutenant in the United States Army. After his service, Charles attended the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Law where he graduated with honors in the top 10% of his class. Before law school, he practiced chemical engineering after receiving his engineering degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia.
Charles was raised in Joplin and returned home upon receiving his degree to practice law there. He is active in the Joplin community, having served as President to the Boys & Girls Club and serving for Habitat for Humanity, Lafayette House, and other civic organizations. Charles continues to live in Joplin with his wife Sherry. He has greatly enjoyed working alongside his son, Andrew, at BWO and building a practice together. He enjoys reading, outdoor activities, and spending time with his family and grandchildren.
Emily is currently focusing her practice on family law and estate planning. Emily is extremely organized, goal driven, and willing to work hard for her clients. Her goal is to be a positive and helpful influence during what can be a complex time in the lives of her clients. Her desire is to provide her clients with a complete understanding of their legal options, to be attentive to her clients' goals and desires, and to effectuate those goals and desires whenever possible.
Emily is licensed to practice in Missouri. She is a 2015 graduate of the University of Tulsa College of Law. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Arkansas in English and Political Science in 2011. Emily was born and raised in Joplin graduating from Thomas Jefferson Independent Day School. She currently lives in Joplin with her husband, daughter Charlotte and two English bulldogs. Emily and her husband enjoy running and have to-date completed 5K's in 4 states.
Job Titles:
- Certified Public Accountant in Missouri
Jim was born in western Massachusetts but grew up in Illinois. He clerked for U. S. District Judge James L. Foreman in the Southern District of Illinois. Jim later practiced law with Lewis, Rice & Fingersh in St. Louis, where he was a partner before joining BWO.
Jim is a Certified Public Accountant in Missouri and has an LL.M. in Taxation from Washington University School of Law. His legal career has been centered on commercial litigation, for which he has been named a Missouri-Kansas Super Lawyer for many years, and on certain areas of personal injury litigation, including medical malpractice and Jones Act/FELA. Jim has also spent considerable time in the areas of maritime law and tax controversy work.
Jim has tried many bench and jury cases in Missouri, Illinois, and other states, and has appeared in oral argument in numerous appellate courts, including the United States Supreme Court. He has spoken at seminars around the country in areas of his interest.
Jim is an avid golfer who claims that a busy law practice keeps his handicap too high and enjoys outdoor and lake-related activities. He is married to the lovely Rita Graham and has five children, all boys, who have kept him young, four of whom are taller, and all of whom are smarter and better looking.
Nicole represents her clients in complex family law and estate planning issues. She treats clients as individuals with unique problems, concerns, and goals. She is a forward-thinking attorney that works for an outcome that will prepare her clients for the future and many of the changes that it may hold.
Nicole listens to her clients and works to get them the best result possible. She is able to provide her clients with realistic expectations by striving to understand their goals and desires.
Nicole is licensed to practice law in Missouri. She is a 2009 graduate from the University of Arkansas School of Law. She also received her undergraduate degree from the Sam M. Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas in International Economics with a minor in Spanish. Nicole is a lifelong resident of Carthage and a graduate from Carthage High School and practices out of our office in Carthage on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Nicole was elected to the Young Lawyer's Section of the Missouri Bar in 2014 and remains on the council today. She is also a member of the Missouri Bar Family Law Committee. Nicole formerly held the position of President and Secretary with the Jasper County Bar Association.
Nicole is also a member of PEO, Rotary International, the Carthage Chamber of Commerce, and involved in other church and community activities. Nicole enjoys spending time with her husband Brock Wagner and their children.
Walt is a founding member of BWO and has effectively represented his clients for nearly forty years. He is one of the leading attorneys in the State of Missouri for family law issues and estate/trust litigation matters.