Our Attorneys

The practice of law carries a dual responsibility. As the ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct note, a lawyer is “a representative of clients, an officer of the legal system, and a public citizen having special responsibility for the quality of justice.” That means advocating fearlessly and diligently for each client, while honoring the ethical rules that safeguard the integrity of the law as a profession. At Beal & Whitener we strive to represent each client in the best tradition of the legal profession. 

James E. Beal

Estate Planning, Probate & Trusts

Practicing since 2006, James helps individuals, families, and fiduciaries with estate planning, probate administration, trust administration, guardianship and conservatorship, and trust, estate, and fiduciary litigation. Licensed in Missouri and Illinois, he provides estate-planning services to clients in both states. He has tried cases before judges and juries, represented clients before the Missouri Court of Appeals, and is a qualified Missouri civil and family mediator.

Read James Beal's biography | Explore his practice

Joseph G. Whitener

State & Federal Criminal Defense

A former Assistant Public Defender, Joseph Whitener has handled thousands of criminal cases and tried more than two dozen to a jury, earning not-guilty verdicts in cases involving murder, rape, assault, armed criminal action, robbery, and DWI. He is one of only a few attorneys in Missouri to win a Sexually Violent Predator civil-commitment trial before a jury, and is admitted to practice in Missouri state courts and multiple federal courts.

Read Joe Whitener's biography | Explore his practice

To read more about James and Joe, click on their respective bio page below.