JOSEPH T. NEELY
Partner
Licensed in both Missouri and Illinois, Joe acts as counsel in the areas of White Collar Criminal Defense, Internal Investigations, Federal Civil Rights Litigation, and Insurance Defense.
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Prior to joining BMP, Joe worked for the Federal Bureau of Investigation as a Special Agent focusing primarily on counterterrorism. He also was a member of the Bureau’s specialized evidence collection unit, the Evidence Response Team. His work for the FBI covered a variety of cases from weapons of mass destruction and bank robberies to domestic and international terrorism. Prior to working for the FBI, Joe served on active duty in the United States Marine Corps as a Judge Advocate. Joe worked as both a criminal defense attorney and a prosecutor, and, as a result of his significant litigation experience and results, Joe was awarded the ABA’s Outstanding Young Military Lawyer Award for the Marine Corps in 2016. Joe is currently serving as a Major in the United States Marine Corps Reserves. In addition to his substantial trial experience, Joe maintains a TS/SCI security clearance and can be trusted to thoroughly and professionally investigate and report on sensitive matters within your organization.
In 2022 having demonstrated professional accomplishment, skill and leadership beyond his years as well as extraordinary commitment to the community through volunteer service and leadership, he was presented with the Missouri Lawyers Media “Up & Coming Award”. In early 2023 Joe was awarded the “Most Admired Business Leader” by St. Louis Small Business Monthly as well as the Missouri Lawyers Media “Top Verdicts & Settlements” honoree for his record verdict ($29M) in St. Francois County, MO. As a graduate of St. Louis University High School (‘03), Joe was named a 1540 Award Honoree for 2023. The 1540 award recognizes 15 alumni under the age of 40 for being creative and bold leaders while challenging the definitions of excellence.
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Joe received his Juris Doctor from the University of Michigan in 2009, and graduated magna cum laude from the University of Missouri in 2006 with a B.S.B.A. with emphases in finance and banking and real estate finance. Joe was born and raised in Belleville, Illinois and attended St. Louis University High School.
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​Joe and his wife, Maria, their daughter, Penelope and son, Jack reside in Webster Groves.
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You may contact Joe at (314) 862-3800 ext. 268or jneely@bmnglaw.com. Joe's Paralegal/Legal Assistant is Kelley Kaigler at Ext. 1024 or at kkaigler@bmnglaw.com.