Joplin, MO

Edward Hershewe

As a trial lawyer, Mr. Hershewe has spent more than 30 years fighting for injured people and their families. Tenacity and work-ethic are key factors in his ability to get full value settlements and jury verdicts for clients in even the most complex personal injury cases. Mr. Hershewe is proud to have obtained many multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements for his injured clients and their families. He currently practices in the areas of Personal Injury, Medical Malpractice and Medical Device Litigation, Auto and Trucking Accidents, Wrongful Death, Aviation Litigation, Railroad Law, Insurance law and Workplace Injuries. Known and respected by clients and his colleagues in the legal profession, Mr. Hershewe has an “AV” Preeminent rating, given by other attorneys and judges.

James R. Howell

Partner James R. Howell is a personal injury and medical malpractice attorney with over $25 million in settlements and verdicts. He litigates cases including medical malpractice, product liability, wrongful death, construction accidents, and motor vehicle accidents. He is a frequent lecturer and writer on legal topics and serves on the Board of Trustees of Butler Community College.

James V. O’Brien

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 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.

Alison Hershewe

Alison Hershewe was born in St. Joseph, Missouri. She received her B.G.S. from Missouri Southern State University in Joplin, Missouri. Ms. Hershewe went on to study law at the University of North Carolina, where she graduated with honors in 1994 and was awarded her Juris Doctorate Degree. She currently practices in the areas of medical malpractice, personal injury, general civil law, auto accident and trucking litigation, products liability, as well as being a member of the CJA Panel, where she is court-appointed to represent indigent criminal defendants in the U.S. District Court, Western District of Missouri.

Bradley J. Prochaska

Founding Partner Bradley J. Prochaska is a personal injury and medical malpractice attorney specializing in catastrophic injury cases. He has a track record of winning tough medical malpractice cases, with six settlements in Kansas exceeding $4 million each. He is a former president of the Kansas Association for Justice and national co-chairman of the Birth Trauma Litigation Group and Professional Negligence Group.

Andrew Buchanan

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.

William L. Phalen

Bill Phalen has 36 years of experience representing families and workers in workplace injuries, automobile accidents, and negligence cases. He has successfully argued cases at the Court of Appeals and Kansas Supreme Court, including the landmark Bergstrom v. Spears Manufacturing case. He is a member of several bar associations and civic organizations, and a Trustee for the Pittsburg State University Foundation.