Stuart P. Huffman graduated from Central Missouri State University with a bachelor in Science for Criminal Justice and a minor in psychology in 1997. He then went to the University of Missouri-Kansas City and graduated with a J.D. in 2000. Mr. Huffman, while in law school, was a law clerk for Wyandotte County Circuit Court in 1999 and then Jackson County Associate Court in 2000. While a law clerk, he worked directly with Judges to research legal issues and draft legal pleadings. After graduation, he desired employment where he could have the ability to try cases. After passing the bar exam in 2000, he started employment with the Missouri State Public Defender's office in 2001 at the Springfield Missouri Office. He was assigned to be in the trial division and handled all manner of misdemeanor and felony cases. His responsibilities included but were not limited to handling routine court appearances, filing motions on behalf of clients, client conferences, both in the jail and at his office trying felony and misdemeanor bench and jury trials. While at the Public Defender's office, Mr. Huffman had the opportunity to be the primary attorney for numerous felony cases.
In September of 2002, Mr. Huffman left the Public Defender's office and became an associate at the law firm of Whiteaker & Wilson P.C., located in Springfield Missouri. There, he continued to handle criminal cases ranging from traffic to murder in the first degree but also had the chance to handle civil litigation and worker's compensation cases. Mr. Huffman became a partner in 2008 and continues to operate in that capacity with Richard Davis and Brandon Potter. Over time, Mr. Huffman practice changed to where he now handles almost exclusively criminal cases. He practices criminal defense in federal, state and municipal courts located in Springfield Missouri and the surrounding regions. Mr. Huffman is a member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) and the Missouri Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (MACDL). He is also a member of the National Trial Lawyer's Top 100 Lawyers and the American Society of Legal Advocates.
The Missouri Bar selected Mr. Huffman as a Lon O. Hocker Trial Advocacy Award recipient (2009). His peers have recognized him as a Missouri and Kansas Rising Star in 2011 and 2012 Missouri Superlawyer magazine.
Areas of Practice
Criminal Defense 95%
Workers Compensation 5%
Bar Admissions
Missouri, 2000
U.S. District Court Western District of Missouri, 2005
U.S. District Court Eastern District of Missouri, 2012
U.S. Court of Appeals 8th Circuit, 2005
Education
University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law, Kansas City, Missouri
J.D. - 2000
University of Central Missouri, Warrensburg, Missouri
B.S. - 1997
Honors: cum laude
Major: Criminal Justice
Representative Cases
Thomas v. United States, 128 S.Ct. 2046 (2008), 2008, U.S. Supreme Court
Honors and Awards
Lon Hocker Trial Lawyer
Super Lawyers Missouri & Kansas Rising Stars
Professional Associations and Memberships
Missouri Bar, Member, 2000 to Present
American Bar Association, Member, 2000 to Present
National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL), Member, 2004
Missouri Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (MACDL), Member, 2006
Springfield Metropolitan Bar Association (SMBA), Member, 2001
The National Trial Lawyers Top 100 Trial Lawyers, Member, 2012
The American Society of Legal Advocates, Member, 2012
Past Employment Positions
Missouri State Public Defenders Office, 2001 to 2002
Languages
English
