2021 40 Under 40 Yearbook: Daniel Wooten

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Then: Partner, Neale & Newman LLP

Now: Managing Partner, Neale & Newman LLP


Twenty-five years after joining Neale & Newman, Daniel Wooten, 49, now leads the Springfield law firm as its managing partner.

He succeeded Paul White on Jan. 1 as leader of the 50-employee firm, which he joined straight out of law school in 1996.

“Anytime I’ve ever wanted to do anything to improve my professional abilities, the firm has been supportive of that,” he says on why he’s spent his entire legal career at Neale & Newman.

Wooten also has remained legal counsel for Ozarks Technical Community College for over 20 years and recently began serving on the Springfield Symphony Board of Directors.

He says the firm, which now has 14 partners, is in growth mode.

“We’ve thought about maybe expanding locations. As far as current staff in town, we’re looking at hiring some more associates,” he says. “We’re currently discussing the level of expansion.”

Best advice to young professionals? Work very hard to develop clients as well as referral sources and develop specialized knowledge and skills that will make you particularly valuable.