About the Team

JUDD McPHERSON

Judd has been practicing law in the area of Criminal Defense since 1997. Judd has more than two decades of experience with criminal defense, and specializes in impaired driving cases. His experience as a former Joplin police officer has given him tremendous insight on the technical aspects of DWI defense. Judd focuses his continuing legal education every year on sharpening his skills as a DWI defense attorney. He exhausts every DWI defense strategy to challenge a drunk driving arrest and hopefully avoid a conviction, incarceration, loss of license and the collateral consequences.

Judd was raised in Joplin, Missouri and attended Joplin High School. He and his wife Carmen live on land just north of the Joplin area. They have four children- Devyn, Hunter (and wife Daniella), Brenlee (and husband Desmond) and Brandon (and wife Alyssa). They have six grandchildren, and a fur baby named Sadie. Judd enjoys hunting and fishing in his spare time.

Judd received his Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice Administration and Associate’s Degree in Law Enforcement from Missouri Southern State University. He was selected the Outstanding Law Enforcement Graduate by the MSSU faculty. Judd paid for his undergraduate degrees by working the midnight shift for the Joplin Police Department and going to school in the daytime and evenings. It was working the midnight shift as a police officer where Judd first gained experience with the technical aspects of DWI charges.

After graduating from MSSU, Judd took a position as a District Supervisor for Wal-Mart Stores, Inc, where he oversaw fourteen stores in South Carolina and Georgia. He was promoted to Regional Manager in the Sam’s Club Division, and oversaw nine Sam’s Clubs in Northern California.

Judd was offered a scholarship to attend Washburn University School of Law. He took a leap of faith and left Wal-Mart to obtain his Juris Doctorate degree. While at Washburn Law School, Judd participated in national Moot Court competitions, where he won awards for his skills in brief writing and oral arguments. Judd completed an internship at the US Attorney’s Office in Topeka, Kansas, where he became the first intern to be granted permission by the US Magistrate Judge to argue motions in US District Court.

After graduating from Washburn Law School, Judd returned to his hometown of Joplin and started practicing law. His daughter Brenlee has graduated from the Arkansas University School of Law, and will be joining the practice after taking the bar exam.

BRENLEE McPHERSON BUERGE

Brenlee recently graduated Cum Laude from the University of Arkansas School of Law. While at Arkansas Law School, Brenlee interned for both the Public Defender’s Office and the Prosecutor’s Office in Fayetteville, AR, where she gained the knowledge and skills to practice as a criminal defense attorney alongside her dad, Judd. Brenlee also interned for a local Judge in Joplin, Missouri before her last semester of law school in order to better understand how the surrounding area handles a multitude of cases. Because of Brenlee’s experiences throughout law school, she is already comfortable in the courtroom. She looks forward to serving clients in any way that she can.

Brenlee received her Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting from Pittsburg State University where she also played for the Women’s Basketball program. Brenlee graduated Suma Cum Laude with a 4.0 GPA in just three years while also going to the Elite Eight and winning a regular season Conference Championship with her basketball team. During her undergraduate tenure, Brenlee also competed in Brazil with the Division II USA Women’s Basketball team. From the time she was little, however, Brenlee knew that her passion was in the law, so she ended her college basketball career early to go to Arkansas for law school.

After graduating from the University of Arkansas School of Law, Brenlee returned to Joplin to join Judd at his law firm, now known as The McPherson Law Firm. Brenlee now lives in the Joplin area with her husband, Desmond Buerge, and will be a huge asset for the firm and for the community.

FINA EATON

Fina was born in Mountain Home, Arkansas but has been a Joplin resident for most of her life. Fina moved to Vail , Colorado for several years before planting her roots back in Joplin. Fina attended Missouri Southern State University upon moving home. Fina has several years of experience in the local court system, and is a tremendous asset to the team. She is bilingual, which provides additional diversity to our law office.

Fina dedicates her time away from the office traveling and spending time with her two children. Fina’s interests include gardening, traveling and having fun with friends and family.

TERRY GRACE

Terry grew up in West Plains, Missouri. She moved to Springfield, Missouri after graduating from high school to attend Southwest Missouri State University (now Missouri State). Terry graduated with a Degree in Financial Management & Marketing. She moved to Joplin, Missouri in 1988. Terry has two daughters- Jennifer Grace (Tulsa, Oklahoma) and Lindsey Grace (Rochester, Minnesota). She retired from the Joplin School District in 2019 after working there for more than 20 years. Terry served in several different capacities, most notably as the personal administrative assistant to the Superintendent and Athletic Director. She loves traveling and spending time with her daughters.

The McPherson Law Firm

ATTORNEYS AT LAW

The McPherson Law Firm

ATTORNEYS AT LAW

The McPherson Law Firm

ATTORNEYS AT LAW

About the Team

The McPherson Law Firm

ATTORNEYS AT LAW