About Joel
Joel Beckwith built his legal foundation at Southern Illinois University. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in philosophy from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in 2009 and completed his Juris Doctor at Southern Illinois University Carbondale in 2013. Those years framed his move from the study of ideas to the practice of law.
He began working in law firms shortly after law school. In 2016 he joined Burger Law as an associate. The next year he moved to Freeark, Dennis, Murphy & Moskop, P.C., where he continued as an associate attorney. In 2023 he took a position at Rynearson, Suess, Schnurbusch & Champion L.L.C. Each role added layers of practical experience. He handled case research, drafted motions and settlement documents, and supported litigation teams in preparing matters for court.
Beckwith is licensed to practice in both Illinois and Missouri. That dual admission has allowed him to take on matters across state lines and become familiar with procedural differences between the two systems. He has spent time in state courtrooms and in conference rooms preparing pleadings and client strategies.
Professional ties include membership in the Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis, where he has been involved since 2015. He attends continuing legal education programs and participates in local bar activities. Those connections keep him current on changes in practice and provide a network of colleagues for consultation on technical questions.
Colleagues describe him as steady in the courtroom and methodical in case preparation. He has worked under senior trial lawyers and alongside other associates to manage discovery, prepare witnesses, and draft substantive briefs. Over time he has taken on more responsibility for direct client contact and for shepherding matters from intake through resolution.
At Rynearson, Suess, Schnurbusch & Champion L.L.C. he continues to practice as an associate attorney. He handles litigation-related work and the procedural tasks that move cases forward. He currently concentrates his practice on civil litigation in state courts.
