From the Ground Up: Law Offices of Dee Wampler

Address: 2974 E. Battlefield Road

Owner/developer: Dee Wampler

General Contractor: Howard Bailey Co.

Architect: Slone Architects Inc.

Engineers: Edelman Engineering, Great River Engineering and Quantum Group

Size: 8,000 square feet

Estimated cost: $1.5 million

Lender: State Bank of Southwest Missouri

Estimated completion date: July

Project description: After outgrowing his 3,000-square-foot office at 1200 W. Woodhurst Drive, Springfield defense attorney Dee Wampler is building new digs more than double the size. Wampler's original plan called for a two-story building, but project architect Scott Sloan saw potential for a third floor above the firm's library. Wampler said that space will be used as a "legal war room" to work cases. Wampler is especially fond of the new law library, which will feature a glass wall. "That's always been a dream of mine. I've always wanted clients to walk in and be able to see a library." The law office comprises attorneys Wampler and Joseph Passanise, two investigators and three secretaries.