Joseph E. Cordell

Joseph E. Cordell is a family law attorney, co-founder, and principal partner at Cordell & Cordell whose practice focuses on divorce and domestic relations matters. After working in general law, he shifted his attention to family law in 1990 after observing the challenges men often faced in custody, maintenance, and domestic violence proceedings. His work has since centered on representing men and fathers in divorce, child custody, support, and related disputes.

Mr. Cordell earned his B.S. in Accountancy from Oklahoma State University, J.D. from the University of Texas School of Law, and LL.M. from Washington University in St. Louis. He is also a graduate of the National Institute for Trial Advocacy and holds a Missouri CPA license.

Mr. Cordell combines legal and accounting knowledge when handling financially complex family law matters, licensed to practice in Missouri and Illinois. His background supports his work involving property division, support obligations, business interests, and other financial concerns that may arise during divorce. He also serves as an adjunct faculty member at Washington University School of Law.

Mr. Cordell has held leadership roles within the American Academy of Attorney-Certified Public Accountants, including serving as its past president and as president of the organization’s Missouri chapter. Missouri Lawyers Media named him to its Power List in 2020 and 2021, and he received an ICON Award in 2019 for sustained professional success and leadership.

Joseph E. Cordell has written and spoken extensively about divorce, fathers’ rights, custody, estate planning, and financial issues, beyond client representation. He founded several online resources for divorced and divorcing fathers and authored books addressing child custody and common mistakes men make during divorce. His commentary has appeared in national media, including The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Time, and CNN. He continues to contribute articles, seminars, interviews, and public education materials on family law and related concerns.

Law Office Affiliations

• Co-Founder, Principal Partner, Cordell & Cordell
• Adjunct Faculty Member, Washington University School of Law
• Member, American Institute of Family Law Attorneys
• Member, Missouri Bar Association
• Member, Illinois State Bar Association

Licensed State

• Missouri
• Illinois

Education

• Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri
  Master of Laws (LLM)
• University of Texas School of Law
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• Oklahoma State University
  BS in Accountancy

Awards & Badges