Early Hire Attorney

State of Missouri; Missouri; On-site; USD 48,367 - 69,750; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Defined pension plan

Health insurance

Generous leave and holidays

Job summary

Missouri Public Defender System (MSPD) seeks motivated individuals to begin public defense careers as Early Hire Attorneys across Missouri, with priority rural placements. Attorneys provide zealous advocacy, handle criminal matters, and advance through structured mentoring as new bar results are obtained.

Initial roles include Law Clerk statuses before licensure, with eventual promotion to Assistant Public Defender I, and competitive state benefits.

Qualifications

• Passion for criminal defense and commitment to justice for indigent clients.
• Strong communication and advocacy skills.
• Willingness to work in varied settings and adapt as necessary.
• Collaborative spirit to work effectively with support staff and legal team members.
• Openness to continuous learning and participation in training programs.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain professional relationships with clients through telephone communication, meetings, and institutional visits.
• Provide comprehensive legal counsel and guidance to clients at every stage of their case.
• Conduct thorough investigations, including interviews with clients, witnesses, expert witnesses, and family members.
• Review law enforcement reports and examine discovery materials to build a solid defense strategy.
• Keep clients informed about the progress of investigations, negotiations, and court rulings.
• Attend regularly scheduled court dockets and all appearances related to the assigned caseload.
• Effectively litigate all aspects of each client's case through disposition at the trial court level.
• Conduct legal research to stay abreast of statutes, regulations, and pertinent court decisions.
• Prepare legal documents, including motions, pleadings, and briefs for hearings, trials, and legal proceedings.
• Prepare cases, clients, and witnesses for trial, ensuring a comprehensive and strategic approach.
• Promote and protect the best interests of clients at all times, incorporating a holistic approach to legal representation.
• Collaborate with colleagues and support staff to provide comprehensive legal services.
• Foster a team‑oriented approach to enhance the overall effectiveness of legal representation.
• Attend CLE sessions as required to stay updated on legal developments and enhance professional skills.
• Sit for upcoming Missouri Uniform Bar Examination (UBE).

Job description

About the Missouri Public Defender System (MSPD)

The Missouri Public Defender System (MSPD) is dedicated to providing legal representation to citizens accused of or convicted of crimes in Missouri who cannot afford an attorney. MSPD operates statewide through district offices that are strategically located throughout the state, offering opportunities to work in diverse settings, from urban areas like Kansas City and St. Louis to more rural environments. With a team of about 700 professionals, including over 400 attorneys, MSPD handles diverse caseloads. Training is a top priority and MSPD ensures continuous professional development with distinguished, nationally recognized trial skills courses that equip public defenders for their commitment to justice. Additionally, all entry level attorneys with MSPD are matched with a mentor as part of MSPD's Structured Mentorship program.

MSPD is currently seeking motivated individuals who are ready to kickstart their career in public defense as an Early Hire Attorney. There are opportunities statewide, with priority placements in rural areas. Candidates interested in a rural placement should consider applying to the Missouri Justice Fellow position.

After submission of an application candidates will be contacted by Human Resources about the next steps in the process. Interview and hiring timelines vary depending on the current hiring needs of MSPD. Following an initial screening interview, Early Hire applications will remain active with MSPD until 120 days past the release of bar exam results. Often, callback interviews for metropolitan offices do not occur until late spring or summer. Candidates may update their interest at any time by emailing: [e-mail]

As a Public Defender with MSPD, you will be a crucial advocate for clients, ensuring they receive high‑quality, zealous legal representation. You will represent clients throughout all phases of criminal matters in the state of Missouri.

Job Duties

• Client Advocacy
  • Develop and maintain professional relationships with clients through telephone communication, meetings, and institutional visits.
  • Provide comprehensive legal counsel and guidance to clients at every stage of their case.
• Case Investigation
  • Conduct thorough investigations, including interviews with clients, witnesses, expert witnesses, and family members.
  • Review law enforcement reports and examine discovery materials to build a solid defense strategy.
• Communication and Transparency
  • Keep clients informed about the progress of investigations, negotiations, and court rulings.
  • Ensure open and transparent communication with clients regarding their legal matters.
• Court Appearances
  • Attend regularly scheduled court dockets and all appearances related to the assigned caseload.
  • Effectively litigate all aspects of each client's case through disposition at the trial court level.
• Legal Research and Document Preparation
  • Conduct legal research to stay abreast of statutes, regulations, and pertinent court decisions.
  • Prepare legal documents, including motions, pleadings, and briefs for hearings, trials, and legal proceedings.
• Trial Preparation
  • Prepare cases, clients, and witnesses for trial, ensuring a comprehensive and strategic approach.
• Client Interests and Holistic Approach
  • Promote and protect the best interests of clients at all times, incorporating a holistic approach to legal representation.
• Collaboration
  • Collaborate with colleagues and support staff to provide comprehensive legal services.
  • Foster a team‑oriented approach to enhance the overall effectiveness of legal representation.
• Continuing Legal Education (CLE)
  • Attend CLE sessions as required to stay updated on legal developments and enhance professional skills.
  • Sit for upcoming Missouri Uniform Bar Examination (UBE).
• Additional Qualifications
  • Passion for criminal defense and commitment to justice for indigent clients.
  • Strong communication and advocacy skills.
  • Willingness to work in varied settings and adapt as necessary.
  • Collaborative spirit to work effectively with support staff and legal team members.
  • Openness to continuous learning and participation in training programs.

Compensation and Benefits

This is a full‑time position. The successful candidate will begin as a Law Clerk while awaiting Bar results with a salary of $4,334/month. Upon licensure you will promote to Assistant Public Defender I with a corresponding salary of $6,250/month. In addition to competitive compensation, State of Missouri benefits include a defined pension plan, generous amounts of leave and holiday time, and eligibility for health insurance coverage. Learn more about benefits at https://publicdefender.mo.gov/employment/working-for-mspd/benefits/ Your total compensation is more than the dollars you receive in your paycheck. To help demonstrate the value of working for the State of Missouri, we have created an interactive Total Compensation Calculator. This tool provides a comprehensive view of benefits and more that are offered to prospective employees. The Total Compensation Calculator and other applicant resources can be found https://pers.oa.mo.gov/applicants . The salary listed reflects the base pay rate. Verified prior state service, subject to applicable eligibility requirements, may increase total compensation.

Contact

Inquiries can be directed to Hannah Vaughn, Recruitment Coordinator at: [e-mail]