Missouri State Public Defender System

Bolivar, Carthage, Chillicothe, Clayton/St. Louis County, Columbia Trial Office, Columbia Central Capital Office, Farmington, Hannibal, Jackson/Cape Girardeau, Jefferson City, Kansas City Trial, Kennett, Kirksville, Lebanon, Moberly, Monett, Nevada, Poplar Bluff, Rolla, Springfield, Troy, Union or West Plains, Missouri

Join the Missouri State Public Defender System as a Trial Attorney and provide zealous, high-quality legal representation to clients across Missouri who cannot afford an attorney.

With offices statewide—urban and rural—Missouri State Public Defender System offers diverse settings and a collaborative, mission-driven team. You’ll handle all phases of criminal defense, from investigation to trial, with a strong focus on client advocacy and professional development.

New attorneys benefit from nationally recognized training and continuous legal education. 


Job Number: 01-250520-01: Attorney


Company: Missouri State Public Defender System


Job Summary - Why you’ll love this position

Join the Missouri State Public Defender System as a Trial Attorney and provide zealous, high-quality legal representation to clients across Missouri who cannot afford an attorney. With offices statewide—urban and rural—MSPD offers diverse settings and a collaborative, mission-driven team. You’ll handle all phases of criminal defense, from investigation to trial, with a strong focus on client advocacy and professional development. New attorneys benefit from nationally recognized training and continuous legal education. 


Responsibilities - What you’ll do

As a Public Defender Trial Attorney at Missouri State Public Defender System, 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. This role involves establishing professional relationships with clients, advising and counseling clients, conducting thorough case investigations, and appearing in court for scheduled dockets and appearances.



Job duties include:

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.


Qualifications - All you need for success

Licensed to practice law in the State of Missouri, awaiting bar results, or transferring bar license from a different state.
Passion for criminal defense and commitment to justice for indigent clients.
Strong communication and advocacy skills.
Ability to manage a diverse caseload with efficiency and attention to detail.
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. 

   

Job Details - More reasons to love this position

The successful candidate will receive competitive compensation and State of Missouri benefits that 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.

Opportunity Locations include: 
Bolivar
Carthage
Chillicothe
Clayton/St. Louis County
Columbia Trial Office
Columbia Central Capital Office
Farmington
Hannibal
Jackson/Cape Girardeau
Jefferson City
Kansas City Trial
Kennett
Kirksville
Lebanon
Moberly
Monett
Nevada
Poplar Bluff
Rolla
Springfield
Troy
Union 


Interested Parties/How to Apply:

Please use this link to apply: https://mocareers.mo.gov/hiretrue/ce3/job-board/5effe9b2-4b89-494b-ac76-c45e25190768?division=Missouri%20State%20Public%20Defender


or the following link to visit MOCareers and apply for this position: https://mocareers.mo.gov

Click on Find Jobs (Upper Right Corner)

Select: Missouri State Public Defender

Input Keyword of: Attorney

 The State of Missouri is an equal opportunity employer.

We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.