State of Missouri
Associate Trial Counsel - Kansas City Capital Litigation
State of Missouri, Kansas City, Missouri, United States, 64101
Associate Trial Counsel - Capital Litigation
Attorney will represent clients who have been charged with first degree murder, and the State has filed a notice that it intends to seek the death penalty. The clients come from throughout the state, with an emphasis on those charged in the western half. Extensive travel is required.Capital litigation differs from non-capital trial practice in that most capital cases involve strong evidence of guilt. Extensive pretrial practice focuses on sentencing advocacy, negotiation, motions (legal and evidentiary), and social work. Successful capital litigation focuses on plea agreements and keeping capital jury trials to a bare minimum. This is not a practice area for attorneys who live for the rush of excitement that surrounds a jury trial. However, capital pretrial motion practice creates trial-like demands and requires experts and multi-day hearings. During preparation, the capital team must progressively and thoroughly evaluate the entire case.All capital attorneys are expected to develop one-on-one relationships with the client and the client’s family/support system. Associate trial counsels do not independently take on primary roles. Typically, the associate trial counsel progresses by shadowing senior team members and taking on relatively minor case assignments. On a capital team, associate trial counsels are expected to take direction from lead trial counsel and to be open to suggestions from the mitigation specialist and investigator.Requirements/Qualifications
Licensed to practice law in the State of Missouri, or transferring bar license from a different state.Interest in criminal law and defending constitutional rights of individuals who cannot afford an attorney.Experience in litigating complex and serious trials.At least five years of criminal defense practice preferred.Salary:
Salary is commensurate with experience and qualifications plus $500/month death penalty differential.APD I: $5,000/month (starting salary)APD II: $5,417/month (eligible for consideration after 1 year of successful performance)APD III: $6,036/month (eligible for consideration after 3 years of successful performance)Senior Public Defender I-II: $6,834- $7,283/month (eligible for consideration after continued highly successful performance)This position is exempt from the 24 month transfer eligibility requirement because it is not a lateral transfer and would be a promotional opportunity. All internal transfer decisions will be made taking into consideration office staffing needs and the best interest of the clients, MSPD, and the employee.
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Attorney will represent clients who have been charged with first degree murder, and the State has filed a notice that it intends to seek the death penalty. The clients come from throughout the state, with an emphasis on those charged in the western half. Extensive travel is required.Capital litigation differs from non-capital trial practice in that most capital cases involve strong evidence of guilt. Extensive pretrial practice focuses on sentencing advocacy, negotiation, motions (legal and evidentiary), and social work. Successful capital litigation focuses on plea agreements and keeping capital jury trials to a bare minimum. This is not a practice area for attorneys who live for the rush of excitement that surrounds a jury trial. However, capital pretrial motion practice creates trial-like demands and requires experts and multi-day hearings. During preparation, the capital team must progressively and thoroughly evaluate the entire case.All capital attorneys are expected to develop one-on-one relationships with the client and the client’s family/support system. Associate trial counsels do not independently take on primary roles. Typically, the associate trial counsel progresses by shadowing senior team members and taking on relatively minor case assignments. On a capital team, associate trial counsels are expected to take direction from lead trial counsel and to be open to suggestions from the mitigation specialist and investigator.Requirements/Qualifications
Licensed to practice law in the State of Missouri, or transferring bar license from a different state.Interest in criminal law and defending constitutional rights of individuals who cannot afford an attorney.Experience in litigating complex and serious trials.At least five years of criminal defense practice preferred.Salary:
Salary is commensurate with experience and qualifications plus $500/month death penalty differential.APD I: $5,000/month (starting salary)APD II: $5,417/month (eligible for consideration after 1 year of successful performance)APD III: $6,036/month (eligible for consideration after 3 years of successful performance)Senior Public Defender I-II: $6,834- $7,283/month (eligible for consideration after continued highly successful performance)This position is exempt from the 24 month transfer eligibility requirement because it is not a lateral transfer and would be a promotional opportunity. All internal transfer decisions will be made taking into consideration office staffing needs and the best interest of the clients, MSPD, and the employee.
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