Does Missouri State Public Defender pay their employees well?

According to anonymously submitted Glassdoor reviews, Missouri State Public Defender employees rate their compensation and benefits as 2.3 out of 5. Find out more about salaries and benefits at Missouri State Public Defender. This rating has been stable over the past 12 months.

How satisfied are employees working at Missouri State Public Defender?

79% of Missouri State Public Defender employees would recommend working there to a friend based on Glassdoor reviews . Employees also rated Missouri State Public Defender 3.0 out of 5 for work life balance, 3.9 for culture and values and 3.7 for career opportunities.

What are the top reviewed jobs at Missouri State Public Defender?

Assistant Public Defender (8) , Attorney (3) , Assistant Public Defender II (2) , Legal Assistant (2)

What are the pros of working at Missouri State Public Defender according to real employee reviews?

"Great trial experience and training." ((in 3 reviews))

What are the cons of working at Missouri State Public Defender according to real employee reviews?

"Low pay and high caseload" ((in 8 reviews)); "Benefits are fine for a state position, the highlight of these being the possibility of vesting in a pension." ((in 3 reviews))

Missouri State Public Defender Reviews

3.7

79% would recommend to a friend

(29 total reviews)

Mary Fox

67% approve of CEO

71% positive business outlook

Missouri State Public Defender has an employee rating of 3.7 out of 5 stars, based on 29 company reviews on Glassdoor which indicates that most employees have a good working experience there. The Missouri State Public Defender employee rating is in line with the average (within 1 standard deviation) for employers within the Government and public administration industry (3.6 stars).

Reviews by job title

29 reviews

3.0

12 Aug 2023

Pros and cons

Investigator

Recommend

CEO approval

Business outlook

Pros

The people you work with are awesome and passionate. You get to help low income folks navigate the legal system.

Cons

Very emotionally draining. Absurd workload. Low pay.

3.0

21 Apr 2015

Great experience, no pay

Anonymous employee

Recommend

CEO approval

Business outlook

Pros

There is no faster way to gain trial experience than working as a public defender. The Kansas City and St. Louis offices also have comprehensive training programs. You get the opportunity to represent people with no other voice.

Cons

The pay is atrocious. Starting salary of $38,500 makes it all but impossible to live in a city, especially if you have substantial student loans. One employee had to enroll in an online community college just to continue deferring his loans. Also, no matter how hard you work -and you will - you will never be fully caught up. Lastly, sometimes your clients hate you.

3.0

12 Nov 2012

St. Louis City Public Defender

Assistant public defender

Recommend

CEO approval

Business outlook

Pros

Great trial experience. The opportunity to get hands on experience working in the courtroom and with client face to face. The attorneys there are incredibly bright and very dedicated. You have the opportunity to manage your own caseload.

Cons

Long hours at times, can be stressful and a little overwhelming. Your client's life is in your heads. There aren't a lot of support staff so often times you spend more time acting your own secretary instead of practicing law and working up your client's case.

Viewing 1 - 3 of 29 Reviews

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