University of MissouriMU School of Law

Career Development

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Alumni Entry Level In Missouri

Most legal employers are reputable and reliable, but the Career Development Office is not in a position to guarantee the professional standing of individual law firms, attorneys, companies or other employers posting position notices. Applicants should research potential employers as part of the job search process.

  • 11/19/09: Lee’s Summit seeks an Assistant City Prosecutor. Salary is dependent upon qualifications and includes an excellent benefit package. At the direction of the City Prosecutor, this full-time position works with all City departments to assist in preparation, filing, and prosecution of municipal ordinance violations in the Lee's Summit Municipal Court (includes general ordinance, code violations, traffic, domestic violence, and animal control cases). This position also handles the Mental Health Court Docket, Trial De Novo Dockets, and Domestic Violence Dockets as assigned. Requirements: admission to the Missouri Bar. Municipal law, trial, and prosecution experience is preferred. Applicants must have the ability to work with elected officials, staff members and the public effectively and efficiently. Submit a cover letter, resume, and application (available at http://cityofls.net/City-of-Lees-Summit/Submenu/Employment.aspx). Mail or fax documents to Human Resource, City of Lee's Summit, 220 SE Green, Lee's Summit, MO 64063; (816) 969-1055 (fax). Application deadline: November 30, 2009
  • 11/18/09: Rapidly growing Jefferson County law firm is accepting applications for an entry-level attorney. Ideal candidate will be responsible for handling a family law/domestic relations caseload as well as some criminal dockets. The successful applicant must be a self-starter and will quickly assume his/her own caseload, which will include litigation. Strong research, writing, and organizational skills and excellent communication skills are required. Applicants must be licensed to practice law in MO. Starting salary is entry-level unless the chosen individual has relevant experience. Please send resume with references and writing sample to P.O. Box 238, Hillsboro, MO 63050.
  • 11/18/09: The Missouri State Public Defender’s Office is accepting applications for an Assistant Public Defender position in the St. Joseph office through November 25. For more information and to apply, please visit www.publicdefender.mo.gov
  • 11/18/09: The United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois is seeking a temporary chambers law clerk to Chief United States District Judge David R. Herndon. Although this position is in Illinois, is is commutable from the metropolitan St. Louis area. Salary: $56,411. This is a temporary position for 1 year and 1 day. Incumbent provides legal support to Chief Judge Herndon by conducting legal research and preparing legal documents such as orders, memoranda, and draft opinions. Incumbent works primarily on civil cases. Summary of Representative Duties and Responsibilities: 1) Review legal submissions, performs legal research, and drafts legal documents addressing a wide assortment of issues arising in civil litigation; 2) Perform case management through the Case Management/Electronic Case Filing (CM/ECF) system; 3) Perform administrative office functions such as editing, proofreading, telephone communications, written correspondence, and scheduling. To qualify for the position of temporary chambers law clerk, applicant must be a law school graduate (or be certified as having completed all law school studies and requirements and merely awaiting conferment of degree) from a law school of recognized standing, and have 1 or more of the following attributes: 1) Standing within the upper 33% of the law school class from a law school on the approved list of either the ABA or the AALS; 2) Experience on the editorial board of a law review of such a school; 3) Graduation from such a school with an LLM degree; or 4) Demonstrated proficiency in legal studies which, in the opinion of the judge, is the equivalent of 1 of the above. Applicants must also have 1) Exceptional legal research skills/ proficient with Westlaw; 2) Exceptional legal writing skills/proficient with WordPerfect; 3) Exceptional ability to communicate, articulate, and relate to coworkers and others with professionalism and integrity’ 4) Self-motivation and the ability to manage multiple tasks and meet competing deadlines. Familiarity with the federal judicial system’s electronic case filing system (CM/ECF) is preferred. Prior experience in a legal office or courthouse environment is preferred. Prior to appointment, the selectee considered for this position is required to undergo an FBI Background Check and Investigation. The selectee may then be appointed provisionally, and retention will depend upon a favorable suitability Procedures for Applying: Submit cover letter, AO 78 Application for Judicial Branch Federal Employment (located at www.ilsd.uscourts.gov), resume with 3 references and writing sample to United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois, Attn: Human Resources Specialist –Confidential, 750 Missouri Avenue, East St. Louis, Illinois 62201-2954. Please do not email or fax application materials. Applications must be received by November 27, 2009. Incomplete and late application materials will not be considered. Applicants must be United States citizens or eligible to work in the United States. Selection will be made consistent with the provisions of the Equal Opportunity Plan adopted by the United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois. Applicants selected for interviews must travel at their own expense, and relocation expenses will not be reimbursed.
  • 11/10/09: The City of Columbia is accepting applications for the position of Assistant City Counselor II in the Law/Prosecutor's Office. Salary range: $49,173-70,997, pending Council approval. Requirements: graduation from an accredited law school and 1 year of experience practicing law, preferably with experience in public sector law. Applicants must have considerable knowledge of principles and practices of the legal profession; Missouri law and rules of court; legal research; and the investigation, preparation and presentation of cases in court or other formal litigation. Applicants must also have knowledge of legal office procedures involved in enforcing various codes and ordinances, the ability to prepare and render legal opinions and to handle trial and appellate litigations, and a valid MO license to practice law. Official City of Columbia application form must be received in the HR Department by 5:00 p.m. on November 20, 2009. For information/application, contact HR at (573) 874-7235 or visit www.gocolumbiamo.com.
  • 11/9/09: The City of St. Louis seeks an Attorney I. Normal entry salary: $47,814. This is entry-level legal work in the City Counselor’s Office which may include practice in the areas of municipal prosecutions, problem properties, civil litigation, and/or municipal or development agency contracts and real estate matters. The current vacancy is for a term position which is funded by a federal grant for a 3-year project in the Problem Properties Unit. Minimum Qualifications: Graduation from a school of law approved by the Committee on Legal Education of the ABA. Membership in the Missouri Bar will be required before certification to a vacant position. Applicants must also be in the top 66% of their law school class; if no rank is available, then applicant must provide an explanation of the school’s grading system and a description of academic accomplishments. Applicants must submit the following documents with their applications: 1) Verification of professional credentials, including membership in the Missouri Bar (if applicable) and law school transcripts; 2) 2 legal writing samples; 3) Current resume listing professional references. Last date for filing application: December 4, 2009. Applications can be submitted online but supporting documentation must be submitted separately by the deadline. Visit the city web site at www.stlouiscity.com and link to Jobs with the City. A limited number of applicants may be called for the oral interview based on an evaluation of their academic qualifications as listed on the resume or application and an evaluation of the writing samples. Please fully describe any work experience and educational achievements (e.g. rank, honors, service on law journal or review, service on moot court, published law review article, etc.) on application, resume, or addendum.
  • 10/27/09: Murphy Wasinger, L.C. seeks an attorney with 1-4 years of experience to handle commercial litigation, banking, foreclosure and loan workouts. Applicants must be licensed in MO and IL. Please email resume to dwasinger@mwlawlc.net
  • 10/12/09: The Lincoln Co. Prosecuting Attorney's Office has an opening for an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney. Job duties include handling traffic and misdemeanor dockets/trials. Salary is commensurate with experience. The position is available for a limited term of 1 year with the possibility of extension. Submit resume to G. John Richards, P.O. Box 319, Troy, MO 63379
  • 10/2/09: Liberty Mutual has an opening for a Field Counsel in its Kansas City office (#08738). Salary: $62,250-75,000. A Field Counsel will represent the company and its policyholders in civil litigation and workers' compensation matters involving claims for money damages or compensation for personal injury or property damage of a moderate value with moderately complex legal issues. Responsibilities: 1) Use Litigation Protocols to develop and revise appropriate legal strategy for discovery, investigation, handling and trial/hearing of cases or matters; 2) Conduct necessary and appropriate discovery, hearings, trials, depositions, oral arguments, mediations, arbitrations and similar proceedings; 3) Research the law applicable to cases or matters; drafts legal documents, pleadings, motions, briefs and opinions as required. If requested, conduct settlement negotiations; 4) Advise, communicate and confer with Claims Representatives and Insured Clients, rendering clear, unambiguous legal opinions and advice. Personally meet with, and maintain good relations and communications with Claims Representatives and Insured Clients as required; 5) Remain current with developments in the law; understand medical, scientific, construction, products, engineering or similar issues and defenses involved with cases or matters; 6) Prepare and conduct training sessions for Legal, Claims or other departments as required; 7) Provide daily direction and guidance to junior attorneys; 8) Understand and creatively use technology; apply technology to the process of law to improve quality and reduce cost; 9) Act as a team or group leader for an assigned group within the office; 10) Interface with Home Office Legal department. Qualifications: 1) JD and admission to the bar; 2) Special license to practice before a particular board or federal court may be necessary; 3) Minimum of 1 successful year of experience as an attorney; 4) General knowledge of insurance law and specific understanding of the operations and requirements of insured clients, customers and the company; 5) Ability to effectively communicate and persuade by written or spoken word is critical; 6) Experience and ability appropriate to the level of cases or matters handled. Travel: 10% of the time. For more information, visit www.libertymutualgroup.com
  • 9/23/09: Ensz & Jester is seeking an Associate to become a part of a busy litigation and business practice. Litigation experience is preferred, but not required. The litigation practice involves the defense of governmental liability actions, employment practices claims, and general tort and commercial litigation. The position will entail drafting pleadings and discovery, along with trial preparation, motion practice and legal writing. The office is in Downtown Kansas City but provides services in Western Missouri and Eastern Kansas. Applicants must have Missouri license and will be required to obtain Kansas license. Salary is negotiable, based on experience. Please direct resume and contact information by email to rjester@enszjester.com, or by mail to 1100 Main Street, Suite 2121, Kansas City, MO 64105, Attention: Robert Jester.
  • 9/22/09: Saline County Prosecutor seeks Assistant Prosecutor with responsibility for prosecution in all phases of felony, misdemeanor and traffic offenses. The right person will have the additional opportunity to participate in established civil practice in progressive, rural community with excellent public school system. Benefits include health insurance and paid vacations. Applicants must be litigation-oriented and want the opportunity to become a permanent part of a secure, moderate-sizde rural community. Please submit resume, transcript and writing sample with letter of interest to Saline County Prosecuting Attorney, Saline County Courthouse, Room 100, Marshall, MO 65340.
  • 9/18/09: AV-rated litigation firm located in SW Missouri is looking for an attorney licensed in Missouri with 1-3 years of experience and exceptional research and writing skills. Successful applicant must be able to show excellent academic record; graduation in the top 10% of class preferred. Competitive benefit package with 401(k), and relocation allowance may be available. Starting salary: $75,000. Background check and substance-use check required prior to hire. Send resume, transcript, and verifiable work-related references to ATTN: Business Manager, PO Box 1693, Joplin, MO 64801-1693. Deadline: November 30, 2009
  • 9/16/09: Drug Court Coordinator: Limited term contract position available with the Office of the City Manager, Community Justice Program, 1101 Locust Street, Kansas City. Work involves planning, organizing, coordinating, and monitoring the activities of the Kansas City Municipal Drug Court as well as overseeing the operational day-to-day activities. Responsibilities include development of policies and procedures, training, grant writing and supervision of the office of the Drug Court employees and coordinating all phases of the Drug Court program. Serves as liaison between the Court and treatment providers and must maintain cooperative relationships with treatment agencies, community organizations, and the KCMDC. Requirements: accredited Bachelor's degree in criminal justice, sociology, psychology, social work or related field and 2 years of experience in criminal justice and/or chemical dependency assessment and treatment. An accredited Master's degree is preferred. Please send your resume and cover letter with current salary immediately to Tracie McClendon, 4600 E. 63rd. Street, Kansas City, MO 64130; (816) 513-7928 (fax); tracie_mcclendon@kcmo.org.
  • 9/15/09: Judge Alok Ahuja and Judge Mark Pfeiffer of the Missouri Court of Appeals, Western District are accepting applications for clerkships to begin in Fall 2010. Applicants to Judge Ahuja should send a cover letter, resume, list of references, writing sample and law school transcript directly to him. Applicants to Judge Pfeiffer should be in the upper 25% of the law school class and should send a cover letter, resume, writing sample and letters of reference specifically addressing research and writing skills directly to him. Both judges may be reached at 1300 Oak Street, Kansas City, MO 64106-2970. At this time, no other Western District judge is accepting applications for Fall 2010.
  • 9/9/09: Legal Aid of Western Missouri has 2 openings for Attorneys/Litigators. The selected applicants will represent Kansas City local nonprofit community development corporations and neighborhood associations on targeted inner-city community improvement initiatives. These positions will focus heavily on real estate transactions and civil land-use litigation with the target outcome being blight remediation of vacant and abandoned inner-city properties. Applicants must have the following: Missouri Bar license (or the ability to obtain Missouri license soon after hire), sensitivity to diverse communities, group client counseling skills, ability to work independently, excellent judgment, strong reasoning and writing abilities, good organizational habits, highly level of motivation, and the ability to learn quickly. Preferred credentials include: strong academic achievement (e.g., moot court, law review/journal, or practical clinical experience) litigation experience, background in community development, and commitment to public interest law. Salary: $37,200, plus benefits. Send cover letter, resume with references, and writing sample to Michael Duffy, Managing Attorney, Legal Aid of Western Missouri, 920 Southwest Boulevard, Kansas City, MO 64108; mduffy@crn.org.
  • 9/1/09: Springfield office of Kansas City metro area firm with primary practice in litigation seeks attorney with 1-2 years of experience for potential associate position. If interested, send cover letter and resume to Barry Warren, bew@wsabe.com or P.O. Box 12290, Overland Park, KS 66282.