3.0
21 Apr 2015
Anonymous employee
Current 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.