Apply to Be a Panel Attorney

Join the MSPD Team as a Panel Attorney

Are you a private attorney interested in representing indigent clients in Missouri on a contract basis?

Attorneys interested in receiving contract case assignments from MSPD may apply to be Panel Attorneys in one or more judicial circuits of the state. If qualified and accepted as a Panel Attorney, the attorney will be asked to enter into a Panel Attorney Contract with MSPD setting out the expectations under which cases are assigned. Importantly, counsel shall provide representation in all contracted cases through final disposition. If counsel is unable to complete representation, MSPD will require counsel to find substitute counsel, accept future reduced-fee assignments to recoup the contract fee in the case, or return the full retainer to the State of Missouri; the applicable remedy may be chosen by MSPD.

The Panel Attorney Application and Panel Attorney Contract are found at the links below.

MSPD reserves the right in its discretion to deny a panel attorney application, to deviate from the panel attorney case assignment rotation, to reassign a case, to reduce the seriousness of the types of cases assigned to a panel attorney, or to temporarily or permanently remove an attorney from the panel.

MSPD provides equal opportunities to all panel attorneys and applicants without regard to race, color, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, sex, pregnancy, gender, gender identity, disability, genetic information, marital status, age, religion, sexual orientation, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws.

Request Litigation Expenses on Private Cases

Are you a private attorney seeking litigation expenses from MSPD for an indigent client on a private case?

The Case Contracting team includes the staff members listed below, but please email only one Case Contracting email account or staff member at a time. The general Case Contracting email account listed above is preferred.

Maggie Johnston, Case Contracting Division Director
E-mail: Maggie.Johnston@mspd.mo.gov
Phone: 573-777-9977 Ext. 235

Sara Watson, Case Contracting Attorney
E-mail: Sara.Watson@mspd.mo.gov
Phone: 573-777-9977 Ext. 326

Jenny Young, Case Contracting Attonrney
E-mail: Jenny.Young@mspd.mo.gov
Phone: 573-777-9977 Ext. 220

Kim Long, Contracts Assistant
E-mail: Kim.Long@mspd.mo.gov
Phone: 573-777-9977 Ext. 211

Laura Serwe, Contracts Assistant
E-mail: Laura.Serwe@mspd.mo.gov
Phone: 573-777-9977 Ext. 215