Lawyers in Missouri

Finding a lawyer in Missouri

Missouri's lawyers cluster at its two ends, in the St. Louis and Kansas City metropolitan areas, with the state capital in Jefferson City and university-town practices in Columbia in between. Kansas City sits on the state line, so many lawyers there are licensed in both Missouri and Kansas, and it is worth confirming which side of the line your case belongs on before you hire.

This directory lists Missouri law firms by practice area and city. Because most cases are heard in the circuit court of the county where you live or where the events happened, start with your type of problem and then favor firms that regularly appear in that county.

When you need a lawyer (and when you may not)

Speak with a Missouri attorney promptly if you are arrested or charged, seriously injured, served with a lawsuit, or dealing with a divorce that involves children or property, or an immigration case. Missouri sets the time limits for filing claims in its statutes, and a lawyer can tell you which one applies to you and how much room you have.

Missouri circuit courts have a small claims division built for people without lawyers, and the state courts publish forms and self-help information for simpler matters. Minor traffic tickets and uncontested filings are often handled alone. If you are not sure, most firms will tell you in a short first conversation, which many offer free or at a reduced fee.

Common practice areas in Missouri

• Personal Injury and Car Accident — Missouri applies a comparative fault rule, so an injury lawyer will assess how any shared responsibility affects a claim and negotiate with insurers accordingly.
• Criminal Defense and DUI & DWI — defense against state charges in circuit and associate circuit courts; in Missouri the impaired-driving offense is called DWI and also affects your license through a separate administrative process.
• Family & Divorce — dissolution of marriage, custody and parenting plans, child support, maintenance and paternity in Missouri family courts.
• Estate Planning & Probate — wills, trusts, powers of attorney and estate administration through the probate division.
• Workers' Compensation — work injuries handled under the Missouri workers' compensation system.
• Real Estate and Business — property transactions and disputes, landlord-tenant matters, company formation and commercial contracts.
• Employment — wage claims, wrongful termination and discrimination cases under state and federal law.
• Immigration, Bankruptcy and Social Security Disability — federal practice areas handled before federal courts and agencies.
• Medical Malpractice, Tax, Intellectual Property, Civil Rights and Traffic Ticket lawyers complete the Missouri categories.

How to check a lawyer's license in Missouri

Lawyers in Missouri are licensed by the Supreme Court of Missouri, and all licensed attorneys belong to The Missouri Bar. The Missouri Bar's website has a public lawyer directory where you can confirm that an attorney is licensed and in good standing. Disciplinary matters are handled by the court's Office of Chief Disciplinary Counsel, which publishes information about public discipline.

Confirm an active, good-standing status and check for disciplinary history before hiring. For a Kansas City lawyer, also check which states they are licensed in if your matter may cross the line.

How to choose a law firm

Weigh experience in your practice area and in your county more heavily than firm size or advertising. A St. Louis County courtroom and a rural circuit in the Ozarks run differently, and a lawyer who works in yours will know the judges, the clerks and the local customs.

Ask how fees work. Injury cases are usually handled on contingency; family, criminal, business and estate matters are billed hourly or at a flat rate. Ask what costs are extra, whether a retainer is required and how it is handled, and get a written agreement.

Confirm who will actually work on your file and how quickly they respond. Firms that are clear about this at the start tend to stay that way.

Questions to ask at the first consultation

• How often do you handle cases like mine, and in this circuit?
• What are the likely outcomes, and what could change them?
• Who will handle my file, and who do I call with questions?
• How do you charge, what is billed separately, and can I have it in writing?
• What deadlines apply, and what needs to happen first?
• Is there anything I should stop doing or start documenting now?
• How will you keep me informed?

Free and low-cost legal help

Legal aid programs across Missouri provide free civil representation to low-income residents in housing, family, consumer and benefits matters. The metropolitan bar associations in St. Louis and Kansas City run lawyer referral services that offer a low-cost first consultation. Missouri courts publish self-help forms and guidance for people representing themselves, and the law schools in St. Louis, Kansas City and Columbia operate clinics that accept selected cases. A person charged with a crime who cannot afford a lawyer may ask the court to appoint a public defender.

This page is general information, not legal advice. Laws change and every case is different — talk to a licensed Missouri attorney about your situation.