Hiring an Employment Lawyer in Missouri
Where to file a discrimination complaint in Missouri, exceptions to at-will employment, final pay rules, how to check a lawyer's license, and free help. We do not recommend or rank lawyers.
What a lawyer costs in Missouri: fee rules
| If you disagree with a lawyer's bill | The Office of Chief Disciplinary Counsel refers fee complaints to the Fee Dispute Resolution Committees operated by The Missouri Bar. |
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| If a lawyer takes your money | The Missouri Bar's Client Security Fund, created in 1966 and maintained by Bar members' annual fees, can compensate clients harmed by a lawyer who has been disbarred, suspended, ruled mentally incapacitated, or has died. Fee disputes and malpractice are not covered. File within two years of discovering the loss using the Client Security Fund Claim Form on MissouriLawyersHelp.org (or request a printed copy from the fund coordinator). A committee recommends full or partial payment or denial, the Board of Governors has final discretion, and the committee aims to decide claims within a year. |
Missouri rules to know first
| Where to file a discrimination complaint | Missouri Commission on Human Rights. Covers employers with 6 or more employees. A complaint must be filed with the Commission within 180 days of the discriminatory act. Employer definition: https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=213.010. Commission: https://labor.mo.gov/mohumanrights/discrimination Source: RSMo 213.075; RSMo 213.010 |
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| Exceptions to at-will employment | Missouri follows at-will employment. State law limits the exceptions to those in the Whistleblower's Protection Act (reporting unlawful acts or serious misconduct, or refusing to break the law), the Missouri Human Rights Act, and workers' compensation retaliation, and bars courts from expanding them. Source: RSMo 285.575.3 |
| Whistleblower protection | Employers may not fire an employee for reporting the employer's unlawful act to the proper authorities, reporting serious misconduct that violates clear public policy to the employer, or refusing to carry out an illegal directive. Supervisors whose job is to report on the matter are not protected. |
| Final paycheck if you are fired | Unpaid wages are due on the day of discharge. If the employee asks in writing for the pay to be sent and it does not arrive within 7 days, the employee's wages continue as a penalty for up to 60 days. Commission-based employees whose pay requires an audit are excluded. Source: RSMo 290.110 |
Find and check a lawyer
| Lawyer referral service | The Missouri Bar offers LawyerSearch, a directory of lawyers who have chosen to be listed, searchable by area of practice or Missouri county, with optional language-assistance filters; it is not described as a referral service, and "Inclusion on this list does not constitute an endorsement by The Missouri Bar of particular attorneys." In the St. Louis area, the Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis sponsors a Lawyer Referral and Information Service (bamsl.org). Missouri Bar phone: (573) 635-4128. BAMSL LRIS described at https://www.moept.uscourts.gov/lawyer-referral-and-information-service |
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| Check discipline history or file a complaint | Complaints about Missouri lawyers go to the Office of Chief Disciplinary Counsel (OCDC) in writing, using the online form, a printed or fillable PDF form, or a letter, one complaint per attorney (OCDC cannot investigate law firms). Mail: OCDC, 3327 American Ave, Jefferson City, MO 65109; phone 573-635-7400. Include the lawyer's name and address, the legal matter, any court and case caption, a detailed statement of facts, and documents such as fee agreements and proof of payment. There is no cost. Staff Counsel reviews complaints in order and tries to respond in writing within about four weeks; if a file is opened, the lawyer is usually notified and may respond, and you may reply. OCDC cannot give legal advice or recover money for you. A list of public discipline imposed since January 1, 2006 is posted by the Missouri courts. Public discipline list: https://www.courts.mo.gov/page.jsp?id=109856 ; disciplinary certificates: https://mochiefcounsel.org/obtaining-disciplinary-certificates/ |
Free legal help
| Free legal aid | Missouri's LSC-funded legal aid organizations give free civil legal help to eligible low-income people by region: Legal Aid of Western Missouri, Legal Services of Eastern Missouri, Legal Services of Southern Missouri and Mid-Missouri Legal Services Corporation. |
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Last verified against official sources: October 27, 2026.
How we source this page: each state-specific rule links to the statute, court rule or official government page it comes from. A rule taken from a public copy of a state code (used only where the official code is not freely readable online) is marked as a secondary source. Spot an error? Use the contact page to report it. About our sources
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.