Circuit Attorney's Office increases salaries to retain talent amid attrition crisis

In a recent meeting of the Budget and Public Employees Committee held on May 7, 2025, the City Council of St. Louis addressed critical issues surrounding the compensation and retention of attorneys within the Circuit Attorney's Office. The discussions highlighted the ongoing challenges the office faces in maintaining a competitive salary structure to prevent the loss of talent to neighboring jurisdictions.

A key point raised during the meeting was the significant turnover within the office, with 17 attorneys having left in the past two years. The Circuit Attorney emphasized the need for budgetary considerations that would enhance retention efforts, particularly in light of the competitive salaries offered by St. Louis County and smaller prosecutor offices. The attorney noted that while recent salary increases were implemented, they still lag behind those offered by neighboring offices, making it difficult to attract and retain qualified personnel.

The Circuit Attorney's Office had previously instituted raises in December 2023, with increases of 2.5% for average performers and 5% for high achievers. However, despite these efforts, the office remains underfunded compared to St. Louis County, where starting salaries for comparable positions are significantly higher. For instance, while the Circuit Attorney's Office offers an entry-level salary of $68,000, St. Louis County starts at approximately $79,000. This disparity is compounded by the fact that private law firms in the area pay around $25,000 more for similar entry-level positions.

The committee members expressed understanding of the Circuit Attorney's efforts to improve compensation and acknowledged the broader implications of staffing shortages across various city departments. The discussion underscored a citywide concern regarding employee retention and the need for a comprehensive pay study to ensure competitive salaries across all departments.

As the meeting concluded, the Circuit Attorney reiterated the importance of addressing these salary disparities to maintain a fully staffed and effective office. The committee's discussions reflect a growing recognition of the need for strategic investments in public service salaries to enhance workforce stability and service delivery in St. Louis. The anticipated next steps include further collaboration with the budget division to explore solutions that could help bridge the salary gap and improve retention rates in the Circuit Attorney's Office and beyond.