Every five minutes, public defenders in Missouri do something that once was almost solely the province of law firm lawyers: They’re tracking their time. For the 320 lawyers in the state public defender’s office, it’s an unwelcome task but one that might hold the key to their future and could blaze a path for other beleaguered defenders nationwide.
"We had to bite the bullet and do it," said Cathy Kelly, who heads the office. "It’s a huge challenge, a huge sea change…but good things will come of it in the long term."
