Our Approach to Representation

Our Approach to Representation

ArchCity Defenders' interdisciplinary team of professionals uses a holistic, client-centered approach to legal representation. This approach equips our staff and community partners to zealously advocate for our clients legally, and also provides the knowledge and resources needed to work with our clients' on non-legal matters. In addition to the best possible legal outcomes, the ArchCity Defenders strives for long-term solutions. We work to break the cycle of revolving door justice in the St. Louis metropolitan region, one client at a time.

Client-Centered

At ArchCity Defenders, we understand that each individual comes to our organization with a different set of needs, strengths, and priorities. Our scope of representation and the services we provide are informed by our clients' individual lives and each person's unique set of circumstances.

Holistic

Our organization treats clients like people, not just cases. We focus on the whole person and our work extends beyond a client's legal matter. Also, unlike traditional criminal defense representation, our organization maintains client relationships well after a client's legal matter has been resolved. Working with social service organizations and community partners, the ArchCity Defenders leverages community resources to help clients address the collateral consequences of the criminal justice system, and also any underlying or concurrent issues they might be facing.

Interdisciplinary

Our goal is to help clients' transition into full and rewarding lives in our community. We understand that in many instances, a client's legal matter is just one aspect of a much more complex set of concerns and issues. While traditional criminal defense only tackles the legal representation, our team incorporates evidence-based practices from across disciplines to work through both legal and non-legal matters. Bringing together experts from a variety of disciplines—criminal and civil attorneys, social workers, investigators, parent advocates, and community organizers—we work to address all of our clients' needs, offering individuals and families an array of wrap around services. Sharing best practices across fields helps us achieve better outcomes in the courtroom and also life-changing outcomes outside of the courtroom.