Chelseá Mitchell

Chelseá R. Mitchell serves as a supervising attorney with the Midwest Innocence Project and directs the Innocence Clinic at the University of Missouri School of Law. After over a decade of providing direct representation to the indigent accused and the indigent convicted, she now shares her passion with rising advocates and new lawyers.

As an advocate, Chelseá believes in client-centered representation and bold lawyering. She believes in empowering her students to do the same. At the Innocence Clinic, she works with students to examine voluminous trial records, to find what other attorneys may have missed, and to tell a court the real story of each person’s injustice.

Chelseá’s first encounter with the Innocence Clinic was as a law student, herself, where she saw firsthand the struggle of those brought into our criminal legal system. Since then, she has practiced exclusively on behalf of those who cannot afford an attorney, representing people accused of state crimes in trial and appellate courts throughout Missouri. Prior to joining MIP, Chelseá worked in the state public defender’s capital litigation unit, representing people against whom the state sought the death penalty. Chelseá received a Bachelor of Science degree from Evangel University and her Juris Doctor from the University of Missouri.

A lifelong Missourian, Chelseá lives in Columbia, takes advantage of its eclectic offerings and enjoys a weekend trip to the local farmers market. She can also be found on one of the many area trails with her dog, Lily, or on a patio with friends.