More than half the attorneys on the staff of Douglas County Dist. Atty. Christine Kenney have applied to work for Dist. Atty.-elect Charles Branson, Branson said Thursday.

Branson had asked all 23 employees of the office to submit an application to keep their jobs by Dec. 1. Branson on Thursday declined to give a specific number of staff members who had applied but said it was more than half of the 11 attorneys and 12 support staff members.

“I’m very confident that between the people who have expressed an interest in staying and the applications we have from people outside the office, that we’ll have a very fine staff,” Branson said.

Branson, who has never prosecuted a jury trial, said he expected to hire some of the attorneys and support staff members who are currently on Kenney’s staff. After Branson’s victory in early November, there was speculation that the office would see large-scale turnover. The office currently is preparing for two first-degree murder trials.

Branson said he expected to begin making job offers in the next two weeks.

“I want to move as quickly as possible and determine who will fit in with my philosophy of what I would like to see happen with this office,” Branson said.

Branson, a Democrat, ran on a platform to start a consumer-protection office, try cases personally, and improve services for victims and witnesses.

Branson will be sworn in Jan. 10.