Director of Operations / General Counsel
Director of Operations and General Counsel
Applications will be accepted through May 29, 2026
Responsibilities
The Director of Operations and General Counsel is responsible for administrative, secretarial, and litigation support for the office, ensuring client communication happens effectively, and supervising, training, and supporting all non-attorney roles in the office.
The Director of Operations will also work directly with the Executive Director to manage the day-to-day operations of the office. This means serving as the administrator of KHD’s digital case management system, and managing the maintenance of client records and data, and the tools advocates use to communicate within the office. Other activities include tracking and ordering office supplies, processing invoices, and coordinating with vendors.
As General Counsel, this position is responsible for coordinating with outside counsel, bookkeeping or other contractors relating to legal compliance, HR decisions, and policy. General Counsel is responsible for handling union grievances, and working with the staff union to execute agreements, MOUs, documentation and policy. General Counsel is also responsible for litigation support for special litigation, case coverage, and research and writing at the direction of the Executive Director.
The Director of Operations and General Counsel works directly under the Executive Director and serves as a trusted collaborator in the management and administration of the organization. The goal of this structure is to allow the Executive Director to focus on providing direct support to criminal and eviction defense attorneys, managing their own caseload, and engaging in fundraising and development activities. To that end, the Executive Director will delegate significant operational and administrative authority to the Director of Operations and General Counsel, with the expectation that both positions will work closely together to ensure the organization runs effectively. While the Executive Director retains final authority over organizational decisions, this role is designed to function with a high degree of autonomy, with both positions working independently and coming together regularly to align on direction and priorities.
This role is open to qualified attorneys, or non- attorneys at a lower rate (and without job duties relating to the practice of law)
Ensuring Effective Case Support - 40%
Ensure effective management and that day-to-day operations are professionally, efficiently, ethically, and equitably organized and administered;
Provide training, check-ins and supervision of all non-legal support staff (client advocates, investigators and paralegals);
Set up, monitor and improve tech tools for phone, email and client communication systems;
Train staff on KHD’s case management systems and work with developers to improve it for use by staff;
Establish and maintain systems for file-keeping and organization, case opening and case closing;
Ensure phone calls are answered and directed appropriately to staff;
Monitor and direct emails sent to shared email accounts
As time and capacity permit, provide research and writing support to both criminal defense and civil attorneys on special litigation projects or as needed due to attorney caseloads and capacity.
Office Management - 20%
Ensure office supplies are stocked and organized;
Work with support staff to ensure office and common areas are organized and clean;
Maintain KHD’s website and social media accounts;
Executive Director Support - 20%
Support and collaborate with the Executive Director in organizational planning, new initiatives, and day-to-day decision-making;
Manage requirements for grant reporting and compliance, invoicing, and paying bills;
Maintain processing of HR documents, benefits and payroll for staff;
Ensure submission, tracking and payment of vouchers for appointed cases or other accounts receivable;
Facilitate communication between management and staff, including input for the direction of the organization, strategy and new initiatives.
Work with bookkeeping, compliance law firms, or other outside contractors as assigned by the Executive Director;
Collaborate with the Executive Director on fundraising strategy and development activities, including donor relations, grant prospecting, grant writing, and supporting fundraising campaigns.
Special Litigation and Compliance - 20%
At the direction of and in collaboration with the Executive Director, develop and execute strategy for special litigation, including research, writing, and courtroom advocacy.
Revise, maintain and update training documents, procedures, processes and policy documents
Maintain communication with the bargaining unit’s designated representative to process grievances, execute MOUs, assist with bargaining, and compliance with the contract.
Qualifications
Applicants will be selected based on:
A commitment to the mission of serving poor and working-class people
Ability to anticipate needs of staff and work to find solutions to problems
Ability to independently manage responsibilities without supervision
Excellent attention to detail
Strong communication and interpersonal skills
Ability and desire to work collaboratively in interdisciplinary teams
Strong fluency with computer systems and ability to learn new organizational systems quickly
Ability and willingness to handle confidential matters with discretion
Licensed to practice law in Kansas;
Compensation
$72,800/yr, plus benefits (with law license)
$67,000/yr plus benefits (without law license)
Kansas Holistic Defenders is an equal opportunity employer and is cultivating an anti-oppressive workplace that embraces staff with a diversity of backgrounds, identities, and experiences. We acknowledge the ways in which systemic oppression and injustice can undermine access to professional opportunities and are committed to conducting hiring and promotion processes that are equitable and accessible to those commonly excluded from the workforce. We do not discriminate against and in fact specifically encourage applicants from marginalized communities to apply, including those who identify as Black, Indigenous, people of color, queer, transgender, gender non-conforming, disabled, neurodivergent, and those directly impacted by criminal, civil, family and immigration legal systems.
