Experience

Kansas Legal Services, Inc.

• United States
• Legal Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Director of Advocacy and Litigation

  • Jul 2021 - Present

  Kansas City, Kansas, United States · Developing strategic advocacy initiatives set out in the strategic plan and those that develop in the future. · Mentoring attorneys at all levels to develop litigation skills, including the identification and approval of training needs, licensing requirements and opportunities. · Integration into each KLS substantive work groups, including attendance at meetings, striving to bring a focus on recurring issues and potential strategic litigation opportunities for their… Show more · Developing strategic advocacy initiatives set out in the strategic plan and those that develop in the future. · Mentoring attorneys at all levels to develop litigation skills, including the identification and approval of training needs, licensing requirements and opportunities. · Integration into each KLS substantive work groups, including attendance at meetings, striving to bring a focus on recurring issues and potential strategic litigation opportunities for their resolution. · Provide internal communication to all staff on emerging legal issues, changes in the law that affect clients or KLS operations, and sharing success stories. · Assist with monitoring caseloads, development of caseload standards to insure a balance between individual casework, and community outreach and advocacy on systemic issues that benefit a larger client population. · Assist with staff orientation, so that the vision of strategic litigation becomes a law firm wide concept. · Co-counseling, coordinating and advising on complex litigation or emerging legal issues and leading teams and evaluating alternative forums for solving issues in advance of litigation. · Assist the Pro Bono Coordinator in involving private law firms in co-counseling on appropriate cases. · Participate in and coordinate the activities of the KLS complex litigation team. · Lead initiatives related to efficient handling of cases, including standardizing internal forms across offices and taking advantage of available technologies and evaluating alternative technologies.

• Assistant Managing Attorney

  • May 2020 - Present

  Kansas City, Kansas, United States • Knowledge of poverty law, supervisory skills, and knowledge of administrative techniques • Responsibility for casework, including regular case reviews for case handling staff • Supervisory duties of staff attorneys, law clerks, paralegals, and secretarial staff • Direct supervision and oversight of projects

• Staff Attorney

  • Oct 2013 - May 2020

  Kansas City, Kansas • General civil practice, primarily housing and family law • Supervised pro bono/emeritus attorneys at Johnson County Help Center



KANSAS LEGAL SERVICES, INC.

• United States
• Legal Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Legal Intern

  • May 2011 - Jun 2013

  Topeka, Kansas • Tried and assisted attorneys with civil bench trials for protection orders, divorces, and other proceedings • Assisted over 700 clients in numerous civil matters including payment negotiations and wrongful terminations • Trained new interns to analyze and respond to legal issues and to assist clients • Prepared a multitude of legal documents such as petitions, motions, answers, and responses • Helped attorneys prepare for all stages of court proceedings including depositions and… Show more • Tried and assisted attorneys with civil bench trials for protection orders, divorces, and other proceedings • Assisted over 700 clients in numerous civil matters including payment negotiations and wrongful terminations • Trained new interns to analyze and respond to legal issues and to assist clients • Prepared a multitude of legal documents such as petitions, motions, answers, and responses • Helped attorneys prepare for all stages of court proceedings including depositions and settlement agreements • Researched various legal topics such as step-parent adoptions and division of marital property Show less