Position Overview
This position serves as the Chief Litigation Attorney for Legal Services for Students (LSS) at the University of Kansas. This position manages and supervises all matters relating to litigation cases. This position works with other attorneys to provide guidance, review strategies, and approve all court documents and settlement agreements. This position is responsible for providing professional, competent legal advice and representation to eligible students under the LSS office guidelines. This position functions as part of a dedicated team for client advocacy and is responsible for a high volume of cases. In addition to the role of legal counsel for students, the attorney educates members of the student body in matters relating to their legal rights and responsibilities. This is an exempt unclassified professional staff position under the FSLA and reports to the LSS Director/Managing Attorney.

LSS reports to the Office of the Vice Provost for Student Affairs. Student Affairs is the comprehensive services organization at the University of Kansas and is comprised of fourteen departments.

Job Description
30% - Serves as Chief Litigation Attorney

• Manages all matters relating to litigation cases.
• Reviews, supervises, and approves all litigation cases.
• Meets regularly with LSS staff attorneys to discuss strategy in preparation of litigation cases.
• Prepare all necessary legal documentation, pleadings, discovery documents and memoranda for court.
• Reviews and approves all court documents and settlement agreements.
• Appears in Douglas County District Court cases.

10% - Supervises legal interns as assigned by Director.

• Mentor student interns, fostering experiential learning opportunities.

5% - Supports, promotes, and participates in educational outreach.

• Conducts law-related workshops and educational seminars for the University community.
• Advises Student Senate and various committees as assigned by Director.
• Prepares newspaper articles and educational brochures.
• Participates in University and Student Affairs events and functions.
• Performs other duties as assigned by Director.

Required Qualifications

1. Juris doctor degree from an ABA-accredited law school.
2. Licensed to practice law in Kansas or is eligible to acquire Kansas license.
3. Excellent written communication skills as demonstrated by application materials.
4. At least two years of litigation/courtroom experience.

Preferred Qualifications

1. Clinical supervisory experience.
2. At least two years' experience practicing in landlord/tenant law and housing advocacy.
3. Experience handling individual income tax cases.
4. Experience working in immigration law.
5. Experience handling high volume caseload.
6. Strong interviewing and client counseling skills.
7. Experience working with domestic and international college student populations.
8. Computer skills, including Microsoft Office Suite.
9. Experience working with Clio case management software.
10. Licensed in to practice law in Missouri.
11. Experience working in higher education, nonprofit or public interest law settings.
12. Multilingual or cross-cultural communication skills.

Contact Information to Applicants
Kate Presley,
legals@ku.edu
785-864-5665
Additional Candidate Instruction
In addition to the online application, the following documents are required to be considered for this position:

• Cover letter describing how you meet the required and preferred qualifications.
• Resume
• List of three (3) professional references

Only complete applications will be considered.

Application review begins 12/8/2025. and will continue until a qualified pool of applicants are identified.

Advertised Salary Range
81,600-90,000 DOE
Application Review Begins
08-Dec-2025
Anticipated Start Date
12-Jan-2026
Primary Campus
University of Kansas Lawrence Campus
FTE
1.0
Reg/Temp
Regular
FLSA Status
Professional
Employee Class
U-Unclassified Professional Staff
Work Location Assignment
Hybrid
Disclaimer
The University of Kansas prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, ancestry, disability, status as a veteran, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, gender identity, gender expression, and genetic information in the university's programs and activities. Retaliation is also prohibited by university policy. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies and is the Title IX coordinator for all KU and KUMC campuses: Associate Vice Chancellor for Civil Rights and Title IX, civilrights@ku.edu, Room 1082, Dole Human Development Center, 1000 Sunnyside Avenue, Lawrence, KS 66045, 785-864-6414, 711 TTY.