General Counsel

Kansas State Board of Indigents’ Defense Services (SBIDS)

Our mission is to fulfill the constitutional promise of a zealous defense by providing our clients with team-based advocacy that champions their human dignity and achieves just outcomes on their behalf.

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. BIDS does not sponsor or assume sponsorship of an employment visa.

SBIDS Current Job Openings

About the Position:

• Who can apply: Anyone
• Classified/Unclassified Service: Unclassified
• Full/Part-time: Full-Time
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
• Eligible to Receive Benefits: Yes
• Veterans’ Preference Eligible: Yes

Compensation:

• Annual Salary Range: $95,000.00 - $125,500.00

Note: Salary can vary depending upon education, experience, or qualifications.

Employment Benefits:

• Comprehensive medical, mental, dental, vision, and additional coverage
• Sick & Vacation leave
• Work-Life Balance programs: parental leave, military leave, jury leave, funeral leave
• Paid State Holidays
• Employee discounts with the STAR Program
• Retirement and deferred compensation programs

Visit the Employee Benefits page for more information

Position Summary:

The Kansas State Board of Indigents’ Defense Services (SBIDS) is accepting applications for the position of General Counsel, based in the Administrative Office in Topeka, Kansas. This is an attorney and senior leadership position reporting directly to the Executive Director.

The General Counsel provides legal advice and representation to the agency on a broad range of legal matters. The position works closely with the Executive Director to implement executive priorities, strengthen agency operations, and protect the confidentiality, independence, and integrity of public defense across SBIDS trial, appellate, and capital defense programs.

Our mission is to fulfill the constitutional promise of a zealous defense by providing our clients with holistic, team-based advocacy that champions human dignity and achieves just outcomes on their behalf. The Board of Indigents’ Defense Services, through its regional public defender offices and assigned counsel program, represents adults charged with felonies who cannot hire an attorney.

By supporting and elevating public defense in the State of Kansas, BIDS empowers its team to provide relentless representation and collaborative advocacy in service of client-centered outcomes.

The BIDS Administration Office supports the work of all BIDS employees, as well as assigned and contract counsel. We are seeking an experienced attorney with a demonstrated commitment to indigent defense, sound judgment, and the ability to translate complex legal issues into practical policies.

This position offers an opportunity to support defense teams throughout Kansas while building durable privacy and governance programs that protect clients, personnel, and the agency.

Job Responsibilities may include but are not limited to the following:

The General Counsel serves as a member of the Senior Leadership Team and advises the Executive Director and, as appropriate, the Board. The position collaborates with agency leadership, Human Resources, fiscal and procurement personnel, information technology professionals, regional offices, and outside partners.

This position is responsible for ensuring the agency's operations, policies and procedures, contracts, and administrative actions comply with applicable federal and state laws, statutes, and regulations.

The duties of the General Counsel include, but are not limited to the following:

• Advise the Executive Director and Board on agency authority, statutory and regulatory obligations, professional responsibility, legal risk, and the implementation of executive priorities. Provide timely, practical recommendations and develop plans to carry approved initiatives through completion.
• Research and interpret statutes governing SBIDS, agency regulations, court rules, and other applicable state and federal requirements. Identify needed changes and develop proposed legislation, regulations, policies, and implementation plans for consideration through the appropriate approval process.
• Advise on human resources matters and policies, including recruitment, employee relations, discipline, investigations, workplace conduct, leave, accommodations, discrimination, retaliation, and employment-related confidentiality. Work closely with Human Resources to support consistent, lawful, and fair practices.
• Review, draft, and negotiate contracts, interagency agreements, memoranda of understanding, leases, professional services agreements, and technology and case management agreements. Advise on procurement requirements, contract administration, vendor performance, and resolution of contract disputes.
• Represent and advise SBIDS in civil litigation, employment and administrative disputes, contract claims, and other proceedings within the position’s authority. Coordinate with outside counsel, insurers, and other state entities when required or appropriate; manage litigation strategy, discovery, preservation, and settlement recommendations.
• Advise agency personnel responding to threatened or actual sanctions, contempt allegations, subpoenas, ethics inquiries, or other proceedings arising from official duties. Where authorized and consistent with professional responsibility and conflicts requirements, provide representation or coordinate appropriate counsel.
• Advise on Board governance, the Kansas Open Meetings Act, the Kansas Open Records Act, records retention, legal holds, audits, and lawful responses to court orders and requests for agency information. Protect client confidentiality, attorney-client privilege, work product, and other legally protected information.
• Develop, review, and implement agency policies; provide legal training and guidance; monitor changes in law and professional standards; and maintain constructive relationships with courts, state agencies, professional organizations, and other stakeholders while protecting independent defense advocacy.
• This position is not expected to provide direct representation of appointed indigent clients.
• Maintain the agency’s Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP), including required annual updates and submission to the Kansas Division of Emergency Management (KDEM).
• Perform other duties assigned by the Executive Director consistent with the position’s legal, privacy, and governance responsibilities.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities

• Exceptional written and verbal communication, legal research, analytical, negotiation, and advocacy skills; ability to explain legal and technology issues clearly to attorneys and non-attorney personnel.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively, exercise sound judgment, manage competing priorities, and see complex projects through implementation.
• Ability to handle confidential matters and emergency situations with professionalism, discretion, and composure; an uncompromising commitment to personal and professional ethics.
• Ability to build constructive relationships, participate in leadership strategy sessions, and treat clients, employees, colleagues, and stakeholders with dignity and respect.

Qualifications

Education

• Juris Doctor degree from an ABA-accredited law school.

Licensing & Certification

• Must be licensed to practice law in Kansas and maintain active membership in good standing at the time of employment and throughout employment.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license and be willing and able to travel to regional defender offices and other locations as required by the position.

Minimum Qualifications

Applicants must have, at minimum, the following qualifications:

• At least one year of experience in civil litigation and/or serving as General Counsel or Chief Counsel for a state agency or non-cabinet agency.
• Experience in addressing human resources matters and policies; reviewing and negotiating contracts; developing and implementing policies; and advising on procurement.
• Familiarity governing statutes and applicable Kansas law, and the ability to advise agency leadership and develop workable plans for approved changes.
• Familiarity with applicable ABA public defense standards, including the Ten Principles of a Public Defense Delivery System and Criminal Justice Standards for the Defense Function; relevant ABA standards for prosecutors; and standards of judicial conduct relevant to defense practice.
• Ability to work closely with the Executive Director to implement executive priorities and provide effective advice and representation in agency disputes and proceedings.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master of Public Administration degree.
• Experience developing or administering privacy programs, conducting privacy or vendor risk assessments, and responding to information security or confidentiality incidents.
• Experience with legal technology, case management systems, or technology procurement; demonstrated ability to lead projects involving attorneys, non-attorney defense team members, information technology personnel, and vendors.
• Experience in capital defense, appellate practice, or complex criminal litigation; experience advising on sanctions, contempt, or professional responsibility matters.

All Employment is subject to the Governor’s Salary Approval

Recruiter Contact Information:

• Name: Shawn Keeling
• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: 785-296-6631
• Mailing Address: 700 SW Jackson Street, Suite 500 Topeka, KS 66603

Job Application Process

• Cover letter
• Resume
• List of three professional references
• Writing Sample
• If you are claiming Veteran’s Preference, please also include your DD214

Please ensure that all required documents are uploaded as part of the application process.

Applications will be considered on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

For questions, contact the SBIDS Human Resources recruitment office at [email protected].

Helpful Resources at jobs.ks.gov: “How to Apply for a Job – Instructions” and “How to Search for a Job – Instructions"

Post-Offer/Pre-employment Requirements

Kansas Tax Clearance Certificate required:

In accordance with Executive Order 2004-03. Each applicant (even non-residents) who is selected for a State of Kansas job vacancy must apply for a Tax Clearance Certificate within 10 days from the date of the offer letter by accessing the Kansas Department of Revenue's (KDOR) website at www.kdor.ks.gov/apps/taxclearance/Default.aspx .

If you need assistance with the tax clearance, please contact KDOR at (785)296-3199 or by email at [email protected]

How to Claim Veterans Preference

Veterans' Preference Eligible (VPE): Former military personnel or their spouse that have been verified as a "veteran"; under K.S.A. 73-201 will receive an interview if they meet the minimum competency factors of the position. The veterans' preference laws do not guarantee the veteran a job.

Positions are filled with the best qualified candidate as determined by the hiring manager.

Learn more about claiming Veteran’s Preference

Equal Employment Opportunity

The State of Kansas is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, political affiliation, disability or any other factor unrelated to the essential functions of the job.

If you wish to identify yourself as a qualified person with a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act and would like to request an accommodation, please address the request to the agency recruiter.