General Counsel

Kentucky Bar Association; Frankfort (KY); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

The Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) in Kentucky seeks a General Counsel to lead the Office of General Counsel and its divisions. This in-house role provides strategic legal advice, oversees litigation, and manages organizational policies affecting the Kentucky Court of Justice.

The successful candidate will supervise staff, coordinate legal services, allocate resources, and interact with senior officials and committees to ensure lawful and efficient operations.

Qualifications

• Graduate of an accredited law school.
• At least 7 years of work-related experience in the practice of law.
• Certificate of admission to the Kentucky Bar Association, active membership, in good standing.

Responsibilities

• Supervises assigned staff; plans, assigns, and reviews work; provides guidance and feedback; evaluates performance.
• Oversees day-to-day operations of the Office of General Counsel and related units.
• Manages hiring, discipline, and realignment of staff as needed.
• Directs provision of legal services to the Administrative Office of the Courts and senior officials.
• Allocates resources for legal services including juvenile justice, criminal justice, and family law matters.
• Coordinates litigation involving the judiciary and manages contracts and invoicing.

Skills

Staff supervision

Legal advice

Litigation management

Policy drafting

Stakeholder collaboration

Education

Juris Doctor degree

Job description

The Kentucky Judicial Branch offers rewarding career opportunities with the Administrative Office of the Courts in Frankfort and courts statewide. Employees enjoy state government benefits, including generous vacation and sick leave, health insurance, retirement, and a commitment to diversity, inclusion, and work-life balance.

The Division of Legal Services has a General Counsel position open in Franklin County. General Counsel serves as in-house counsel, responsible for providing quality and timely legal advice, analysis, and services to the Administrative Office of the Courts, and upon request, to the Chief Justice, the Supreme Court, and appointed and elected officials. General Counsel also provides oversight and management of the organizational units within the Office of General Counsel: Division of Legal Services, Court of Justice Forms Unit, and the State Law Library and Archive and Destruction Unit.

Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:

• Provides direct supervision to assigned staff; plans, assigns, and reviews work; provides guidance and feedback; evaluates employee performance; and addresses employee development and performance matters in accordance with applicable policies and procedures.
• Oversees the day-to-day operations and directs the programs, activities, and staff of the Office of General Counsel, Legal Services Division, Legal Forms Unit, and State Law Library.
• Manages and monitors work performance by directing employees across business functions within the Office of General Counsel, including making decisions on hiring and discipline, evaluating program and work objectives and effectiveness, and realigning work and staffing assignments as needed.
• Plans, prioritizes, directs, and evaluates the provision of legal services provided to the Administrative Office of the Courts, and upon request, to the Office of the Chief Justice, the Supreme Court, and appointed and elected officials.
• Evaluates and commits resources within the Office of General Counsel for the provision of legal services related to topics including juvenile justice, criminal justice, and family law; court-involved legislation; personnel matters; court records; procurement; real property; capital construction; language access; court services and applications; and court security.
• Coordinates and oversees litigation in which the judicial branch, AOC, or its officials or employees have been named as party defendants, including arranging for representation, managing the legal service contract and invoices, reviewing pleadings and discovery, preparing mediation recommendations, and attending depositions or court proceedings when necessary.
• Advises and facilitates compliance with and/or response to subpoenas, court orders, and search warrants directed to the AOC, Kentucky Court of Justice, or any official or employee thereof.
• Directs all strategic decision-making related to the Court of Justice forms program, including designation of projects, approval of resources, timelines, communications, and development or use of workgroups.
• Reviews and provides final publication approval of all Court of Justice forms.
• Serves on various formal and ad hoc committees regarding legal issues affecting the Kentucky Court of Justice or directs appropriate staff to do so on his or her behalf.
• Represents the judicial branch in meetings with external justice partners, task forces, and executive and legislative branch agencies and committees.
• Oversees or assists with drafting and reviewing AOC policy documents and Kentucky Court of Justice administrative procedures, orders, and rules of court.
• Oversees the management and operations of the State Law Library, including the provision of library services and legal resources for officials and personnel of the Kentucky Court of Justice and members of the public.
• Oversees the management and operations of the archive and destruction unit for all Kentucky Court of Justice records, including strategic decision-making impacting record retention schedules and assignment of resources.
• Other duties as directed by the AOC Director or the Chief Justice.

Working Conditions:

Work is primarily performed in an office environment and requires regular and consistent in-office presence to effectively perform the essential functions of the position. The position may require prolonged computer use and review of detailed documents and records. The position requires frequent interaction and meetings with KCOJ employees, executive leadership, judicial officers, elected officials, legislators, legislative staff, agency officials, and other governmental stakeholders. The position requires attendance at meetings, hearings, court proceedings, and other governmental activities and the ability to make in-person presentations and, when requested, provide testimony before the General Assembly and legislative committees. Work schedules may require extended or irregular hours during legislative sessions and other periods of time-sensitive legal or operational activity. In-state travel is required as necessary to conduct official business.

General Counsel -Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC)-Non-Tenured (NT) | Job Details

Minimum Requirements

EDUCATION: Graduate of an accredited law school

EXPERIENCE, TRAINING, OR SKILLS: At least 7 years of work-related experience in the practice of law.

Substitute EDUCATION for EXPERIENCE: NONE

Substitute EXPERIENCE for EDUCATION: NONE

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS (AGE, LICENSURE, REGULATION, ETC.): Certificate of admission to the Kentucky Bar Association, active membership, in good standing