Staff Attorney Fellow

University of Kansas; Lawrence (KS); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The Staff Attorney Fellow at the University of Kansas Health System Medical Legal Partnership provides direct legal representation to patients and clients facing health-related legal barriers. Working closely with the MLP Managing Attorney, the fellow will supervise law students and collaborate with healthcare providers to promote better health outcomes.

This in-person position, with possible hybrid scheduling, is based on KU Medical Center's main campus in Kansas City, Kansas and ends August

Qualifications

• Eligible to practice law in the state of Kansas.
• Current KU Law 3L/upcoming KU Law graduate (Dec 2026, May 2027) or recent KU Law graduate (Class of 2026 or 2025).
• Formal degree in the cited discipline area(s) to ensure advanced knowledge, analytical skills and professional competencies.

Responsibilities

• Conduct applications and provide direct legal representation to clients with health-related needs (70%). Supervise, train, and mentor law students in direct representation of clients.
• Foster relationships with health providers to raise awareness of patient-client legal needs and facilitate referrals to the MLP.
• Other duties and special projects as assigned (10%).

Education

Juris Doctor (JD) or law degree required

Job description

Position Overview

The staff and law students at the KU School of Law Medical Legal Partnership at the University of Kansas Health System ("MLP") provide free legal representation in income supports, housing, education and employment, legal status, and personal and family stability to patients and clients who are from low-income communities; those who have mental health needs; those who are members of marginalized or vulnerable identities; or any combination thereof. The MLP staff and law students work collaboratively with health care partners to provide legal care that improves health at the patient, clinic, and population levels. This position is a regular, full-time, limited term position to end August 10, 2029, benefits‑eligible position located on the KU Medical Center main hospital campus in Kansas City, Kansas.

The Staff Attorney Fellow position provides an opportunity for a new or recent law graduate to assist clients with a wide variety of civil legal issues that present barriers to health outcomes. This highly transactional position will work directly with applicants, clients, and healthcare providers to ensure the best possible outcomes for a high‑needs client population. In addition, the Staff Attorney Fellow will work in collaboration with the MLP Managing Attorney to supervise law student work.

Job Description

• Conduct applications with and provide direct legal representation to clients with legal needs impacting their health (70%). Supervise, train, and mentor law students enrolled in the MLP externship experience in their direct legal representation of clients. Serve as a teaching assistant to the Managing Attorney, especially with regard to supervision of student intern work involving conducting applications for services.
• Foster relationships with new and existing health providers to raise awareness of patient‑client legal needs and facilitate referrals to the MLP for patients. Maintain relationships throughout the course of direct legal representation (20%).
• Other duties and special projects as assigned (10%).

Position Requirements

1. Ability to work full‑time in Kansas City, Kansas in an administrative office within a hospital health setting.
2. Position is in‑person but hybrid schedule can be negotiated.

Required Qualifications

1. Eligible to practice law in the state of Kansas (license or temporary permit/certification to practice law pending bar results or a reciprocal state license for application for the Kansas Bar)
2. Current KU Law 3L/upcoming KU Law graduate (Dec 2026, May 2027) or recent KU Law graduate (Class of 2026 or 2025)

This position requires a formal degree in the cited discipline area(s) to ensure that candidates have advanced knowledge, analytical skills and professional competencies necessary to perform the duties of the position. The level of degree is commonly recognized as the standard qualification for similar roles in the public and private sector, ensuring that the university remains competitive with industry aligned practices, enhances collaboration with external partners, and supports the delivery of services and programs that meet professional and market‑driven expectations.

Additional Candidate Instruction

Complete and submit online application. Include a cover letter that addresses the required and preferred qualifications of the position, a resume, and a list of three professional references with contact information.

Review of applications will begin August 10, 2026, and will continue until a suitable candidate is selected. To ensure priority consideration, apply before the review date.

Note: The search committee will be participating in and screening eligible 3L candidates (class of 2027) during on‑campus interviews (OCI) hosted by the KU Law Office of Career Services August 17, 2026 but also invite recent (class of 2025 and 2026) KU graduates not eligible to participate in OCI to apply online at employment.ku.edu/staff/33194BR. To ensure priority consideration, apply before the review date.

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 procedures and is the Title IX Coordinator for all KU and KUMC campuses: Associate Vice Chancellor for the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX, [e-mail], Room 1082, Dole Human Development Center, 1000 Sunnyside Avenue, Lawrence, KS 66045, 785-864-6414, 711 TTY. Reports can be submitted by contacting the Title IX Coordinator as provided herein or using the Title IX online report form and complaints can be submitted with the Title IX Coordinator or using the Title IX online complaint form.