Associate Attorney

JOB DESCRIPTION: ASSOCIATE ATTORNEY (Garden City, KS)

ABOUT THE FIRM

For more than 80 years, our firm has stood as a pillar of the Kansas legal community, earning a reputation for unwavering integrity, elite advocacy, and sophisticated and practical legal solutions. With approximately 35 attorneys across multiple offices statewide, we offer the robust resources, diverse practice groups, and institutional stability of a major regional firm, while maintaining the agile, collaborative culture of a tight-knit partnership.

We are seeking a diligent, highly motivated Associate Attorney to join our growing team in the Garden City office . This position offers an unparalleled opportunity to inherit a respected legacy, step into an active public sector and litigation practice, and receive direct mentorship from seasoned partners who are recognized leaders in their fields.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The core of this role focuses on public sector representation and municipal court prosecution. The successful candidate will serve as a trusted advisor to local government entities and step immediately into the courtroom, managing an active docket. While 1 to 3 years of experience is preferred, we are fully prepared to train and mentor an exceptional, highly diligent recent law school graduate who possesses a strong work ethic and the independence to work through complex problems. This position is on a partnership track.

PRIMARY PRACTICE AREAS

· Public Sector Representation & Counsel: Serve as legal counsel for local municipalities and school districts. This includes attending board and council meetings, advising public officials on governance, statutory compliance, open records/meetings laws, and administrative matters.

· Municipal Court Prosecution: Act as the city prosecutor, managing municipal court dockets, handling arraignments, negotiating plea agreements, and conducting bench trials.

· General Civil Litigation & Family Law: Handle a variety of general civil litigation matters from intake through trial, including a portfolio of domestic relations and family law cases (divorce, custody, and support proceedings).

CANDIDATE QUALIFICATIONS

· Education: Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an ABA-accredited law school. Top ½ of law school class rank is preferred.

· Licensure: Admission to the Kansas bar, or eligibility for immediate admission via reciprocity or the next scheduled bar examination.

· Experience: 0 to 3 years of legal practice.

CORE COMPETENCIES & PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

· Diligence, Hard Work & Responsiveness: A strong driver to master complex files, thoroughly prepare for court, and dedicate the effort necessary to serve our public and private clients seamlessly. This includes the vital ability to turn around high-quality work product in a prompt, efficient fashion.

· Independence & Problem-Solving : The ability to analyze legal issues critically, navigate procedural hurdles, and find solutions independently before seeking partner validation.

· Communication Skills : Exceptional oral advocacy and written communication skills, with the ability to speak confidently before public boards, interact professionally with court staff, and connect authentically with the Garden City community

· Flexibility & Reliability : The ability to work in a fast-paced environment, and the adaptability to switch gears seamlessly between advisory work and courtroom advocacy, backed by the steadfast reliability that partners and clients can depend on.

COMPENSATION, BENEFITS & CAREER ADVANCEMENT

We believe in rewarding the hard work and dedication of our attorneys with a comprehensive compensation package designed to support their long-term personal and professional well-being.

· Financial & Advancement: Competitive base salary commensurate with experience, a structured bonus schedule, profit sharing, and a direct, transparent track to partnership.

· Health & Wellness: Comprehensive health insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, and long-term disability insurance.

· Retirement Planning: 401(k) retirement savings plan.

· Relocation Assistance: The firm will provide relocation expense reimbursement for the successful candidate to ensure a seamless transition to the Garden City community.

· Additional Perks: A variety of other fringe benefits and professional development support.