Litigation Director

Location: Kansas City, Missouri

Posted: 11/30/2025

Priority deadline: 2/1/2026; open until filled

About Heartland Center for Jobs and Freedom: 

The Heartland Center is a nonprofit organization that enforces the rights of low-wage workers and tenants while building collective power. We do this using three primary strategies. First, we defend tenants in eviction court, stopping hundreds of evictions each year while also recruiting tenants into social movements for good jobs and housing. Second, we handle impact housing and workplace litigation on behalf of low-wage workers and tenants and wed that litigation to grassroots organizing. And, third, we work in deep solidarity with our movement partners for broad social change, including minimum wage increases, right-to-counsel, and unionization efforts. Our impact work is geographically rooted in Kansas City but it spans Kansas City, St. Louis, and Springfield, Missouri – and is likely to reach other parts of the state in coming years.

At Heartland, we stand strongly against those practices that exploit low-wage workers, both on the job and in housing. We believe, by building the democratic power of low-wage workers and tenants in our courts, in our communities and at the ballot box, we can foster a humane society that embraces safe and affordable housing, good jobs, racial equality, and justice for all.

Position Overview 

Heartland Center seeks a seasoned, driven litigator to lead strategic litigation challenging (1) unsafe housing conditions in major housing complexes; (2) the violation of affordable housing requirements by subsidized housing developers; and (3) wage and hour violations among companies that employ low-wage workers. While experience in these specific areas of litigation is not required for this position, applicant must have rich litigation experience, preferably ten+ years. Applicant would supervise four to five litigators and at least one paralegal and work closely with the Executive Director, an attorney with 20 years of litigation experience. Applicant should be highly skilled, competent and willing to explore new, novel litigation strategies. Applicant should also be comfortable with the highly democratic participation of clients and the community in cases, including publicity, mobilizing tenants/workers into the courtroom, and updating class and putative class members at mass meetings.

Key Responsibilities 

  • Meet regularly with the Executive Director to determine program strategy and direction.

  • Meet regularly with Heartland Center’s Safe Homes for All, Stable Homes for All and Worker Power Projects to ensure projects are progressing and to assist attorneys with litigation strategy.

  • Ensure all cases are progressing through each litigation phase with adequate speed and workmanship.

  • Help attorneys meet their potential by handling trainings, evaluating performance, observing attorneys in court, and providing regular feedback and tips.

  • Review and revise attorneys’ briefing and other filings; handle high stakes briefing where needed.

  • Help attorneys prepare for hearings; handle high stakes hearings where needed.

  • Attend court, depositions, trials, inspections, client meetings, expert meetings and co-counsel meetings to assist attorneys in their development and contribute to the handling of cases.

  • Provide technical legal support, strategic guidance, and collaboration to movement partners.

  • Handle personnel issues as they relate to job performance.

  • Work in collaboration and cooperation with all Heartland Center staff and programs.

Required Qualifications 

  • Minimum of 8 years of civil litigation experience, 10+ years preferable.

  • Excellent writing and courtroom skills.

  • Demonstrated leadership in developing and executing litigation strategy.

  • Minimum of 3 years’ experience supervising or mentoring attorneys.

  • Vision and initiative to lead a mission-aligned, movement-oriented litigation program.

  • Substantial experience handling complex civil litigation independently.

  • J.D. degree and active bar membership in good standing in Missouri.

  • Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and work collaboratively.

  • Able to work longer hours during times of high demand, such as trials, major hearings, important briefings, and the like.

Compensation & Benefits 

Salary Range: $110,000 – $120,000, commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Benefits include:

    • Generous paid vacation, parental, sick, bereavement and personal time, as well as paid holidays 

    • One month sabbatical after five years of employment

    • Medical, dental, and vision coverage for FT employees and dependents

    • Life insurance

    • 401(k) style plan with 3% annual employer contribution

    • Short-term disability

    • Professional development, CLE’s and bar dues covered

How to Apply 

To apply, please submit the following application materials to marypfaff@jobsandfreedom.org and ginachiala@jobsandfreedom.org

  • A letter of interest, including why you are interested in the job and why you believe you would be a good fit.

  • Your resume

  • A legal writing sample (5–10 pages)

  • A list of three references (including at least one former or current direct supervisor)

EEO & At-Will Employment Statement 

Heartland Center is an at-will, equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace. We are an equal opportunity employer and comply with all applicable laws prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, ancestry, disability, status as a veteran, sexual orientation, marital or parental status, gender identity, or gender expression.