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. We do this using three primary strategies. First, we defend tenants in eviction court, stopping hundreds of evictions each year. Second, we handle impact litigation on behalf of low-wage workers and tenants. And, third, we work with partner organizations for policy change.

Position Overview 

Heartland Center seeks a seasoned litigator to supervise impact litigation that challenges (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 should have rich litigation experience, preferably ten+ years. Applicant would supervise four litigators and at least one paralegal and work closely with the Executive Director.

Key Responsibilities 

  • Meet with legal team to ensure cases are progressing through each litigation phase with adequate speed and workmanship.

  • 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.

  • Accompany attorneys to court, depositions, trials, inspections, client meetings, expert meetings and co-counsel meetings where doing so will help attorney’s development and contribute to the handling of cases.

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

Qualifications 

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

  • Excellent writing and courtroom skills.

  • Substantial experience handling complex civil litigation independently; class action experience a major plus.

  • 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.