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10/31/2026 (11:59 PM ET)
General Counsel -Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC)-Non-Tenured (NT)
Salary
$120,000.00 - $135,000.00 Annually
Employment Type
Judicial Branch | Administrative Office of the Courts | 37.5 HR/WK
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Hiring Agency
Judicial | Court of Justice
Location
1001 Vandalay Drive
Frankfort, KY 40601 USA
Description
The Division of Legal Services has a General Counsel position open in Franklin County. General Counsel servesas in-house counsel, responsible for providing quality and timely legal advice, analysis, and services to theAdministrative Office of the Courts, and upon request, to the Chief Justice, the Supreme Court, and appointedand elected officials. General Counsel also provides oversight and management of the organizational unitswithin the Office of General Counsel: Division of Legal Services, Court of Justice Forms Unit, and the StateLaw 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 andfeedback; evaluates employee performance; and addresses employee development and performance matters inaccordance with applicable policies and procedures.
- Oversees the day-to-day operations and directs the programs, activities, and staff of the Office ofGeneral Counsel, Legal Services Division, Legal Forms Unit, and State Law Library.
- Manages and monitors work performance by directing employees across business functions within the Officeof General Counsel, including making decisions on hiring and discipline, evaluating program and work objectivesand effectiveness, and realigning work and staffing assignments as needed.
- Plans, prioritizes, directs, and evaluates the provision of legal services provided to the AdministrativeOffice of the Courts, and upon request, to the Office of the Chief Justice, the Supreme Court, and appointedand elected officials.
- Evaluates and commits resources within the Office of General Counsel for the provision of legal servicesrelated to topics including juvenile justice, criminal justice, and family law; court-involved legislation;personnel matters; court records; procurement; real property; capital construction; language access; courtservices and applications; and court security.
- Coordinates and oversees litigation in which the judicial branch, AOC, or its officials or employees havebeen named as party defendants, including arranging for representation, managing the legal service contractand invoices, reviewing pleadings and discovery, preparing mediation recommendations, and attendingdepositions or court proceedings when necessary.
- Advises and facilitates compliance with and/or response to subpoenas, court orders, and search warrantsdirected 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, includingdesignation of projects, approval of resources, timelines, communications, and development or use ofworkgroups.
- 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 ofJustice 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 andlegislative branch agencies and committees.
- Oversees or assists with drafting and reviewing AOC policy documents and Kentucky Court of Justiceadministrative procedures, orders, and rules of court.
- Oversees the management and operations of the State Law Library, including the provision of libraryservices and legal resources for officials and personnel of the Kentucky Court of Justice and members of thepublic.
- Oversees the management and operations of the archive and destruction unit for all Kentucky Court ofJustice records, including strategic decision-making impacting record retention schedules and assignment ofresources.
- Other duties as directed by the AOC Director or the Chief Justice.
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, activemembership, in good standing
Working Conditions
Work is primarily performed in an office environment and requires regular and consistent in-office presence toeffectively perform the essential functions of the position. The position may require prolonged computer useand review of detailed documents and records. The position requires frequent interaction and meetings withKCOJ 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, whenrequested, provide testimony before the General Assembly and legislative committees. Work schedules mayrequire extended or irregular hours during legislative sessions and other periods of time-sensitive legal oroperational activity. In-state travel is required as necessary to conduct official business.
If you have questions about this advertisement, please contact Amanda Coulter at AmandaCoulter@kycourts.net
