Managing Attorney - KS

Description

About Blitt and Gaines, P.C.

Blitt and Gaines, P.C. is a leading debt collection law firm with over 30 years of experience representing most of the nation’s largest financial institutions. With nine offices across Arizona, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Tennessee, and Wisconsin, our attorneys and support teams deliver high-quality, compliant, and ethical legal services.

At the heart of our firm are people—our clients, our employees, and the partnerships we build. Guided by our philosophy—Collect Compliantly. Litigate Ethically. Lead Effectively. Exceed Expectations. Expect Excellence—we uphold integrity, respect, and fairness in every interaction.

Job Summary:

The Managing Attorney is responsible for overseeing the legal and operational performance of the firm’s associate attorneys within their assigned state(s). This position provides leadership, mentorship, litigation oversight, and strategic direction while ensuring compliance with client expectations, court requirements, firm policies, and applicable laws.

The Managing Attorney serves as the primary legal resource for the state team and is responsible for maintaining quality control, managing attorney performance and capacity, overseeing contested litigation matters, and driving operational efficiency. This role requires strong litigation experience, leadership capabilities, and a deep understanding of creditors’ rights and collection litigation practices.

Essential Duties:

Legal Oversight & Litigation Management:

• Serve as the legal and operational subject matter expert for assigned state(s).
• Maintain comprehensive knowledge of applicable state laws, court procedures, client requirements, and operational standards.
• Review new claims placed with the firm to ensure legal compliance and adherence to client guidelines.
• Review, approve, and oversee pleadings, motions, discovery responses, and other filings prior to submission to the courts.
• Handle and oversee escalated contested litigation matters, including complex motion practice, arbitrations, trials, and counterclaims.
• Appear in court as necessary for contested matters, hearings, trials, and arbitrations.
• Provide legal guidance and strategic direction to associate attorneys regarding litigation strategy and case handling.
• Monitor legal developments and changes in applicable laws impacting creditors’ rights and collection litigation.

Attorney Management & Leadership:

• Manage and oversee Associate Attorneys and assigned legal staff within the state practice.
• Monitor attorney productivity, litigation volume, and performance metrics, including BI KPI reporting and volume per attorney.
• Analyze staffing capacity and workload distribution to ensure service levels and operational goals are met.
• Assign and manage attorney workloads and case assignments.
• Maintain and oversee the associate attorney training and development program.
• Mentor, coach, and support associate attorneys in litigation strategy, courtroom advocacy, and professional development.
• Maintain attorney review lists and conduct performance evaluations and feedback discussions.

Operational & Client Management:

• Maintain working knowledge of clients placing accounts within the assigned state(s), including client-specific standards and expectations.
• Monitor placement volume and operational trends to proactively identify staffing or workflow needs.
• Analyze local appearance costs and make recommendations regarding operational efficiency and vendor utilization.
• Collaborate with leadership to identify and implement process improvements and operational efficiencies.
• Ensure compliance with service-level agreements (SLAs), client standards, firm procedures, and internal controls.
• Manage telephonic and written communication with clients, opposing counsel, courts, and internal stakeholders as needed.

Requirements

Job Requirements:  

Education and Experience:

• Juris Doctorate required.
• Active license and good standing in the applicable state required. Additional licenses in BG states preferred.
• Minimum of 5+ years of litigation experience required.
• Debt collection or creditors’ rights litigation experience required.
• Prior supervisory or management experience preferred.

Computer Skills:

The most successful Managing Attorneys possess strong computer and analytical skills, allowing them to work efficiently in programs such as Word, Excel, case management systems, and reporting platforms used to monitor productivity and operational performance.

Interpersonal Skills;

• Ability to effectively communicate both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to lead, mentor, and collaborate with attorneys and staff across multiple offices and departments.
• Ability to work effectively with judges, opposing counsel, court personnel, clients, and firm leadership.
• Ability to exercise professionalism, sound judgment, tact, discretion, and diplomacy in all interactions.

Accountability:

• Ability to work independently and make responsible legal and operational decisions.
• Strong organizational and leadership skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Ability to maintain accurate records, monitor performance metrics, and ensure accountability across the legal team.
• Commitment to maintaining high-quality legal work product and operational excellence.

Performance Expectations

Success in this role includes:

• Meeting or exceeding client, SLA, and firm expectations through consistent quality, timeliness, and professionalism.
• Maintaining high-quality pleadings, litigation strategy, and legal compliance.
• Effectively managing attorney productivity and staffing capacity.
• Providing leadership and development for associate attorneys.
• Driving operational improvements and strategic process enhancements.
• Maintaining strong client relationships and operational performance standards.