Executive Director Transition and Search

After eight years of dedicated work to further AppalReD Legal Aid’s mission of expanding equal access to justice and providing high quality legal assistance to low-income families, Rob Johns has announced that he will be departing from his role as Executive Director May 1, 2023. Johns will continue his service of low-income Kentuckians as he takes the helm of Legal Aid of The Bluegrass.

During his tenure, Rob has been a steadfast leader and has ushered in a period of growth and success. AppalReD Legal Aid’s budget has increased significantly alongside a growing cadre of dedicated and professional staff and attorneys.

There is much that Johns can be proud of including: growing many strong and dynamic partnerships across AppalReD’ s 37 counties, including domestic violence shelters, recovery centers, medical facilities, and local foundations; navigating the challenges of the pandemic; and launching innovative service delivery models. Project Renew connects at risk and justice involved individuals with substance use disorder to legal help to fully support their recovery. Project Renew launched in 2021 and has now expanded to include two full time attorneys and one paralegal with plans to expand. Under Johns’ leadership, the first medical legal partnership in eastern Kentucky was launched with Big Sandy Health Care.

Rob’s leadership will be greatly missed by the staff, board, and partners alike, but we look forward to continuing to work alongside him as AppalReD Legal Aid and Legal Aid of the Bluegrass continue their many years of collaboration. He will always be part of the AppalReD family!

Evan Smith, Director of Advocacy, will serve as interim executive director.

Neva Polley-Scott is assisting AppalReD Legal Aid with a search for Executive Director. The listing can be found at https://www.ardfky.org/job-opportunities or by emailing Neva at neva@polleyscott.com.

We are grateful to our broader AppalReD Legal Aid community and hope that you will help us identify candidates with visionary strategic leadership, management expertise, and a commitment to AppalReD's mission to serve as AppalReD Legal Aid's next executive director.