Kara Jenkins (known by friends as “KJ”) has dedicated her career to bringing people together to solve some of the toughest challenges facing communities. Now, she returns to the legal field in a new leadership role as Director of Public and Community Affairs at Paul Padda Law, where she will expand the firm’s community impact initiatives and provide operational and litigation support in employment discrimination matters. Raised in diverse communities across the country, Jenkins developed an early commitment to elevating every voice. She graduated cum laude from Xavier University of Louisiana with a degree in sociology and went on to attend Loyola University New Orleans College of Law, where she was an active member of the Black Law Students Association and a recognized practitioner at Loyola’s Law Clinic in the areas of Immigration and Juvenile Justice. There, she witnessed firsthand the disparities between well-resourced and marginalized communities—an experience that shaped her lifelong commitment to equity and access to justice outside of the courtroom. After obtaining her juris doctorate degree from Loyola, she was appointed Deputy Legal Affairs Secretary to former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger where she handled a wide variety of critical legal matters for the governor’s office. After relocating to Las Vegas, Jenkins worked with Access to Healthcare Network, helping connect underserved populations—including immigrant families—to critical healthcare resources.
Her passion for public service led to her appointment by former Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval as Ombudsman, where she mediated disputes between homeowners and homeowners’ associations across Nevada. Jenkins was later appointed to Administrator of the Nevada Equal Rights Commission, overseeing statewide enforcement of anti-discrimination laws in employment, housing, and public accommodations. In this role, she managed investigative and enforcement teams and worked to resolve complex civil rights complaints. She continued her service under former Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak and contributed to statewide policy efforts as a member of the Governor’s Task Force on Sexual Harassment, led by Attorney General, now Governor-Elect Aaron Ford.
Drawing on her experience in public affairs, government service, and civil rights enforcement, Jenkins will strengthen connections between Paul Padda Law and the communities it serves, advance the firm’s government relations efforts, and support litigation focused on workplace justice and civil rights.