Our Team

Emily Hartz has served as Executive Director for the Kansas Lawyers Assistance Program since May 2024. Prior to her appointment, Emily joined Sloan Law Firm in an Of Counsel position in 2010.

A native of Illinois, Emily has a wealth of experience as a practitioner, having worked for the Shawnee County District Attorney’s office prosecuting domestic violence cases during her last year of law school and, upon graduation, having opened a law office focusing on general trial practice, namely family, criminal and juvenile law. Emily also has experience as national trial counsel defending personal injury and toxic tort cases in a variety of jurisdictions throughout the country. Emily left Sloan Law firm in January 2021 to serve in the Douglas County District Attorney’s Office, developing a new special victims’ unit for survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence. Emily returned to Sloan Law Firm in October 2021 and focused her practice in the areas of domestic relations, mediation, conciliation, civil mediation, juvenile law, criminal defense, guardianships, wills, and small estates. Emily is a trained Guardian Ad Litem practicing in both juvenile and domestic courts. She is also a Supreme Court approved civil mediator and a Supreme Court approved domestic relations mediator as well as a domestic relations conciliator for high conflict domestic cases.

Emily is a member of the Kansas Bar Association, the Kansas Women’s Attorney’s Association, the American Bar Association, and the National Association of Counsel for Children.  She also served on the Board of the Kansas Lawyers Assistance Program from 2019 to 2023 and served as a KALAP volunteer since 2008.

Brynn Mroz is the Program Director for the Kansas Lawyers Assistance Program. Brynn handles many of the client referrals for assessment, treatment, therapy, and other assistive resources. Brynn not only brings her knowledge and experience to working directly with clients, but also the compassion and dedication necessary to help Kansas lawyers in the time of need. She spends countless hours working directly one-on-one with KALAP’s clients and volunteers to ensure each client’s needs are being met.

Born and raised in Topeka, Kansas, Brynn began working with attorneys in college at her father’s law office. After graduating from Washburn University with a BA in 1992, she moved to Iowa and then to Colorado where she lived for many years. Like the old saying goes, “there is no place like home”, so Brynn followed her calling back to Kansas to be closer to her family. Her sons Jayce and Tate, her husband Kelly, Millie the dog and Lambo the cat are her pride and joy. As a board member for the Heartland Regional Alcohol and Drug Assessment Center (HRADAC) and Rainbow Services Inc. (RSI), Brynn furthers her passion for working with the community and legal professionals.

Ellen Bayless has a unique background with a mix of government and private sector employment. She spent 16 years as the City Clerk in Harveyville, Kansas. Prior to joining the KALAP team, she also worked in the Kansas Appellate Clerk’s office. She has gained considerable skills and knowledge that has quickly become an asset to the Kansas Lawyers Assistance Program.  When you call KALAP, Ellen is the first person you talk with. She takes great care and pride in being the one to ensure each caller gets the assistance they need.

Ellen grew up in rural Osage County and raised her family not far from there in Wabaunsee County. She has 3 adult sons; the oldest Josh who works construction with his father locally, Jack who works I.T. Forensics in Overland Park, Kansas and Jared is a sous chef at a signature restaurant in Disney, Orlando, Florida.  She currently enjoys living with her 17 year-old daughter Jasmine, her 14 year-old son Scottie and Dolly, her beloved one year old Lab Mix-Rescue. Ellen spends countless hours in the kitchen each year. Canning season in the fall is one of her favorites. One of Ellen’s favorite past-times is traveling. She is always up for an adventure, anything from a road trip to a cruise to hiking the Yukon.