Pre-Licensed Assistant Public Defender

Title :  Pre-Licensed Assistant Public Defender

Requisition ID:  00139641

Full-time 

 Shift Start Time:  8:30 A.M.   

Shift End Time:  4:30 P.M.

  Posting Salary:  $53,150 - $58,721 /Yearly

Organization:  Offices Under the President 

  

                  

Job Summary

The Law Office of the Public Defender provides law students and recent law school graduates the opportunity to receive training, learn more about the criminal and juvenile justice systems, and become an Assistant Public Defender I by working as a Pre-Licensed Assistant Public Defender.  Perform a variety of specialized tasks. Assist in all stages of case preparation and presentation. Responsible for researching, writing and investigating legal matters.

Must obtain an Illinois law license within one (1) year of start date as a Pre-Licensed Assistant Public Defender. Failure to obtain an Illinois law license within one (1) year of start date will result in termination as a Pre-Licensed Assistant Public Defender.

 

This position is Actively Recruited and At-Will.

 

Typical Job Duties

• Assist attorneys in trial preparation by indexing records, cataloging documents, and legal research. 

• Assist attorneys in trial preparation by conducting client interview sessions and discovery conferences.

• Assist attorneys in trial preparation by conducting investigations, mitigation, witness preparation, and motion hearings.

• Law students holding a 711 Qualification under Supreme Court Rule 711 may work in court under the direct supervision of a licensed attorney.

 

Required for all jobs:

Performs other duties as assigned.

 

Minimum Qualifications

• Must be currently enrolled in an accredited school of law in the final year  or

• Possession of a Juris Doctorate (JD) degree is required

• Applicants must submit a resume, cover letter, writing sample, (not to exceed ten (10) pages), and one letter of recommendation is required.

Candidates who are contacted will be required to produce original required documents (e.g., current driver’s license, diploma, school transcript, certifications, etc.) listed on the Notice of Job Opportunity within five (5) days of being extended an offer, in writing, by the Bureau Chief of BHR (or designee). Candidates will be notified of how to submit required documents. 

The duties listed are not set forth for purposes of limiting the assignment of work. They are not to be construed as a complete list of the many duties normally to be performed under a job title or those to be performed temporarily outside an employee’s normal line of work.

*Degrees awarded outside of the United States with the exception of those awarded in one of the United States territories and Canada, must be credentialed by the World Education Services (WES), Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE) or a National Association of Credential Evaluation (NACES) member organization. 

 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

• Knowledge of basic legal principles, concepts and vernacular.
• Ability to effectively communicate and interact with diverse cultures and low income persons in consultations, interviews and investigations
• Ability to conduct excellent trial advocacy work, interviews and investigations.
• Ability to consult with social workers, probation officers, medical experts, legal associates and others to assess the options available to the defense and to advise clients of the same.
• Legal knowledge equivalent to those of a third or fourth year law student, including, not limited to, course work in criminal procedure, trial advocacy, and evidence.
• Ability to effectively communicate to both clients and attorneys (and in some cases, judges/juries). Ability to clearly articulate through written documents concise analysis of assigned case material. Possess excellent writing skills and demonstrate ability to clearly articulate issues and analysis in writing. 

 

Group and Voluntary Benefits Offered:

· Medical, Dental, and Vision

· Basic Term Life Insurance

· Pension Plan

· Deferred Compensation Program

· Employee Assistance Program

· Paid Holidays, Vacation, and Sick Time

· Voluntary Benefits

· You May Qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)

· For further information on our excellent benefits package, please click on the following link: http://www.cookcountyrisk.com/

· For eligible employees the County has a hybrid work environment which allows employees telecommuting and flexible scheduling options.

 

SALARY RANGE: $53,150 - $58,721 /Yearly

The County has a hybrid work environment which allows employees telecommuting and flexible scheduling options.