Persons interested in applying for employment with the Office of the State Appellate Defender should submit a resume and cover letter to the appropriate office as shown below.
3rd District Ottawa
4th District Springfield
POSITION: Assistant Appellate Defender for all Offices
STATUS: Full-time, Hybrid Work Schedule
The Office of the State Appellate Defender is a state agency created by the State Appellate Defender Act (725 Illinois Compiled Statutes, Act 105). The principal function of the Office of the State Appellate Defender is to represent indigent persons on appeal in criminal cases when appointed by the Illinois Supreme Court, the Appellate Court or the Circuit Court.
The Office of the State Appellate Defender is nationally recognized for excellence in providing indigent criminal services. It is the policy of the Office of the State Appellate Defender that services shall not be denied due to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, or disability.
The Office of the State Appellate Defender seeks mission-driven Assistant Appellate Defenders for Ottawa (3rd District), and Springfield (4th District).
Duties, Responsibilities, Skills, and Credentials:
• Assistant Appellate Defenders provide criminal appellate representation to indigent clients in the Illinois Appellate Court and Illinois Supreme Court.
• Responsibilities include reading records, conducting research, drafting briefs and other documents, and presenting oral arguments.
• We seek attorneys with exceptional written and oral advocacy skills who bring creativity and passion to the defense of their clients.
• Criminal defense experience is a plus but not a necessity.
• Candidates should have graduated from an ABA-accredited law school and be licensed in Illinois or be able to obtain an Illinois license.
• Must enjoy doing research and writing, and working in a collaborative environment.
The Office of the State Appellate Defender is committed to a culture of diversity and inclusion while providing a congenial atmosphere, a competitive compensation package, and an excellent benefits plan.
The successful candidate may be eligible to receive loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
Start date: September 1st, 2024, November 1st 2024, and February 1st, 2025 for all Districts.
Starting salary is a minimum of $70,000, based on experience, with excellent benefits, including health, dental, vision, and life insurance.
Please submit a resume and cover letter to 3rdDistrict@osad.state.il.us4thDistrict@osad.state.il.us.
