Pre-Licensed Assistant Public Defender (2027) - Actively Recruited - Various Locations

Job Description

PRE-LICENSED ASSISTANT PUBLIC DEFENDER (2027) - ACTIVELY RECRUITED - VARIOUS LOCATIONS

Requisition ID
:

00139641

Job Posting
:

Oct 16, 2026, 5:02:03 PM

Closing Date
:

Nov 7, 2026, 12:59:00 AM

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

Cook County Offices
Under The President
Administrative Hearings
Auditor
Bureau of Administration
Bureau of Economic Development
Bureau of Finance
Bureau of Human Resources
Bureau of Technology
Facilities
Office of 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.

*This position requires successful completion of post-offer tests, which may include a background check, drug screen and medical examination.
Falsification of any information in the application process will result in disqualification, dismissal after hire, and/or placement on the County's Ineligible for Rehire List for a period of two (2) or five (5) years. For current County employees, such falsification may result in discipline, up to and including termination, and placement on the County's Ineligible for Rehire List for a period of two (2) or five (5) years.
See
Cook County Code of Ordinances, Article II, Sections 44-54
Unlawful Practices Relating to Employees and Employment - Penalty
, 44-56
Political Discrimination
; Cook County Employment Plan, Section V.N.
Pre-Interview License and Certification Verification
; Supplemental Policy No. 2014-2.13
Ineligible for Rehire List
; and Cook County Personnel Rules 3.3(b) (7) (d)

EEO Statement
Cook County Government is an Equal Employment Opportunity ("EEO") employer. Cook County prohibits illegal discrimination and harassment and affords equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to race, color, sex, age, religion, disability, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, source of income, housing status, military service or discharge status, gender identity, genetic information, or any other protected category established by law, statute or ordinance as further defined in Chapter 44. Human Resources, Article II. Personnel Polices, Section 44-53 of the Cook County Code of Ordinances and Chapter 42. Human Relations, Article II. Human Rights, Section 42-35 of the Cook County Code of Ordinances.

NOTE: As an internal candidate, should you be offered the position, salary allocations shall abide by the Cook County Personnel Rules.

*Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship.

Social Media Disclaimer
The County's hiring process is governed by the Cook County Employment Plan which prohibits employment actions from being influenced by any Political Reasons or Factors for Non-Exempt Positions. The advertisement of this position by any individual does not constitute an offer or promise of employment, promotion, or any other employment action and shall not influence the County's hiring decision. Cook County officials and employees who become aware of or receive a complaint that involves an allegation of Political Reasons or Factors being considered in the hiring process of Non-Exempt positions are obligated to refer the complaint to the Cook County - Office of the Inspector General. If the Cook County Inspector General sustains allegations of Political Reasons or Factors being considered, Cook County will disqualify the Applicant or Candidate from consideration for employment and disciplinary action will be imposed on any involved Cook County employees, if applicable.

Please contact
BHR.WorkforceStrategy@cookcountyil.gov
for inquiries about this position

Minimum Qualifications

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

Requirements

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