Pre-Licensed Assistant Public Defenders

Cook County Government; Illinois; Hybrid; USD 53,000 - 59,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, and Vision

Basic Term Life Insurance

Employee Assistance Program

Paid Holidays, Vacation, and Sick Time

Voluntary Benefits

You May Qualify for PSLF

Hybrid work environment with telecommu

Job summary

Cook County Government’s Law Office of the Public Defender seeks a Pre-Licensed Assistant Public Defender I for diverse locations. You will assist during trial preparation, conduct research, and support attorneys across all case stages while pursuing Illinois bar eligibility.

Applicants must be in the final year of a law program or hold a JD, and must obtain an Illinois license within a year. This actively recruited, at-will role offers a pathway into criminal and juvenile defense work.

Qualifications

• Must be currently enrolled in an accredited law school in the final year.
• Possession of a Juris Doctorate (JD) degree is required.
• Applicants must submit resume, cover letter, writing sample (not to exceed ten pages), and one letter of recommendation.
• Must obtain Illinois law license within one year of start date.

Responsibilities

• Assist attorneys in trial preparation by indexing records, cataloging documents, and legal research.
• Assist attorneys in trial preparation by conducting client interviews, sessions, and discovery conferences.
• Assist attorneys in trial preparation by conducting investigations, mitigation, witness preparation, and motion hearings.
• Law students holding a 711 Qualification may work in court under direct supervision of a licensed attorney.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Skills

Legal knowledge

Trial advocacy

Research and writing

Client interviewing

Communication with diverse populations

Document management

Education

Juris Doctorate (JD)

Law student in final year

Job description

Job Description - PRE-LICENSED ASSISTANT PUBLIC DEFENDER (2027) - ACTIVELY RECRUITED - VARIOUS LOCATIONS (00139641)

Job Description

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

Requisition ID

: 00139641

Job Posting

Job Posting

: Oct 16, 2026, 9:02:03 PM

Closing Date

: Nov 7, 2026, 5:59:00 AM Full-time Shift Start Time : 8:30 A.M. Shift End Time : 4:30 P.M.

Organization

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. Performavarietyofspecializedtasks.Assistin 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. Failureto obtainanIllinoislawlicensewithinone(1)yearofstartdatewillresultinterminationasaPre-Licensed Assistant Public Defender.

This position is Actively Recruited and At-Will.

TypicalJob Duties

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

Assistattorneysintrialpreparationbyconductingclientinterviewsessionsanddiscoveryconferences.

Assistattorneysintrialpreparationbyconductinginvestigations,mitigation,witnesspreparation,andmotion hearings.

Lawstudentsholdinga711QualificationunderSupremeCourtRule711mayworkincourtunderthedirect supervision of a licensed attorney.

Performsotherdutiesas assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Mustbecurrentlyenrolledinanaccreditedschooloflawinthefinalyear or

PossessionofaJurisDoctorate(JD)degree is required

Applicantsmustsubmitaresume,coverletter,writingsample,(nottoexceedten(10)pages),andoneletter 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.

Thedutieslistedarenotsetforth 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
• Employee Assistance Program
• Paid Holidays, Vacation, and Sick Time
• Voluntary Benefits
• You May Qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)
• 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 requiressuccessful 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.