Closing Date: 1st June, 2024

Description:

A Government Entity Public Defender's Office currently has an opening for a licensed defense attorney. Applicants who apply with a law license and several years' experience will be given interview and hiring preference. However, we welcome and will consider applications from recent grads who are waiting to take the bar exam, 711 licensed law students or third-year law students with the understanding that those with a license and experience will be given preference. The entry level job description is detailed below.

Position Summary:
Under supervision, perform a variety of professional, public defense legal work, applying professional legal principles and practices to a variety of legal assignments in an assigned operational area. Work is performed at the full performance level with considerable professional independence, discretion, judgement, and latitude in researching, preparing, and routinely defending indigent individuals in court on traffic or DUI charges.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Work involves the use of significant writing, analytical, and communications skills. Assignments may involve planning, overseeing, and directing the activities of legal office support or para-professional, as needed. Work is reviewed by a professional supervisor or the Public Defender through conferences, and results obtained.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Some knowledge of the principle and practices of the law, applicable to the position.
Some knowledge of court procedures and trial techniques, and rules of evidence.
Some knowledge of the methodology of legal research.
Skill in effective listening and communicating, problem solving, and teamwork.
Ability to analyze complex factual situations and to organize, interpret, and apply legal principles to them.
Ability to conduct legal research, prepare appropriate legal documents, and try court cases.
Ability to plan and schedule work in a manner conducive to full performance of the assigned work of the position.
Ability to empathize and work with indigent clients.
Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions and to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, county officials, legal colleagues, and the public.

Required Qualifications:
Graduation from an accredited law school; and some experience (0-1 year) in preparing and trying a variety of cases before the courts; or any equivalent combination of education and experience that would provide the above noted knowledge, skills and abilities.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:
Licensed to practice law in the State of Illinois.