Assistant State�s Attorney, Post-Conviction Unit

Cook County State's Attorney Office • Chicago, IL

9d • Onsite

About The Position

The Criminal Prosecutions Bureau of the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office is seeking an experienced Assistant State’s Attorneys at a 2nd chair or higher level to litigate post-conviction matters assigned to courthouses through Cook County. This is a full-time bargaining unit exempt position. The Assistant State’s Attorney will manage a case load of felony criminal and civil matters seeking collateral relief from criminal convictions and sentences imposed by the trial court. The ASA will conduct appropriate investigations, file written pleadings, present oral arguments, and conduct evidentiary hearings under the guidance of the Post Conviction Unit Supervisor and senior post-conviction ASAs. The ASA will directly report to the Deputy Supervisor of the Post-Conviction Unit.

Requirements

• Possess a J.D. degree from an accredited law school.
• Felony Second Chair or higher equivalent experience.
• Significant criminal trial or civil litigation experience.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent legal writing ability.
• Strong work ethic, accountability, and sound judgement.
• Uphold the mission and values of the CCSAO at all times and support fellow ASA in doing the same.

Nice To Haves

• Prior post-conviction litigation experience is preferred but not required.
• Prior experience as a Trial Supervisor in the Felony Review Unit.

Responsibilities

• Investigate constitutional claims such as actual innocence, ineffective assistance of counsel, police misconduct, and prosecutorial misconduct.
• Review collateral claims of constitutional violations in criminal prosecutions including due process/actual innocence, ineffective assistance of trial and appellate counsel, police misconduct, juvenile sentencing, and discovery violations to determine whether claims have substantive merit.
• Investigate allegations by working with investigators to interview potential witnesses, contacting former defense attorneys and prosecutors, locating surviving victims and/or family members of deceased victims and keeping them informed of court proceedings.
• Research legal issues and draft motions to dismiss, answers, and other relevant legal pleadings.
• Present oral arguments to the trial court as well as collaborate with courtroom ASAs and ASAs in other Bureaus in preparing and presenting evidence at evidentiary hearings.
• Be an effective advocate and emissary of the mission, vision and values of the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office both with ASAs as well as criminal justice stakeholders and partners.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision plans.
• Robust Paid Time Off (PTO) program, including vacation, personal, and sick leave.
• 13 paid holidays.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program eligibility.
• Employee Assistance Program for confidential counseling and referral services.
• Pension plan through Cook County.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level