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. List of State Appellate Defender offices.

The Office of the State Appellate Defender is a state agency that represents indigent defendants in criminal appeals. The 1st District (Chicago) Office covers cases from Cook County and we are the agency's largest office with over 90 attorneys and 20 support staff. We offer excellent benefits and we are an Equal Opportunity Employer.

The Office of the State Appellate Defender has an opening for a Legal Secretary with the Chicago office (1st District) with a start date of September 1, 2025.

The Office of the State Appellate Defender is committed to a culture of diversity and inclusion, while providing a congenial atmosphere, competitive compensation package and an excellent benefit plan. Details of benefits can be found at https://cms.illinois.gov/benefits/stateemployee.html

The Office of the State Appellate Defender is a state agency created by the State Appellate Defender Act (725 ILCS 105/1 et seq.). 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. To provide for this legal representation, the State Appellate Defender has district offices in each of the five appellate court districts of Illinois (Chicago, Elgin, Ottawa, Springfield and Mt. Vernon).

The Office of the State Appellate Defender (OSAD) is nationally recognized for excellence in providing indigent criminal services. The American Bar Association and the National Legal Aid and Defender Association honored OSAD as an outstanding Public Defender office in the nation.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION/JOB SUMMARY:

Under the general leadership of the Office Administrator, the Legal Secretary provides essential administrative support to attorneys and helps ensure the office's efficient operation. The Legal Secretary performs various administrative and legal tasks, as well as reception and clerical duties, to support legal professionals and is also responsible for day-to-day tasks as directed by the Office Administrator.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

· Work in alignment with OSAD’s values to support the Office Administrator in fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

· Draft, format, and proofread legal documents, including motions, briefs, memos, Points & Authorities, indexing, and correspondence.

· Ensure proper documentation of case files, including electronic and physical records, and import files into a document storage system and electronic brief bank.

· Coordinate and arrange client communications for attorneys as needed.

· Handle phone calls, emails, and correspondence, promptly responding and relaying messages.

· Prepare and file letters of intent, appeals, and other legal documents with courts and relevant agencies, ensuring compliance with court rules and deadlines.

· Monitor and manage case deadlines, including generating status reports.

· Greet and assist clients, visitors, and others professionally.

· Perform additional clerical tasks, such as processing incoming and outgoing communications, copying, filing, scanning, faxing, merging, and data entry.

· Handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion and integrity.

· Ensure adherence to organizational policies and procedures.

· Fulfill any other necessary tasks and duties as required.

EDUCATION, KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

· High school diploma or equivalent; Associate’s degree in legal studies, business administration, or a related field is preferred.

· Two years of experience as a legal secretary or in a similar administrative role within a legal setting.

· Demonstrates a high level of attention to detail and accuracy in completing tasks.

· Commitment to providing exceptional support to attorneys.

· Excellent organizational and time-management abilities.

· Takes initiative and anticipates needs.

· Ability to work independently on multiple projects.

· Analytical, critical thinking, interpersonal, and collaborative skills.

· Strong written and verbal communication skills.

· Adaptable, flexible, and responsive to changing needs.

The Office of the State Appellate Defender is committed to enhancing our diverse work environment and is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer. OSAD does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, age, disability, parental status, veteran status, or any other background to apply.

The starting salary is between $49,450.00 - $59,850.00, depending on the candidate’s relevant experience.

If you think this job is for you: Submit Cover Letter and Resume no later than July 31, 2025 at 4:30 PM to Osadhr@osad.state.il.us. Your cover letter should tell us why we should consider you for employment with our agency. Resumes without a cover letter will not be considered.

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