Job Details

Job Title	Public Defender
Job Title Note	Will County Public Defender
Job Summary	Under administrative direction from the Chief Judge of the Twelfth Judicial Circuit; performs work of considerable difficulty in planning, organizing, supervising and administering the activities of the Will County Public Defender's Office; performs all related work as required. Performs professional legal work with the responsibility for all phases of the activities conducted by the Will County Public Defender's Office. Assigns cases of indigent persons accused of crimes as designated by the Judge to the Deputy Public Defenders and supervises their handling of the cases to ascertain that the Will County Public Defender's Office does everything possible to defend the accused competently within the rules of law and legal ethics. • Administers the activities of the Public Defender's Office • Interviews, selects, and recommends hires and promotions, directs and evaluates employment decisions for all assigned positions • Schedules employees' work assignments • Trains subordinate staff • Prepares office budget and operates within the budget • Serves on various commissions and committees • Determines office operating policy • Prepares reports for the Court and County as required by state law • Meets with and cooperates with local colleges and universities in their internship/externship programs • Supervises an ongoing program of disseminating information on the latest decisions of the Appellate and Supreme Courts • On occasion representing clients including preliminary hearings and bond court matters • Keeps abreast of developments in the field of criminal law • Maintains regular attendance and punctuality • Maintains 24/7 availability to respond to emergencies, exercises and other related activities. • Performs related duties as required or assigned within job classification Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions
Minimum Qualifications	Graduation from an approved School of Law, and ten years’ experience in professional legal work including three years’ experience in an administrative or supervisory capacity; or, an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above. Current license to practice law in the State of Illinois. Candidates must possess and maintain in good standing, a valid Illinois driver’s license. Candidates must also demonstrate knowledge and skill in the application of legal principles to individual cases or problems, the principles, methods, materials and practices of legal research, judicial procedures and the rules of evidence, the methods and practices of pleading cases and of effective techniques in the presentation of cases in court, federal and state laws, regulations and County ordinances. Candidates must demonstrate effective supervisory techniques and practices, and be familiar with office management principles and practices, management and leadership principles, County policies and procedures, applicable federal, state, and local laws, rules, regulations, codes, and/or statutes. A successful candidate should also show a proficiency at analyzing and appraising facts, evidence, precedents, and legal documents in complex and difficult cases, organizing legal materials in clear and logical form for effective verbal or written presentation, planning, scheduling, assigning, reviewing, and supervising the work of subordinate attorneys, and clerical and investigative personnel. The successful candidate should demonstrate skills at using computer hardware and software including word processing, spreadsheets, databases, email, etc., applying an acquired knowledge of procedures, rules, regulations, and services of office to which assigned. Finally, the candidate should be proficient at establishing and maintaining effective working relationships within the department and with division staff, and with other departments in addition to being able to analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions, and implement recommendations in support of goals, while providing leadership.
Salary Range	Set by statute pursuant to 55 ILCS 5/3-4007 https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/fulltext?DocName=005500050K3-4007 Salary will be at least 90% of the Will County’s State’s Attorney’s salary.
Apply To	Office of the Chief Judge Twelfth Judicial Circuit 100 West Jefferson St., 10th Floor Joliet, IL 62704 rholland@il12thcourt.gov Fax: (815) 727-8817 Attn: Roger Holland
Apply by	June 1, 2026, by 4:30pm
	Apply for this job
Disclaimer	*Completed Will County Employment Application or Resume with cover letter may be submitted by mail, fax or hand delivered. Only interviewed applicants will be notified of the selection process. Equal Opportunity Employer

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