Assistant State's Attorney - Law Enforcement Review Unit (LERU)

We are the Cook County State's Attorney's Office (CCSAO), a diverse and dedicated team of professionals committed to justice and safety for over five million residents. As the second-largest prosecutor's office in the U.S., the CCSAO prosecutes criminal and regulatory violations across six bureaus and four units with a staff of over 1,200.

About the role

The Law Enforcement Accountability Division (LERU) is seeking an Assistant State’s Attorney. The Assistant State’s Attorneys in LERU are responsible for reviewing allegations of on-duty misconduct by law enforcement officers throughout Cook County to determine whether criminal prosecution is appropriate. LERU reviews all officer-involved shootings and deaths that occur in police custody, as well as allegations of excessive force, official misconduct, perjury, bribery, theft, obstructing justice, aggravated/reckless discharge of a firearm, and sex offenses. LERU vertically prosecutes all cases resulting in criminal charges and presents evidence and witness testimony before the grand jury. This is a full-time bargaining unit exempt position.

Assistant State’s Attorneys assigned to LERU report directly to the Supervisor of LERU. LERU falls under the First Assistant State’s Attorney, and their cases are then reported directly to the State’s Attorney.

Responsibilities

• Draft internal memoranda summarizing investigations and supporting charging and declination recommendations.
• Work with a variety of investigative partners including the Chicago Police Department, Civilian Office of Police Accountability, Illinois State Police Public Integrity Task Force, Cook County Sheriff’s Police, and Federal Bureau of Investigation.
• Serve on-call for one week every eight weeks to respond to calls concerning officer-involved shootings, which may require responding to police stations to interview witnesses and assist with other aspects of the investigation.
• Commit to remaining in the position for a minimum of two years due to the specialized nature of LERU’s work and the time needed to properly train new members.

Requirements

• Must possess a law degree from an accredited institution and be licensed in Illinois with a minimum of three years of experience. If not licensed in Illinois, confirm what steps are being taken to become licensed.
• Strong research, writing, and oral advocacy skills.
• Willingness to become familiar with Title III, Confidential Overhears, and requirements for obtaining search warrants, particularly for cellular phone data and social media.
• Strong organizational skills with great attention to detail.
• Excellent communication skills, interpersonal skills, and ability to promote team building and be a self-starter.
• Sound judgment, critical thinking, analytical, and effective time management skills.
• Must uphold the mission, vision, and values of the Office at all times.
• Commitment to applying a vertical prosecution model including long-term investigations and complex trials with multiple crimes and defendants.
• Willingness to be vetted for assignment as a Special United States Attorney and willingness to partner closely with local and Federal law enforcement and Federal prosecutors.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior criminal law trial experience (a plus but not required).
• Litigation experience.
• Legal writing experience.
• Felony Review line ASA experience.

Pay

Salary range: $114,879 - $146,970. Salary range is provided by law; however, individual compensation is based on various factors unique to each candidate, including skill set, years, and quality of experience. Any salary offered is non-negotiable.

Benefits

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

Relocation assistance is not provided.