Office of the
Illinois Attorney General
Kwame Raoul

The Criminal Appeals Division represents the People in criminal and quasi-criminal matters at all levels of the state and federal court systems.  We are the sole office responsible for briefing and arguing criminal cases before the Illinois Supreme Court. We regularly brief and argue habeas corpus cases in the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit after defending those cases in federal district court. Our practice also includes filings before the United States Supreme Court; briefing and arguing cases before the Illinois Appellate Court; defending the constitutionality of criminal statutes at the circuit court level throughout Illinois; and drafting and reviewing legislative proposals related to criminal law. Our cases typically involve constitutional or statutory construction issues and can present matters of first impression. Assistants are encouraged to collaborate to deepen their understanding of Illinois criminal law and ensure its principled application and development.  The Division cultivates a collegial environment where attorneys are encouraged to discuss their cases and share ideas. All attorneys are assigned a mentor and have access to free, in-house continuing legal education programs.

Responsibilities:   

Attorneys enjoy considerable autonomy in briefing cases under the guidance of supervising attorneys and participate in moot courts to prepare for oral arguments. New hires can expect to present an oral argument within one year.

Qualifications:        

The ideal candidate will have an interest in criminal and constitutional law and strong research and writing skills.  At least two years of experience is preferred.  Candidates must be licensed in Illinois at the time of application.

Salary:                      

Salaries are commensurate with the number of years of practice as a licensed attorney and start at $76,008.