February 2027 Bar Taker

This application is for law students who plan to graduate at the conclusion of the Fall 2026 semester and plan to sit for the February 2027 Bar Exam

If you are looking to devote your career to working with a nationally recognized litigation team, apply to the Cook County State's Attorney's Office as a future Assistant State's Attorney (ASA). The Office of the Cook County State's Attorney is the second largest county prosecution office in the country employing more than 700 lawyers.

The legal staff is diverse and reflective of the community it serves. CCSAO is looking for candidates with varied experience. Some factors we may consider are:

• Favorable Academic Standing (GPA of 2.5 and above) at an ABA-accredited law school
• Excellent Writing Ability
• Law School Activities- i.e. Mock Trial Competition or Moot Court, Trial Team
• Course Selections - i.e., Criminal Law, Criminal Procedure, Evidence, Trial Advocacy, Appellate Advocacy, Clinical courses, etc.
• Documented interest in public service and/or criminal law
• Highest standards of professional and personal integrity

A completed application consists of:

• Resume
• Cover letter
• Official or un-official transcript (self-prepared transcripts will not be accepted)
• One legal writing sample (not to exceed 5 pages)

Deadline to apply is September 30, 2026.

Interviews are conducted on a rolling basis through the end of the Fall 2026 semester. Written offers may not be sent out until December 2026.

Applicants must sit for and pass the MPRE and February 2027 Bar Exam to remain with the office. The start date for this role is March 2027. This is a full-time role with benefits.

The current salary for Bar Takers is $61,320. The current salary for new ASAs (after passage of the bar exam and admission to the IL Bar) is $96,608. Employment with the office is contingent on successfully passing the MPRE and February 2027 Bar Exam as well as being admitted and sworn into the Illinois Bar.

Assignments are made based upon the staffing needs of the office. Bar Takers may be assigned to suburban courthouses or a Chicago branch court outside of their commuting preferences. Applicants must be prepared to be assigned to any CCSAO location in Cook County and must arrange transportation, either by car or by public transportation, to that assignment if necessary.

The CCSAO does not provide relocation assistance.

The Cook County State's Attorney's Office does not sponsor H1-B work visa petitions.

Physical Requirements: (a) Sedentary work. Sedentary work involves lifting no more than 10 pounds at a time and occasionally lifting or carrying articles like docket files, ledgers, and small tools. Although a sedentary job is defined as one which involves sitting, a certain amount of walking and standing is often necessary in carrying out job duties. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required occasionally, and other sedentary criteria are met.

Equal Employment Opportunity: The Cook County State's Attorney's Office (CCSAO) is an equal opportunity employer, which seeks to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool. The CCSAO does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, age, physical and mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. Upon request, the CCSAO will provide reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals due to a disability or pregnancy. The EEOP report can be found on our website at www.cookcountystatesattorney.org.