Criminal Prosecutions Bureau of the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office Announces the Reopening of Request for Qualifications for Special Assistant State’s Attorneys
CHICAGO - The Criminal Prosecutions Bureau of the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office (CCSAO) is reopening the Request for Qualifications (RFQ) process for legal professionals interested in serving as Special Assistant State’s Attorneys to represent the People of Cook County in Criminal appellate matters pending in the Criminal Appeals Division.
This RFQ was previously open between November 2, 2023, and December 22, 2023.
The Cook County Criminal Prosecutions Bureau seeks to establish pre-qualified pools of outside counsel to provide additional resources when specific needs arise. Qualified individuals or firms with a wealth of experience in criminal law, criminal procedure, and appellate advocacy are invited to submit their qualifications.
"Cook County's commitment to upholding justice and ensuring fair representation in criminal appellate matters is unwavering. Through the Request for Qualifications process, we are seeking dedicated legal partners who share our values and possess the expertise necessary to serve as Special Assistant State’s Attorneys,” said State’s Attorney Kim Foxx. “Together, we will continue our mission of advocating for the residents of Cook County and fostering a diverse and equitable legal community."
As the second largest prosecutor’s office in the United States and the largest in Illinois, the CCSAO is responsible for prosecuting all criminal cases in Cook County, a jurisdiction with a population of over five million people. In 2021, the CCSAO handled a significant caseload, including over 22,000 new felony cases and more than 62,000 misdemeanor and DUI cases, as well as various civil cases involving juvenile abuse and neglect, delinquency, and mental health cases in the Circuit Court of Cook County. The Criminal Appeals Division of the CCSAO also represents Cook County residents in the Illinois Appellate Court in cases where defendants appeal their convictions or other adverse final judgments.
Expertise Requested: The Criminal Prosecutions Bureau is seeking qualified individuals with expertise in the following areas:
- Criminal Appellate Advocacy
- Criminal Prosecution – Trial/Post-Conviction Litigation
Proposal Requirements: Qualified individuals or firms interested in submitting qualifications should provide comprehensive information under various headings. These include detailing relevant experience, examples of prior matters, proposed approaches, hourly rates, references, professional liability insurance, conflicts of interest, professional responsibility/violations of law, diversity initiatives, and more. The CCSAO is dedicated to promoting diversity and encourages minority, veteran, and women-owned firms to participate. All forms and details must be completed and included in the final submission in order to be considered.
Selection Process: A Selection Panel comprising Criminal Prosecutions Bureau attorneys and CCSAO Executive Staff will meticulously review and evaluate each submission. Finalists may be selected for interviews with CCSAO representatives. Pre-qualified pools of outside counsel will be established in the identified practice areas, and counsel will be selected from these pools based on factors such as case backlog, complexity, and past performance.
Other Information: Participation in the RFQ process does not guarantee appointment or commitment to specific billing structures. The CCSAO retains the authority to select outside counsel as needed, and participation in the RFQ process does not bind outside counsel to conduct work at any predetermined rate.
Proposal Submission: Those interested should submit completed forms and qualifications electronically by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, February 16, 2024, to sao.submissions@cookcountysao.org.
Submissions should be in searchable PDF format and should indicate the relevant areas of expertise. For more information, please visit our website.
As the nation's second-largest prosecutor's office, the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office (CCSAO) continues to set groundbreaking precedents under the leadership of Cook County’s first Black woman State’s Attorney, Kim Foxx. Upholding her vision of administering justice to promote thriving, healthy, and safe communities across Cook County for individuals of every race, income, or zip code, State’s Attorney Foxx has been a beacon for a more equitable criminal justice system. Under her leadership, the Office has overturned nearly 250 wrongful convictions and expunged over 15,000 cannabis convictions following its legalization in Illinois. Foxx’s innovative strategies to disrupt cycles of violence and crime and her efforts to transform a system historically steeped in systemic racism have earned her wide recognition as one of the most forward-thinking prosecutors in the country. Stay updated with her initiatives and achievements by following @SAKimFoxx on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook and @CookCountySAO on Twitter and Facebook.