The Office of the State Appellate Defender (OSAD) is establishing a panel program to use private attorneys licensed in Illinois to represent clients in appeals under the Pre-Trial Fairness Act (PFA). Appeals will typically challenge the trial court's decision to either detain a defendant before trial or to impose conditions of pre-trial release. Contract attorneys will be responsible for reading the record on appeal and filing a memorandum in the appellate court making any necessary arguments on behalf of the client. OSAD will remain counsel of record and will provide guidance and clerical support in preparing and filing these appeals. Compensation will be $1000.00 per case. If the appellate court requests oral argument, which we expect will be very rare, additional compensation on an hourly basis will be available. Minority law firms are strongly encouraged to apply. If you are interested in participating in the panel program and would like further information, please email your contact information to
PFAPanelAttorneys@osad.state.il.us.