James E. Chadd was appointed director of the Office of the State Appellate Defender in January 2018. Mr. Chadd received a Bachelor of Arts degree in History and English Literature from the University of Oregon and a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Illinois College of Law. Mr. Chadd has spent his entire legal career with the Office of the State Appellate Defender, beginning as an Assistant Appellate Defender in Springfield in 1984. Mr. Chadd moved to the Chicago office in 1989, became a Supervisor in 2002, an Assistant Deputy in 2010, and the Deputy State Appellate Defender in 2014. In 2011, Mr. Chadd received the James B. Haddad Award, in recognition of a career marked by extraordinary legal work and dedication to representing indigent clients.