From Interns to Attorneys: Two Kane County Law Interns Take the Oath and Join the State’s Attorney’s Office

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Two bright legal minds who began their journeys as interns in the Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office (SAO) will soon take the next step in their careers, this time as licensed attorneys serving the same office where they got their start.

On November 5, Holly Kruckenberg and Amelia O’Neal will be sworn into the Illinois Bar at an admission ceremony that also marks their first official court appearance as attorneys. Both began as Illinois Supreme Court​ Rule 711 interns, gaining real courtroom experience under the supervision of veteran Assistant State’s Attorneys. It's a  program designed to prepare future prosecutors for the challenges and rewards of public service.

“Our intern program which employs these 711 law students is an essential part of how we train the next generation of attorneys,” said State’s Attorney Jamie Mosser. “We’re proud to give law students the opportunity to develop practical skills, gain courtroom experience, and see firsthand the importance of public service. It’s incredibly rewarding to watch these interns grow into capable young lawyers, and we’re thrilled that two of them have now passed the bar and will be joining our office as Assistant State’s Attorneys.”

Holly Kruckenberg, a 2025 graduate of Northern Illinois University College of Law, served as a 711 intern in the SAO for two and a half years. Now assigned to the Kane Branch Court, she handles traffic and criminal misdemeanor cases. One of her proudest moments was securing a jury trial conviction for Battery after the jury deliberated for less than 15 minutes.

“I chose to stay at the SAO to ensure justice remains fair, fearless, and for everyone,” Kruckenberg said. “I believe in a justice system that protects the vulnerable, holds offenders accountable, and preserves the rule of law for all.”

Amelia O’Neal, who graduated summa cum laude from NIU College of Law and served as President of the Juvenile and Family Law Association, has been with the SAO since 2023. She currently serves in the Elgin Branch Court, where she handles traffic and general misdemeanors.

For O’Neal, mentorship has been the highlight of her experience. “I’m extremely grateful for the seasoned ASAs who have taken me under their wing,” she said. 

O’Neal said she was drawn to State’s Attorney Mosser’s emphasis on rehabilitation over retribution. “That philosophy reflects the kind of prosecutor I want to be, firm but fair, focused on outcomes that build safer communities.”

Both Kruckenberg and O’Neal highlight the success of the Kane County State’s Attorney’s 711 Program, which continues to open doors for aspiring attorneys committed to public service.

To learn more about internship and 711 opportunities with the Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office, visit sao.kanecountyil.gov/Pages/EmploymentInternships.aspx.