Attorney III, Court Services

Overview

The South Carolina Judicial Branch (SCJB) is seeking a highly experienced Attorney III to join the Office of Court Services. With limited supervision, provides high-level legal services from the perspective of an experienced court practitioner to the circuit, family, probate, and master-in-equity courts and the SCJB staff supporting them.

• Independently provides accurate, substantive legal advice on complex legal issues to SCJB staff; to circuit, family, probate, and master-in-equity court judges and their law clerks; and to clerks of court. Performs thorough legal research using Westlaw and other legal research tools. Drafts administrative orders for various courts. Communicates legal conclusions clearly and accurately to various stakeholders via memo, email, telephone, or in-person.
• Stays abreast of appellate court rulings and state legislation, and as needed prepares and/or reviews memoranda advising judges and clerks of relevant changes in the law. Prepares and/or reviews yearly legislative memoranda for judges and clerks.
• Creates, revises, and retires CDR codes and NOA codes as necessitated by changes to the law.
• Reviews and updates circuit, family, probate and master-in-equity court forms as necessary to reflect changes in the law. Identifies forms that require translation into additional languages and coordinates that process.
• Assists Director and Deputy Director in implementation of statewide court initiatives such as Common Pleas and Family Court E-filing, the case and jury management systems, and other IT focused initiatives as requested.
• Reviews and updates the clerk of court manual as necessary to reflect changes in the law.
• Attends Advisory Committee meetings for judges and clerks, and external stakeholder meetings on behalf of State Court Administrator and Court Services Director as needed.
• Performs all other duties as assigned.

• A Juris Doctorate degree or its equivalent from an American Bar Association (ABA) accredited school of law and at least seven years of experience as a practicing attorney.
• An active member of the South Carolina Bar in good standing.
• Knowledge of case, statutory, and common law of South Carolina.
• Knowledge of the operation, rules, and policies of the South Carolina court system, particularly the trial courts.
• Working knowledge of Westlaw/Lexis, the South Carolina Legislature website, and other State websites.
• Ability to interpret and apply judicial decisions, statutes and regulations, administrative orders of the Supreme Court of South Carolina, and Attorney General Opinions to complex matters.
• Ability to express conclusions and arguments clearly and logically.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, along with the ability to make presentations.
• Requires strong writing skills.
• Demonstration of a strong, consistent, dependable work ethic. Must be detail-oriented and possess excellent time management skills.
• Ability to work independently in meeting deadlines. Experience, education, or demonstrated skill in providing public information.
• Intermediate knowledge and experience with Word and Excel.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and must be able to understand complex information and communicate the information to people with diverse professional backgrounds.

• Trial experience in Circuit, Family, and/or Master-in-Equity Courts, experience using Westlaw/Lexis, South Carolina Legislature website, Microsoft Word, and intermediate level Excel skills/courses/certifications preferred.

• Health, Dental, Vision, Long Term Disability, and Life Insurance for Employee, Spouse, and Children.
• State Retirement Plan and Deferred Compensation Programs (Temporary positions have option to enroll).
• 15 days paid annual (vacation) leave per year.
• 15 days paid sick leave per year.
• Option to designate 10 days of earned paid sick leave per year as family sick leave.
• 13 paid state holidays.
• Workers’ Compensation Benefits.