Assistant Attorney General (Attorney II) - Tobacco

State of South Carolina; Columbia (SC); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PSLF eligibility

Paid parental leave

Insurance package - health, dental,  /

Vacation leave

Sick leave

Holidays

Retirement plan

Deferred compensation

Job summary

State of South Carolina, Tobacco Division of the Attorney General's Office, seeks an Assistant Attorney General to enforce Tobacco Law. You will work with SLED, DOR auditors and multi-agency teams, travel for conferences, and participate in multistate calls.

Requirements include a Juris Doctorate and active SC Bar membership. Overnight travel may be required; background checks are mandatory, with strong emphasis on legal research and written advocacy.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctorate required and must be admitted to the SC Bar.
• Knowledge of South Carolina law and court procedures.
• Ability to interpret and apply laws and prepare formal legal documents.

Responsibilities

• Research and answer questions regarding Tobacco Law for the State and officials.
• Review and approve or deny annual certifications for the SC Tobacco Directory.
• Analyze escrow accounts and enforce compliance with SC statute through litigation if needed.
• Draft correspondence to financial institutions, state agencies, and counsel for tobacco manufacturers.
• Maintain a detailed spreadsheet tracking statewide cigarette sales and related audits.

Skills

Legal research

Legal writing

SC law knowledge

Education

Juris Doctorate Degree

Job description

Come join the Tobacco Division of the South Carolina Attorney General's Office! The Tobacco Division has brought more than $2 billion into the State over the past 25 years through diligent enforcement of the Master Settlement Agreement (MSA).

Created in 1998, the MSA resolved litigation between the Attorneys General of 46 States and 6 U.S. Territories and the major tobacco companies. In exchange for dismissal of those lawsuits, the companies agreed to make annual payments to the States according to a defined algorithm. The settlement obligations, as well as the responsibilities placed on the Settling States, continue in perpetuity. The Tobacco Division enforces those duties under South Carolina's qualifying statute (S.C. Code Ann. § 11-48-30 et seq.) to ensure the State receives its full annual payment.

As a member of our team, you will gain experience in both state and federal tobacco regulation. You will collaborate with South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) agents, Department of Revenue (DOR) auditors, and other partners through multi-agency task force meetings.

This position also includes travel to conferences across the country and participation in multistate calls and working groups with other attorneys general and NAAG counsel. The MSA spans 46 states and 7 territories and involves international corporations generating more than $30 billion annually; therefore, broad collaboration and networking among the states are essential.

• Research and answer questions regarding Tobacco Law on behalf of the State, its subdivisions, and officials as an Assistant Attorney General in the Tobacco Unit of the Civil Division.
• Review, evaluate, and approve or deny annual certifications to the South Carolina Tobacco Directory; certification is required of every cigarette brand sold in South Carolina.
• Analyze escrow accounts of Tobacco Manufacturers and enforce compliance with South Carolina’s qualifying statute through litigation, if necessary.
• Draft correspondence to financial institutions, state agencies, and counsel for Tobacco Manufacturers.
• Learn to maintain and operate a detailed spreadsheet tracking statewide cigarette sales, including the processes and audits that ensure data accuracy.

South Carolina Attorney General's Office - Tobacco Division

Recent news on tobacco settlement payments

This position also includes an excellent benefits package:

• Public Service Loan Forgiveness eligibility.
• Paid parental leave.
• Health, dental, vision, long-term disability, and life insurance for employees, spouses, and children.
• Fifteen days of annual (vacation) leave per year.
• Fifteen days of sick leave per year.
• Thirteen paid holidays.
• State Retirement Plan and Deferred Compensation Programs.

A Juris Doctorate Degree.

Must be a member and in good standing with the SC Bar.

Must satisfy Rule 403 requirements.

Additional Requirements:

• Position may require overnight travel.

• Knowledge of the laws of South Carolina.
• Knowledge of general case, statutory, and common law.
• Knowledge of judicial and quasi-judicial procedures and rules of guidance.
• Ability to interpret and apply laws in court decisions.
• Ability to analyze facts, evidence, and legal instruments.
• Ability to express conclusions and arguments clearly and logically.

DRUG SCREENING, CREDIT CHECK, DELINQUENT TAX CHECK, AND SLED BACKGROUND CHECKS REQUIRED.

THIS OFFICE IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY AND AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER.

EEOP Utilization Report available upon request.