Assistant Attorney General (Attorney II), Tobacco

State of South Carolina; Columbia (SC); On-site; USD 66,000 - 93,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

Paid parental leave

Health, dental, vision, LTI & life

Vacation & sick leave

Public sector pension

Job summary

The Tobacco Division of the South Carolina Attorney General’s Office is seeking an Assistant Attorney General with a Juris Doctorate to enforce tobacco law and oversee related regulatory duties. You will work with SLED, DOR auditors, and multi-agency partners on enforcement actions and certifications.

The role entails travel for conferences and multistate calls, with a focus on upholding the MSA obligations and SC statutes. Excellent benefits accompany state employment.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctorate required and member in good standing with the SC Bar.
• Experience with tobacco law or regulatory enforcement is a plus.
• Must satisfy Rule 403 requirements.

Responsibilities

• Research and answer questions regarding Tobacco Law on behalf of the State.
• Review, evaluate, and approve or deny annual certifications to the South Carolina Tobacco Directory.
• Analyze escrow accounts of Tobacco Manufacturers and enforce compliance with SC law.
• Draft correspondence to financial institutions, state agencies, and tobacco counsel.
• Maintain a detailed spreadsheet tracking statewide cigarette sales and audits.

Skills

Legal research

Analytical thinking

Communication

Education

Juris Doctorate

Tools

Spreadsheet software

Job description

Job Responsibilities

Salary: $66,400-$92,900

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

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.

Minimum And Additional Requirements

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.

Preferred Qualifications

• 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.

Additional Comments

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.

Benefits For State Employees

The state of South Carolina offers eligible employees generous benefits, including health and dental insurance; retirement and savings plan options; and paid vacation and sick leave. Plus, work-life balance programs such as telecommuting and flexible work schedules are available to employees of some state agencies.

Insurance Benefits

Eligible employees may enroll in health insurance, which includes prescription coverage and wellness benefits. Other available insurance benefits include dental, vision, term life insurance, long term disability and flexible spending accounts for health and child care expenses.

Retirement Benefits

State employees are also offered retirement plan options, including defined benefit and defined contribution plans. Additionally, eligible employees may elect to participate in the South Carolina Deferred Compensation Program, which is a voluntary, supplemental retirement savings plan offering 401(k) and 457 plan options.

Workplace Benefits

State employees may also be eligible for other benefits, including tuition assistance; holiday, annual and sick leave; and discounts on purchases, travel and more.

Note

The benefits above are available to most state employees, with the exception of those in temporary positions. Employees in temporary grant and time-limited positions may be eligible for all, some or none of these benefits as benefits are associated with each position type. For these positions, contact the hiring agency to determine what benefits may be available.