Assistant General/Litigation Counsel - Columbia

State of South Carolina; Columbia (SC); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce (DEW) seeks an experienced Assistant General/Litigation Counsel to join the Office of General Counsel. The role focuses on appellate litigation, FOIA matters, and advising on unemployment insurance issues.

You will draft contracts, briefs, and court filings, provide legal counsel to multiple divisions, and represent DEW in judicial and governmental proceedings as needed.

Qualifications

• J.D. from an accredited law school and active SC Bar in good standing.
• Minimum 5 years of experience with appellate litigation.
• Knowledge of unemployment insurance and related statutes.
• Experience drafting contracts and confidentiality agreements.
• Strong research, analysis, and advocacy abilities.

Responsibilities

• Review claims, transcripts, and files for appeals before SC courts.
• Conduct legal research, draft briefs, and represent the Dept. in proceedings.
• Develop legal strategies to defend and promote the Dept's interests.
• Provide counsel to divisions to ensure compliance with law.
• Attend in-person meetings with other department attorneys.
• Draft and review documents including proposals, contracts, and NDAs.
• Advise on FOIA requests and related information issues.

Skills

Appellate litigation

Legal research

Contract law

FOIA compliance

Civil litigation

Education

Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school

Job description

About Us

Business is booming in South Carolina! Are you ready to be a part of developing and connecting the next generation of workers in this state? Year after year, experts pick our state as one of the best in the country for doing business. Just last year, South Carolina announced more than 8,000 new jobs and $9.12 billion in capital investment. Entrepreneurs are flocking to cities like Greenville, Charleston, Columbia, and Rock Hill to start and grow their businesses. And our hospitality industry is primed to take off as travelers from around the world continue to discover the beauty and accessibility of South Carolina's mountains and coast.

Here at the South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce (DEW), we are laser-focused on connecting every jobseeker who comes through our doors with their next great career opportunity! Are you looking for a meaningful position at an agency brimming with optimism and camaraderie that also offers job security, affordable health insurance, great retirement benefits, and work-life balance? If so, continue reading to discover your chance to make a difference at DEW!

Job Description

Are you an experienced attorney with experience in litigation? Would you like to make an impact and support South Carolina's workforce system? Join our team at DEW!

Our Assistant General/Litigation Counsel serves within the Office of General Counsel (OGC). The OGC, working collaboratively with DEW’s divisions, promotes the DEW's goals through skilled advice and diligent advocacy. OGC is committed to assisting executive staff in making informed decisions and solving problems, advising staff to ensure compliance with legal requirements, and representing DEW in judicial and governmental proceedings.

This role provides legal counsel and advice to DEW and independently manages a caseload of administrative appeals before the Administrative Law Court and practices appellate law before that Court, the Court of Appeals, and the Supreme Court. Assistant General/Litigation Counsel drafts legal documents, including contracts and confidentiality agreements and advises the Department's divisions on issues related to human resources, unemployment insurance, appeals, Freedom of Information Act, and privacy. This position also provides legal representation to the Department at all stages in civil cases, as needed.

Key Responsibilities

• Reviewing claims, transcripts, and files for appeals to South Carolina courts.
• Conducting legal research, preparing briefs, and representing the Department in legal proceedings.
• Assisting in the development of legal strategies to defend and promote the Department's interests.
• Providing legal counsel and analysis to the Department's divisions to ensure compliance with federal and state law.
• Participating in in-person meetings with other Department attorneys and legal staff to discuss legal issues and develop guidance.
• Drafting and reviewing documents, including proposals, contracts, and confidentiality agreements.
• Providing counsel and analysis of document and information requests under the S.C. Freedom of Information Act.

Education and Experience

A juris doctorate degree from an accredited law school, at least 5 years of experience and an active member in good standing with the South Carolina Bar.

Knowledge of legal principles and practices, including constitutional, contract, employment, administrative and business law, practices, and procedures used in the conduct of appellate litigation, judicial procedures and rules of evidence, pertinent Federal and State laws, codes, regulations, and court decisions related to unemployment, methods of legal research, evaluation of practical consequences of legal strategies.

Specialized experience in one or more of the following areas: appellate practice; bankruptcy, debt collection, or foreclosure; Freedom of Information Act; U.S. Department of Labor statutes and regulations; grant management; legislative affairs; prosecution; or unemployment insurance.

A resume will not be accepted nor reviewed to determine if an applicant has met the qualifications for the position.