Attorney IV (Commission Counsel)

State of South Carolina; Columbia (SC); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance

State retirement plan

Paid leave and holidays

Parental leave

Job summary

The State of South Carolina invites applications for an Attorney IV in the Office of Commission Counsel. Under limited supervision, you will handle delegated legal work and produce substantial written work product, with emphasis on precise legal writing and analysis.

Responsibilities include meeting preparation, disciplinary proceedings, research using Westlaw, and drafting orders and reports. Qualifications include a JD from an ABA-accredited school and five years of related experience;

Qualifications

• JD from ABA-accredited law school with five years of related experience.
• Excellent legal writing skills and proficiency in MS Office.
• Familiarity with Westlaw, court rules, and appellate procedure.

Responsibilities

• Oversees meetings/hearings and drafts correspondence, orders, and panel reports.
• Monitors compliance with admission, reinstatement, and discipline orders.
• Reviews and releases confidential disciplinary history information per rules.
• Trains Commission staff and provides case management guidance.
• Drafts summaries of dismissals and confidential resolutions in misconduct cases.
• Performs legal research using Westlaw and relevant statutes.
• Supervises staff in absence of senior counsel and ensures cross-training.

Skills

Legal writing

Westlaw

Legal research

Court rules

Microsoft Office

Education

Juris Doctorate

Tools

Adobe Acrobat

Job description

Job Responsibilities

Under limited supervision, this attorney is responsible for specifically delegated legal work to assist in the day to day operations of the Office of Commission Counsel. This attorney IV position will provide a significant amount of written work product and must possess strong written communication skills.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities Of The Position

• Oversees and attends meetings and hearings of Commissions on Lawyer and Judicial Conduct to include scheduling, agenda and file review, and drafting of correspondence, orders, and panel reports within established deadlines.
• Oversees compliance by lawyers and/or judges with conditions of admission, reinstatement, deferred discipline, discipline, and orders relieving the receiver.
• Reviews and approves the release of disciplinary history information in compliance with governing confidentiality rules.
• Oversees appointments and re-appointments for both Commission. Responsible for training and education for Commissions on Lawyer and Judicial Conduct.
• Prepares correspondence, orders, and reports in attorney and judicial disciplinary cases, including incapacity cases. Edits and finalizes work products for accuracy, clarity, and correct legal citation.
• Assists Commission Counsel in compiling statistical information and in preparing annual discipline report.
• Prepares draft summaries of dismissals and confidential resolutions of judicial complaints by Commission on Judicial Conduct.
• Provides research on variety of topics at request of Commission Counsel and Deputy Commission Counsel using Westlaw, court rules, statutes, case law, and Supreme Court or Administrative Orders. Responsible for database of precedent with respect to lawyer and judicial misconduct.
• In the absence of Commission Counsel or Deputy Commission Counsel, may be called upon to supervise personnel in the Office of Commission Counsel or Office of the Receiver. Responsible for staff cross training and development, to include training staff on case management software.
• Performs all other duties as directed by Commission Counsel.

Minimum And Additional Requirements

• A Juris Doctorate Degree from an American Bar Association (ABA) accredited school of law and five (5) years of related work experience.
• Must possess excellent legal writing skills, as well as computer skills and proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (e.g. Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Adobe, etc.).

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• Knowledge of the South Carolina Rules of Professional Conduct, Code of Judicial Conduct, Rules of Civil Procedure, Rules of Evidence, and Appellate Court Rules.
• Knowledge of standard computer applications, including Microsoft Office, and Adobe Acrobat.
• Ability to efficiently and accurately analyze complex legal issues, to apply state law and judicial decisions, and effectively draft logical and clear legal documents.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills. Ability to handle sensitive or difficult issues with non-lawyers, lawyers, and judges. Understanding importance of confidentiality and ability to maintain confidentiality of information.
• Competency in legal research. Knowledge of South Carolina law and procedure, Westlaw, and the Bluebook System of Citation. Must be able to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Must be able to work in an autonomous environment with excellent self-direction, initiative, and motivation.
• Ability to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines. Use discretion in assigning tasks to staff including administrative assistants and paralegals.
• Required to advise Commission Counsel or Deputy Commission Counsel of any issues, problems, or concerns relating to job duties.
• Ability to work in a team environment and listen to new ideas and recommendations from others.
• Must be able to supervise the office in the absence of Commission Counsel or Deputy Commission Counsel.

Certifications & Licenses

Member of the South Carolina Bar in good standing.

Preferred Qualifications

Seven (7) years of experience as an attorney, including two (2) years of demonstrated experience with legal writing.

The South Carolina Judicial Branch offers an exceptional benefits package for FTE positions that include:

• 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;
• Paid Parental Leave;
• Workers’ Compensation Benefits

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.