Attorney V

State of South Carolina; Lugoff (SC); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

15 days vacation

15 days sick leave

13 paid holidays

Parental leave

Retirement plan (SCRS/State ORP)

Job summary

State of South Carolina — South Carolina Election Commission is seeking an experienced attorney to serve as General Counsel and principal legal advisor to the Executive Director, Commission, and agency leadership. This senior role provides legal leadership on elections, litigation, employment, regulatory, and operational matters.

The General Counsel supervises the Attorney IV and Senior Paralegal, directs litigation and administrative actions, and coordinates with the Attorney General’s Office.

Qualifications

• J.D. from an accredited law school and admission to practice.
• Strong knowledge of South Carolina law and election law.
• Excellent legal research, writing, and analytical skills.
• Ability to explain complex legal issues clearly to varied audiences.
• Experience supervising attorneys or legal staff.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
• Experience advising government agencies or public entities.
• Judgment and professionalism for handling high-profile matters.

Responsibilities

• Serve as General Counsel and principal legal advisor to Executive Director, Commission, and agency leadership.
• Provide legal leadership on election, employment, regulatory, and operational matters.
• Supervise Attorney IV and Senior Paralegal; assign, review, and guide work.
• Direct litigation, protests, appeals, and administrative proceedings.
• Coordinate with AG's Office and outside counsel.
• Conduct complex legal research and prepare opinions, briefs, and memoranda.
• Review legislation, regulations, contracts, and agency actions for legality.
• Advise during meetings and ensure compliance with laws and policies.

Skills

Legal leadership

Legal research

Legal writing

Communication

Litigation experience

Government advisory

Supervisory experience

Time management

Independent work

Ethics and confidentiality

Education

Juris Doctor (J.D.)

Job description

Job Responsibilities

The South Carolina Election Commission is seeking an experienced attorney to serve as General Counsel and principal legal advisor to the Executive Director, Commission, and agency leadership. This senior-level position provides legal leadership on complex election, litigation, employment, administrative, regulatory, and operational matters. The General Counsel directly supervises the Attorney IV and Senior Paralegal and is responsible for providing clear, sound, and timely legal counsel to support the Commission’s work across South Carolina.

• Serves as General Counsel and principal legal advisor to the Executive Director, Commission, and agency leadership.
• Provides legal advice on South Carolina and federal election laws, regulations, court decisions, proposed legislation, and other matters affecting elections and the administration of the agency.
• Advises leadership on complex and sensitive matters involving election operations, personnel and employment, disciplinary actions, grievances, accommodations, contracts, procurement, ethics, FOIA, confidentiality, privacy, records, and agency policy.
• Identifies legal risks and provides clear recommendations and practical options for addressing those risks.
• Directly supervises the Attorney IV and Senior Paralegal. Assigns and reviews work, establishes priorities, provides professional guidance, and manages performance.
• Directs and coordinates litigation, election protests and appeals, administrative proceedings, subpoenas, claims, employee-related legal actions, and other contested matters.
• Represents the Commission as appropriate and coordinates with the South Carolina Attorney General’s Office and outside counsel.
• Conducts and directs complex legal research and prepares legal opinions, memoranda, pleadings, briefs, and other legal documents.
• Reviews proposed legislation, regulations, policies, procedures, contracts, agreements, and significant agency actions for legal sufficiency and compliance.
• Advises the Commission during meetings and proceedings and provides counsel on sensitive or high-impact matters.
• Assists in developing and implementing agency policies and procedures.
• Keeps agency leadership informed of significant legal developments and matters that may affect the Commission.
• Provides leadership and direction for the Commission’s legal function.
• Performs other legal and managerial duties as assigned by the Executive Director.

The strongest candidates will demonstrate:

• Significant experience practicing law.
• Strong knowledge of South Carolina law and the ability to quickly analyze and apply statutes, regulations, and judicial decisions.
• Excellent legal research, writing, and analytical skills.
• The ability to explain complicated legal issues clearly to both attorneys and non-attorneys.
• Experience handling complex litigation, administrative matters, or other contested legal proceedings.
• Experience advising government agencies, public entities, boards, commissions, or other organizations on complex legal matters.
• Experience supervising attorneys or other legal professionals.
• The ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines, particularly during periods of heightened activity.
• The judgment and professionalism necessary to handle confidential, sensitive, and high-profile matters.
• The ability to work independently while also being a strong partner to agency leadership and staff.

Experience with election law is highly desirable. Experience with governmental, administrative, employment, regulatory, or public-sector law is also strongly preferred.

Minimum and Additional Requirements

A Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree or its equivalent from an accredited law school and experience as a practicing attorney.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of the theories, practices, and principles of effective management.
• Knowledge of the laws of South Carolina.
• Knowledge of election law and governmental operations.
• Knowledge of agency policies, standards, and procedures.
• Knowledge of applicable federal laws, regulations, and judicial decisions.
• Ability to supervise and motivate employees.
• Ability to interpret and apply laws, regulations, policies, and judicial decisions.
• Ability to exercise sound, independent legal judgment.
• Ability to establish priorities and manage multiple complex matters.
• Ability to conduct complex legal research and analysis.
• Ability to express legal conclusions and arguments clearly and logically.
• Ability to communicate effectively with Commission members, agency leadership, employees, attorneys, government officials, and outside counsel.

Preferred Qualifications

• Must be a member of the South Carolina Bar.
• Must be admitted to theUnited States District Court for the District of South Carolina.

Additional Comments

The South Carolina State Election Commission is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions including, but not limited, to lactation), national origin, age (40 or older), disability or genetic information.

Supplemental questions are considered part of your official application. Any misrepresentation will result in your disqualification from employment. Please complete the state application to include all current and previous work history and education. A resume will not be accepted nor reviewed to determine if an applicant has met the qualifications for the position.

The South Carolina Election Commission offers an exceptional benefits package for full time (FTE) employees:

• Health, dental, vision, long-term disability, and life insurance for employees, spouse, and children. Click here for additional information.
• 15 days annual (vacation) leave per year
• 15 days sick leave per year
• 13 paid holidays
• Paid parental leave
• S.C. Deferred Compensation Program available (S.C. Deferred Compensation)
• Retirement benefit choices
  • State Retirement Plan (SCRS)
  • State Optional Retirement Program (State ORP)

*Enrollment in one of the listed plans is required for all FTE employees; please refer to the contribution section of hyperlinked retirement sites for the current contribution rate of gross pay.