Bar Admissions Coordinator, Senior

State of South Carolina; Columbia (SC); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Retirement plan

15 days vacation per year

15 days sick leave per year

Parental Leave

13 paid state holidays

Workers’ Compensation Benefits

Job summary

State of South Carolina invites a Senior Coordinator to support Bar Admissions under limited supervision. You will help schedule hearings, coordinate the bar exam, and process applications for admission to practice law and for licensing as a foreign legal consultant.

You will draft responses, manage records and liaise with the Committee on Character and Fitness to ensure timely action. You will also supervise proctors, organize ceremonies, and maintain the Attorney Information System while

Qualifications

• Must understand the rules governing all types of admission to the South Carolina Bar.

Responsibilities

• Provide professional support to Bar Admissions Manager and Assistant Manager; process admissions applications and bar examination administration.

Skills

MS Office

Time management

Organization

Communication skills

Attention to detail

Prioritization

Interpersonal skills

Proficiency with reports

Education

Associate degree or higher preferred

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Electronic application software

Attorney Information System

Job description

Under limited supervision, serves as a Senior Coordinator in the Office of Bar Admissions. Collaborates with the Assistant Manager and Manager in scheduling and conducting any necessary hearings before the Committee on Character in Fitness. Assists the Assistant Manager and Manager in scheduling, and conducting the South Carolina Bar Examination. Processes applications for admission to practice law and for licensing as foreign legal consultant. Processes requests for certificates of good standing, applications to be admitted pro hac vice, requests for approval of trial experiences, requests for certification as lead counsel in death penalty cases. Processes requests for copies of prior applications. Responds to questions from applicants and the public about the bar admissions process.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE POSITION

• Provide professional support to the Bar Admissions Manager and Assistant Manager. Senior in the processing of applications for the admission to practice law in South Carolina and the administration of the bar examination.
• Monitors the progress of applications for admission to practice law through the admission process by reviewing applications to ensure they are substantially complete or become substantially complete. Enters each applicant into the electronic application software, an electronic system that stores and records information regarding applications for admission or licensing. Drafting of correspondence to applicants to obtain missing information. Corresponds with other jurisdictions regarding bar applicants. Creates an accurate record of any fees that are received and processes those fees for timely deposit.
• Acts as a liaison to the Committee on Character and Fitness (Committee). Facilitates personal interviews between Committee members and applicants. Creates a yearly schedule for this twenty-four member committee for those applicants requiring a C&F hearing. Schedules, coordinates, and attends all hearings held by the Committee. Assigns each application for admission or licensing to the Committee for review and makes the applications available to the member electronically. If a petition for reinstatement or readmission to the practice of law is referred to the Committee by the Clerk of Court, provides the petition to the members of the Committee electronically. Determines if additional information is needed to evaluate an applicant and obtains this information for the Committee. Obtains any additional information as requested by the Committee. Files the Committee's report and recommendations regarding an application or petition for reinstatement or readmission with the Supreme Court, and monitors matters which have been assigned to each member of the Committee to ensure that action is taken in a timely manner, following up with the Committee members as necessary.
• Collaborates with the Manager and Assistant Manager in preparing for the South Carolina Bar Examination which is administered in February and July, with approximately 700 persons being tested each year. This examination, which is composed of the Multistate Bar Examination, the Multistate Performance Test and Multistate Essay Examination, is designed to ensure that an applicant for admission has adequate legal knowledge and skills to practice law. Prior to each Bar Examination, organizes all necessary supplies for examination, including identification cards, and materials for each examinee.
• Hires and arranges for the training of thirty-five to forty proctors to assist with the administration of each Bar Examination. Assigns roles to the proctors and supervises the proctors assigned to the Special Accommodations room during the Bar Examination.
• During the Bar Examination, provides the proctor in each testing room with the testing materials and instructions so that the proctor can administer the examination. Supervises the proctors in the Special Accommodations room and contacts the Manager for guidance if a problem occurs in the administration of the examination.
• Schedules those applicants who have successfully completed all requirements for admission for a Bar Admissions Ceremony. Assists the Manager in organizing and conducting a swearing-in ceremony. Ensures that the new admittees are entered in the Attorney Information System, the electronic database of all persons who are admitted to practice law or licensed as a foreign legal consultant in South Carolina.

• A high school diploma or GED and three (3) years of progessively responsible administrative experience.
• Proficient in the use of modern office technology including, but not limited to, Microsoft Office Suite (e.g., Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint), scanners, fax machines, microfilm, postage machines and copiers.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

• Must have a complete understanding of the rules governing all types of admission to the South Carolina Bar.
• Understands and complies with all ethical requirements applicable to court employees and maintains confidentiality regarding all non-public information related to applications for bar admission.
• Requires attention to detail.
• Must possess time management and organizational skills.
• Ability to prioritize and meet deadlines under pressure.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Ability to communicate effectively and clearly, both orally and in writing.
• Must have a complete understanding of grammar, punctuation, and spelling to help identify errors in opinions, orders and other documents.

• Associates degree or higher preferred. Prior experience working for a court, in a court related field, or as a paralegal.

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; and
• Workers’ Compensation Benefits.