Legal Assistant - Civil Litigation

Hedrick Gardner Kincheloe & Garofalo LLP; Columbia (SC); On-site; USD 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental

Vision

Life

Short-term Disability

Long-term Disability

HRA

FSA

401K

Pet Insurance

Paid Holidays

Job summary

Hedrick Gardner Kincheloe & Garofalo LLP in Columbia, SC seeks a Legal Assistant to provide essential administrative support for three or more attorneys. The role emphasizes organized filing, calendaring, correspondence, and a professional, client-focused work ethic.

You will handle mail, electronic documents, calls, pleadings, and scheduling for mediations and depositions, with attention to deadlines and accuracy.

Qualifications

• Civil defense litigation knowledge, deadlines, and court filing procedures.
• Professional office experience, ideally in a law firm or legal department.
• Proficiency in listed software: Word, Outlook, Aderant, NetDocs, Acrobat.
• Ability to complete tasks timely and meet deadlines.
• Knowledge of case management software preferred; basic medical terminology.

Responsibilities

• Handle incoming mail and manage electronic documents for attorneys.
• Answer and respond to phone calls; manage each attorney’s calendar.
• Draft correspondence and pleadings; schedule mediations and depositions.
• Request information from parties; assist other staff as needed; prioritize work.

Skills

Excellent written communication

Excellent customer service

Exceptional proofreading

Deadline management

Education

HS diploma

Associate degree or paralegal studies

Tools

MS Word

MS Outlook

Aderant

NetDocs

Adobe Acrobat

Job description

Excellent written communication skills

For 70 years, our firm has been a trusted legal partner throughout North and South Carolina— delivering strategic defense, practical counsel, and results that matter. Across our five offices, we combine knowledge and experience with the resources and insight to manage complex claims and litigation efficiently.

We believe the strongest defense is built on solid relationships and client engagement. Our attorneys are more than counsel. We stand beside clients at every stage of a dispute by offering clear guidance, focused strategy, and relentless advocacy. Clients trust us to protect their interests and show up when it matters most.

What sets us apart is our commitment to true partnership. We invest deeply in understanding each client’s unique perspective, challenges they are facing, and their priorities, ensuring our counsel is practical and aligned with your business goals.

We blend a legacy of steady, dependable advocacy with a collaborative multi-generational approach — where experience meets innovation and grit meets adaptability. This balance allows us to navigate complex claims with precision that enhances efficiency and outcomes.

Our five offices across the Carolinas give us unmatched perspective. We understand the nuances of state and regional regulations and court practices, enabling us to craft defense strategies grounded in real-world environments.

Job Description

The Legal Assistant will provide administrative support for 3 or more attorneys.

Core Duties and Responsibilities

This position will support attorneys by providing administrative support such as handling incoming mail, managing electronic documents, answering and responding to phone calls, managing each attorney’s calendar, drafting correspondence and pleadings, scheduling mediations and depositions, requesting necessary information from parties involved in litigated cases and assisting other support staff as needed. The legal assistant communicates and resolves competing priorities when appropriate and any other tasks that may be assigned by supervising attorneys or management.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this position. Activities, duties, and responsibilities may change at any time with or without notice.

Qualifications

• Required – HS diploma
• Preferred – Associate degree, certificate or similar course of study in the area of administrative support, legal secretarial assistance or paralegal studies
• Qualified candidates will exhibit knowledge of and experience in civil defense litigation including knowledge of deadlines, requirements and court filing procedures.
• Prior success in a professional office environment, preferably a law firm or legal department.
• Proficiency in MS Word and MS Outlook
• Proficiency in Aderant for case management
• Proficiency in NetDocs for document management
• Proficiency using Adobe Acrobat for PDF creation and manipulation
• Ability to complete tasks assigned in a timely fashion
• Ability to manage/meet deadlines
• Excellent written communication skills
• Excellent customer service skills
• Exceptional proofreading skills
• Knowledge of case management software preferred
• Basic knowledge of medical terminology

Additional Information

This position is a 37.5 hour work week, full-time position.

Work Environment

• Indoor Office Setting

Benefits

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Life
• Short-term Disability
• Long-term Disability
• HRA
• FSA
• 401K
• Pet Insurance
• Paid Holidays

Benefit Conditions

• Waiting period may apply
• Only full-time employees eligible

Ability to commute/relocate

Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work.

Hedrick Gardner is committed to the equal employment opportunity of all individuals regardless of their race, color, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by local, state, or federal law.