Legal Assistant I - Solicitor 11/9/26

Charleston County Government; North Charleston (SC); On-site; USD 36,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

Charleston County Government seeks a Legal Administrative Support specialist to perform a variety of clerical duties for criminal/related legal personnel. The role follows established guidelines, with some independent judgment, and requires maintaining professional relationships with county staff, attorneys, officials, witnesses, and the public.

Responsibilities include preparing pleadings, subpoenas, and case documents, filing and organizing records, handling calls, and assisting with discovery

Qualifications

• High School diploma or GED; associate degree in Paralegal Studies or Criminal Justice preferred.
• 1+ year of legal administrative support experience.
• Able to handle confidential legal materials with tact and discretion.

Responsibilities

• Prepares pleadings and related materials, including subpoenas.
• Prepares correspondence, legal documents, summons, indictments, extradition papers, case disposition discovery, transcriptions, reports, lists and other documents as requested by designated personnel.
• Prepares appeal and discovery packages.
• Creates and maintains files, including entering information in proper database.
• Files pleadings and other legal documents.
• Provides copies of relevant court cases to Attorneys and other departments.
• Answers phones, greets visitors, provides information or refers callers.
• Interprets and applies departmental rules and regulations; communicates with officials and citizens.
• Attends meetings and trainings to stay current on duties; reports progress and issues to supervisor.
• May report to work during hazardous weather or emergencies.

Skills

General office clerical

Legal administrative support

Confidential work handling

Education

High School diploma or GED

Associate’s Degree in Paralegal Studies or Criminal Justice or paralegal certificate

Job description

Performs a variety of general office clerical and confidential administrative legal support duties for related legal personnel; performs directly related work as required. The work is performed within prior verbal or written instructions, guidelines, regulations or precedents or under the supervision and direction of an assigned supervisor but some leeway is granted for the exercise of independent judgment and initiative. The nature of the work performed requires that an employee in this class establish and maintain effective working relationships with other County employees, attorneys, elected and appointed officials, witnesses, victims, defendants, law enforcement and court personnel, and the general public.

HIRING SALARY RANGE: $35,900 - $47,028 (Estimated Annual Salary)

OPEN UNTIL FILLED – APPLICATION REVIEW BEGINS IMMEDIATELY

Duties Include:

• Prepares pleadings and related materials, including subpoenas.
• Prepares correspondence, legal documents, summons, indictments, extradition papers, case disposition discovery, transcriptions, reports, lists and other documents as instructed and requested by designated office personnel.
• Prepares appeal and discovery packages.

• Creates and maintains files, including entering information in proper database.

• Files pleadings and other legal documents.
• Provides copies of all relevant court cases to appropriate Attorneys, including other departments within the County and outside legal groups.
• Answers phones, receives and greets visitors and provides information to or refers callers and visitors to other departments or personnel.
• Interprets and applies departmental or office rules, policies and regulations in accordance with prescribed procedures and guidelines.

• Responds to questions, comments, and requests from employees, elected and appointed officials and citizens in a courteous, timely manner.

• Provides needed information and demonstrations concerning how to perform certain work tasks to new employees in the same or similar class of positions.
• Keeps immediate supervisor and designated others fully and accurately informed concerning work progress, including present and potential work problems and suggestions for new or improved ways of addressing such problems.
• Attends meetings, conferences, workshops and training sessions and reviews materials to become and remain current on the principles, practices and new developments in assigned work areas.

• Responds to citizens’ questions and comments in a courteous and timely manner.
• Communicates and coordinates regularly with others to maximize the effectiveness and efficiency of interdepartmental operations and activities.
• Performs other directly related duties consistent with the role and function of the classification.
• May be designated to report to work during hazardous weather or emergency conditions.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements:

• Graduation from High School or possession of a GED, with an Associate’s Degree in Paralegal Studies or Criminal Justice, or a paralegal certificate preferred; and
• 1 year of experience or more in legal administrative support activities; or
• Any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to perform the work.

• Some knowledge of modern office filing systems and procedures.
• Some knowledge of legal proceedings and court procedures.
• Skilled in accurately typing correspondences, reports and memoranda.
• Skilled in operating a personal computer using standard or customized software applications appropriate to assigned tasks.
• Able to prepare legal documents for cases as requested.
• Able to serve in a confidential work relationship and handle confidential legal materials with tact and discretion.
• Able to perform a wide variety of duties and responsibilities with accuracy and speed under the pressure of time-sensitive deadlines.
• Able to prepare and present accurate and reliable reports containing findings and recommendations.
• Able to exercise tact, discretion and sound judgment in addressing sensitive or confidential matters.
• Able to use logical and creative thought processes to develop solutions according to written specifications and/or oral instructions.
• Able to understand and follow oral and/or written policies, procedures and instructions.
• Able and willing to quickly learn and put to use new skills and knowledge brought about by rapidly changing information and/or technology.
• Able to use integrity, ingenuity, and inventiveness in the performance of assigned tasks.