Paralegal / 61014372

State of South Carolina; Columbia (SC); On-site; USD 42,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance

Long-Term Disability

15 days annual leave

15 days sick leave

13 paid holidays

Parental Leave

State Retirement Plan

Deferred Compensation

Job summary

The State of South Carolina, Office of General Counsel in Lexington County, seeks a Paralegal to support an attorney in family court matters, including child protection, foster care, adoption and adult protection. You will use the LCMS to draft pleadings, orders and notices, and maintain accurate case data such as parties and hearing outcomes.

Responsibilities include organizing cases, ensuring proper service, drafting orders for attorney review, attending hearings, and coordinating with DSS

Qualifications

• High school diploma required.
• College degree may substitute for all or part of related work experience.
• Paralegal or legal secretarial experience preferred; valid driver’s license preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assist assigned attorney in Family Court on issues related to child protection, foster care, adoption, and adult protection.
• Prepare pleadings, orders, notices, and other documents using LCMS; input party names, addresses and hearing outcomes.
• Prepare cases for Family Court including service, docket distribution, and preparation of proposed orders.
• Attend hearings and trials and maintain notes reflecting attendance, testimony and court rulings.
• Liaise between attorney, DSS staff, and law enforcement; protect personal information and agency data.

Skills

Paralegal experience

Legal secretarial experience

Valid driver’s license

Education

High school diploma

College degree may substitute for experience

Tools

Legal Case Management System (LCMS)

Job description

Job Responsibilities

Do you have a passion to provide meaningful contributions to your community? Would you like to be part of an organization whose central mission is helping to protect, stabilize and strengthen the lives of South Carolina's children, families, and vulnerable adults? If so, the SC Department of Social Services has the right job opportunity for you! Job Duties:

• The Paralegal provides assistance to assigned attorney to provide legal services and representation in Family Courts on issues relative to child protection, foster care, adoption, child day care, and adult protection.
• Utilizes the Legal Case Management System (LCMS) to prepare pleadings, orders, notices, and other documents. Maintains accurate LCMS data by inputting documents and information including names of parties, addresses, and hearing outcomes.
• Prepares cases for Family Court including file organization, initiation and verification of service and ensures all parties are properly served, distribution of treatment plans, preparation and distribution of dockets to appropriate parties, draft proposed orders for attorney review, process continuance requests, and re-docket subsequent hearings.
• Prepares pleadings, motions, and proposed orders for attorney's review; files pleadings, motions, notices, and other legal documents with the Clerk of Court; circulates, files, and serves orders.
• Attends hearings and trials, assists with the orderly flow of cases into the courtroom, and maintains accurate notes reflecting attendance, testimony, evidence, and the Court's ruling.
• Collects, assembles and verifies witness statements, reports, documents and exhibits for use by attorney in preparation of court cases. Researches issues, prepares briefs, discovery requests, and motions.
• Acts as liaison between the attorney and DSS staff members, and representatives of law enforcement and Family Court.
• Ensures that personal identifying information (Pl I) is properly used, accessed, gathered, shared and disposed. Protects the Agency networks and applications by safeguarding systems, equipment and data.
• Performs related duties as required.

Minimum and Additional Requirements

A High School Diploma and work experience that is directly related to the area of employment.

A college degree may be substituted for all or part of related work experience.

Preferred Qualifications

Paralegal or legal secretarial experience and a valid drivers license.

Additional Comments

Must have a valid drivers' license and access to motor vehicle; ability to access 4/5 drawer file cabinets and/or various filing systems; ability to enter information into computer; ability to lift 20lbs.

Benefits

The South Carolina Department of Social Services offers an exceptional benefits package that includes:

• Health, Dental, Vision, Long Term Disability, and Life Insurance for Employee, Spouse, and Children
• 15 days annual (vacation) leave per year
• 15 days sick leave per year
• 13 paid holidays
• Paid Parental Leave
• State Retirement Plan and Deferred Compensation Programs

Office of General Counsel / Lexington County