Public Justice Managing Attorney

CAROLINA LEGAL ASSOCIATES; Charleston (SC); On-site; USD 77,000 - 94,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PSLF eligibility

Job summary

CAROLINA LEGAL ASSOCIATES in Charleston, SC seeks a Senior Managing Attorney to lead its legal team and expand access to justice. You will focus on legal excellence, client advocacy, and mentorship.

Join a mission-driven nonprofit with a collaborative culture, the chance to grow the practice, and opportunities to engage in outreach and fundraising as needed. Expect a balanced workload and meaningful public service.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (D.) degree and an active license to practice law in South Carolina are required.
• Proven experience managing, training, or supervising attorneys or legal staff is key.
• Strong background in Family Law is strongly preferred.
• Prior experience in Civil Litigation or Immigration Law is a major plus.
• A deep, demonstrated commitment to public interest work and legal equity.
• Exceptional communication skills and a passion for community advocacy.

Responsibilities

• Supervise, mentor, and guide staff attorneys, paralegals, and legal volunteers.
• Manage a direct caseload focusing primarily on family law matters.
• Handle civil litigation and immigration cases as organizational needs arise.
• Get out into the community to raise awareness of the firm's services.
• Collaborate closely alongside other public justice organizations to build strong coalitions.
• Collaborate with executive leadership to expand legal outreach and community impact.
• Help recruit and add additional attorneys as the organization grows.

Skills

Supervising attorneys

Public interest

Strong communication

Leadership/mentoring

Education

Juris Doctor (D.)

SC bar license

Job description

Our client, a dedicated public justice non-profit in Charleston, South Carolina, seeks a dedicated Senior Managing Attorney to lead its legal team. This organization fights every day to widen access to justice and serve individuals desperately in need of quality legal representation. This role lets you live and work in one of the most amazing cities in the world while changing lives.

The organization provides vital legal services to people who work hard every day but cannot afford private legal help. If you are a mission-driven attorney who wants to bridge the justice gap, this is your home.

The organization fosters a truly supportive, collaborative culture and offers outstanding work-life balance.

As managing attorney, you’ll focus your energy on legal excellence, client advocacy, and team mentorship. The organization has an administrator that leads the organization, handling high-level administrative management and major fundraising. However, you also have the flexibility to step into fundraising and community outreach if those areas spark your interest.

You will also play a key role in the organization's future. As the practice expands, you will help grow the team by adding additional attorneys, giving you a rare chance to shape a thriving public interest firm from the inside.

Key Responsibilities

• Supervise, mentor, and guide staff attorneys, paralegals, and legal volunteers.
• Manage a direct caseload focusing primarily on family law matters.
• Handle civil litigation and immigration cases as organizational needs arise.
• Get out into the community to raise awareness of the firm's services.
• Collaborate closely alongside other public justice organizations to build strong coalitions.
• Collaborate with executive leadership to expand legal outreach and community impact.
• Help recruit and add additional attorneys as the organization grows.

Required & Preferred Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (D.) degree and an active license to practice law in South Carolina are required.
• Proven experience managing, training, or supervising attorneys or legal staff is key.
• Strong background in Family Law is strongly preferred.
• Prior experience in Civil Litigation or Immigration Law is a major plus.
• A deep, demonstrated commitment to public interest work and legal equity.
• Exceptional communication skills and a passion for community advocacy.

Why You Should Apply

• Live in Charleston: Enjoy life in one of the most vibrant, historic, and amazing cities in the world.
• Make a Real Impact: Help hard-working people access the justice they deserve alongside a passionate, supportive team.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF): As a qualifying 501(c)(3) employer, your service puts you on track for federal student loan forgiveness after 10 years.
• Growth and Balance: Shape the future of a growing organization while maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
• Salary in typical public-justice range – likely around $85k