Staff Attorney I - COA (2 year rotation)

State of South Carolina; Columbia (SC); On-site; USD 58,000 - 66,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, Dental, Vision

Long Term Disability

Life Insurance

State Retirement Plan

Paid vacation

Paid sick leave

Parental Leave

Holidays

Workers’ Compensation

Job summary

State of South Carolina seeks a qualified attorney to assist Court of Appeals judges by reviewing direct appeals and post-conviction relief petitions. The role involves researching legal issues, drafting memoranda, and proposing recommendations for oral argument scheduling.

Under the Chief Staff Attorney, you will read briefs, summarize facts, cite authority, and prepare opinions for filing. Strong knowledge of South Carolina law, Westlaw, and Bluebook is essential.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctorate from ABA-accredited law school.
• Admission to or eligibility for admission to the South Carolina bar within first year.
• Minimum 3.2 GPA with Journal or Moot Court experience.

Responsibilities

• Independently reviews and analyzes direct appeals and post-conviction relief petitions.
• Reads case files and briefs; conducts preliminary legal research on issues.
• Drafts bench memoranda and proposed opinions for court consideration.
• Orally presents cases to senior staff attorneys during conferences.

Skills

Legal analysis

Bluebook

Teamwork

Oral presentations

Legal research

Education

JD (ABA)

SC bar eligibility

Tools

Westlaw

Microsoft Word

Job description

Under the direct supervision of the Chief Staff Attorney, assists the Court of Appeals judges by reviewing assigned cases, researching and analyzing legal issues, and providing written and oral recommendations to the Court.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE POSITION

This job bulletin represents general duties for this position and is not intended to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.

• Independently reviews and analyzes direct appeals and post-conviction relief petitions filed with the Court. Reads and reviews paper case file and electronic case file for each assigned case. Reviews underlying order to determine whether order is immediately appealable to the Court of Appeals. Reads and reviews appellate briefs and petitions and the record on appeal. Conducts preliminary legal research on the issues raised in the briefs or petitions, including but not limited to a review of the cases cited in the brief or petitions. Researches the issues presented on appeal using Westlaw, the South Carolina Code of Laws, and other legal authority. Determines a proposed recommendation for each case or a recommendation that the case be scheduled for oral argument.
• Orally presents assigned cases to Chief Staff Attorney, Deputy Chief Staff Attorney, or Senior Staff Attorneys during conferences. Summarizes the facts of each case, recites the issues presented on appeal, and provides a proposed legal recommendation for the case or a recommendation that the case be returned to the Clerk's Office to be scheduled for oral argument.
• Drafts a bench memorandum for each assigned direct appeal case, which includes the case caption, an introduction to the case, a summary of the relevant facts, a listing of the issues raised on appeal, a summary of the parties' arguments, citations and analysis of relevant case law, and an analysis of the law that applies the law to the facts of the case. Drafts proposed opinions and orders resolving each case to be submitted to the Court for consideration, review, and ultimate filing with the Clerk of Court.
• Self-edits all work product, reading the documents and reviewing substance, form, grammar, and style. Spades opinions and orders to ensure the legal authority is correctly cited, the authority stands for the proposition it is cited for, or if a direct quote, the quote is exact.

• Juris Doctorate Degree from an American Bar Association (ABA) accredited school of law and admission to or eligibility for admission to the practice of law in South Carolina within first year of employment.
• Minimum of 3.2 GPA and Journal or Moot Court experience.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

• Knowledge of South Carolina law and procedure, Westlaw, and the Bluebook System of Citation.
• Ability to analyze complex legal issues, to apply state/federal law and judicial decisions, and to effectively draft logical and clear legal documents.
• Ability to exercise excellent self-direction, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines.
• Ability to interact and maintain relationships with judges and ability to work in a team environment.
• Ability to listen to new ideas and recommendations from others.
• Ability to speak effectively when addressing judges and co-workers.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and use discretion in dealing with sensitive information.

• Current member of the South Carolina Bar in good standing.
• Prior experience using Westlaw and Microsoft Word.

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.