VLC Access to Justice Fellow

University of South Carolina; Columbia (SC); On-site; USD 53,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement plan

Paid leave

Job summary

University of South Carolina invites applications for the South Carolina Rural Access to Justice Fellowship (SCRAJ). This two-year fellowship places recent law graduates to establish intake procedures and client counseling sites in rural areas serving unmet civil legal needs.

Fellow will handle direct representation in VLC’s practice areas, work under supervision, and collaborate with staff and students to reach underserved communities, including remote support when needed.

Qualifications

• Requires a juris doctor degree or its equivalent from an accredited law school.
• Must be a member in good standing of the South Carolina Bar.
• SC Bar certification is required.

Responsibilities

• Represent low-income clients in VLC, including rural clients, in SSI and other income-stability matters.
• Collaborate with clinic faculty, staff, and community partners to conduct intake and provide representation.
• Utilize case management software to maintain organized records and timekeeping.
• Other responsibilities as needed to support program goals.
• Interview and evaluate cases of low income clients referred to VLC for health-harming legal needs.

Skills

Writing skills

Verbal communication

Travel ability

Collaboration

Diversity awareness

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

SC Bar in good standing

Job description

We are only accepting applications submitted by May 5, 2026.

Anticipated Hiring Range 52,526-75,000 commensurate with experience

Location of Vacancy

Columbia, SC

Employment Type

Full Time

Hours per Week

37.5

Work Schedule

• Monday through Friday 8:30am – 5:00pm with an hour for lunch each day.
• Must be willing to work a flexible schedule to meet the needs of the department.

Type of Staff Position

Staff Time-Limited (STL)

Basis

12 months

Job Search Category

Other Professional

About USC

From the Upstate to the Lowcountry, the University of South Carolina system is transforming the lives of South Carolinians through the impact of our eight institutions and 20 locations throughout the state. More than 50,000 students are enrolled at one of eight institutions, including the research campus in Columbia and comprehensive four-year universities in Aiken, Upstate and Beaufort. In addition, our Palmetto College campuses in Salkehatchie, Union, Lancaster and Sumter enable students to earn associate or bachelor’s degrees through a combination of in-person, online or blended learning. All of our system institutions place strong emphasis on service — helping to build healthier, more educated communities in South Carolina and beyond.

Benefits

• Health and life insurance, generous paid leave and retirement programs
• Research Grant or Time-limited positions may be eligible for all, some, or no benefits, based on the grant or project funding.
• South Carolina Retirement Yes
• State Insurance Programs Yes
• Annual Leave Yes
• Sick Leave Yes

Position Summary

The Joseph F. Rice School of Law’s South Carolina Rural Access to Justice Fellowship ( SCRAJ ) funds recent law school graduates motivated to serve rural communities in our state. Working closely with the Faculty Director of the Veterans Legal Clinic ( VLC ), the SCRAJ Fellow will establish intake procedures for and client counseling sites in rural areas with significant unmet civil legal services needs. In addition to providing direct representation to clients in VLC’s core practice areas of veterans benefits appeals, discharge upgrades, and other income and housing stability matters, the Fellow will engage in broader activities such as advice and counsel and community legal education. Throughout this two‑year fellowship, the SCRAJ Fellow will train and work under the limited supervision of the VLC Faculty Director and collaborate with Clinic staff and students, both in person and remotely, to reach underserved rural communities and deliver excellent legal services.

Education and Experience

• Requires a juris doctor degree or its equivalent from an accredited law school.
• Must be a member in good standing of the South Carolina Bar.

Certification, Licensure/Other Credentials

• SC Bar certified

Preferred Qualifications

• Excellent writing and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to travel and work independently in rural areas of the state.
• Ability to collaborate with law school faculty, staff, and students, and with community partners or site hosts.
• Ability to work with diverse clients and host communities.

Job Duties

Job Duty

Represent, including through litigation and negotiation, low income clients referred to VLC , particularly those from rural areas, in SSI and other income‑stability matters, insurance/Medicaid access, food security, education, and housing.

Essential Function Yes

Percentage of Time 40

Job Duty

Collaborate effectively with clinic faculty and staff and community partners to conduct intake and provide excellent representation for VLC clients, as well as targeted community legal education and advice and counsel in rural communities.

Essential Function Yes

Percentage of Time 20

Job Duty

Utilizing case management software to promote efficiency and collaboration, maintain contemporaneous, organized electronic and hard copy records, including contemporaneous timekeeping records.

Essential Function Yes

Percentage of Time 10

Job Duty

Other responsibilities as needed to support program goals.

Essential Function Yes

Percentage of Time 5

Job Duty

Interview and evaluate the cases of low income clients referred to VLC for health‑harming legal needs, particularly clients from rural areas.

Essential Function Yes

Percentage of Time 25

Position Attributes and Policies

Employees in Safety‑Sensitive or Security‑Sensitive positions will be subject to pre‑employment and post‑employment drug testing in accordance with University policy HR 1.95 Drug and Alcohol Testing.

Employees in Safety‑Sensitive or Security‑Sensitive positions will be subject to pre‑employment and post‑employment drug testing in accordance with University policy HR 1.95 Drug and Alcohol Testing. No

Number of Vacancies

1

Job Open Date

03/24/2026

Job Close Date

05/08/2026

Open Until Filled

No

Discrimination and Equal Opportunity

The University of South Carolina does not discriminate in educational or employment opportunities or decisions for qualified persons on the basis of age, ancestry, citizenship status, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender (including transgender), gender identity or expression, genetic information, HIV /AIDs status, military status, national origin, pregnancy (false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, childbirth, recovery therefrom or related medical conditions, breastfeeding), race, religion (including religious dress and grooming practices), sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other bases under federal, state, local law, or regulations.