Senior Paralegal

The South Carolina Judicial Branch is seeking a legal professional to join their team as Senior Paralegal in the Office of Commission Counsel. 
Under limited supervision, the senior paralegal is responsible for performing semi-autonomously specifically delegated substantive legal work to assist in the day to day operations of the Office of Commission Counsel. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE POSITION 

Schedules and attends investigative panel meetings of Commission on Lawyer Conduct. Responsibilities include meeting all notice and logistics requirements. Prepares minutes, correspondence, and orders based on panel decisions and directives. Notifies appropriate parties of decisions, sends correspondence and orders to Commission Chair for approval, and files matters with Supreme Court.

Schedules hearings for Commissions. Responsibilities include meeting all notice and logistics requirements. Organizes and maintains case files and exhibits. Ensures deadlines are met and accurate record is filed with Supreme Court. 

Maintains a calendar of relevant events and deadlines related to Commission cases, meetings, and hearings. Performs a variety of related administrative duties with scheduling, monitoring case related deadlines, and monitoring hearing dates. 

File manager for Commission on Lawyer Conduct. Opens and maintains files in case management system. Manages and files incoming and outgoing correspondence. Maintains accurate disciplinary history information for Commission on Lawyer Conduct. Maintains accurate inventory of files and retrieves files as requested by staff and members of the public.

Responds to requests for disciplinary history information about lawyers in compliance with governing confidentiality rules. Drafts responses to inquiries from lawyers, judges, and members of the public. Drafts routine orders for review by Commission Counsel or Deputy Commission Counsel. 

Associate’s Degree in paralegal studies and at least three (3) years of paralegal experience or an acceptable combination of Bachelor's degree with five (5) years of experience performing delegated, substantive legal work support.
Must possess excellent computer skills to include proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (e.g. Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook) and Adobe Pro. 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of the S.C. Unified Judicial System and S.C. Appellate Court Rules. 
 Knowledge of South Carolina Rules of Professional Conduct and Rules for Lawyer Disciplinary Enforcement. 
Knowledge of motions, discovery, litigation, documentation, court and administrative proceedings rules, procedures, and practices. 
Must be a self-starter with the ability to prioritize work, work well under pressure, and work independently and effectively in executing job responsibilities. 
Strong interpersonal and communication skills both verbal and written as well as demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with attorneys, judges, court personnel, clients, and the general public. 
Ability to communicate, both verbally and in writing, in a clear and effective manner. 
Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality, and to exercise sound judgment and discretion. 
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.  
Ability to lift and move boxes weighing up to 40 pounds.

Associate’s Degree in paralegal studies and at least five (5) years of paralegal experience performing delegated, substantive legal work support.
Experience with billing and case management software such as QuickBooks, Time Matters, and Case Map. Notary Public Certification.

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.