General Counsel

SUMMARY STATEMENT:  General Counsel is responsible for overseeing legal matters, providing legal advice, guidance, and support to ensure compliance with relevant laws and regulations. General Counsel will provide strategic insights and assist in managing risks and protecting the company's interests in addition to overseeing professional responsibility issues.  Provide staff support to assigned committees and sections. This position reports to the Executive Director.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:

1. Monitor and stay updated on relevant laws, regulations, and industry standards that impact SC Bar. Advise management on compliance requirements and ensure SC Bar adheres to applicable legal frameworks.
2. Prepare rule change petitions for the South Carolina Supreme Court.
3. Review, draft, negotiate, and execute various contracts and agreements including client contracts, vendor agreements, and partnership agreements. Ensure compliance with contract terms and conditions, protecting SC Bar’s interests.
4. Oversee litigation matters working with external counsel when necessary. Mitigate legal risks by identifying potential disputes and implementing appropriate strategies. 
5. Oversee professional responsibility issues including the Ethics Helpline. 
6. Provide support to the following committees and sections and other entities as assigned: Professional Responsibility Committee (and its subcommittees), Ethics Advisory Committee, Civil Rights Section and Professional Liability Committee. Support includes scheduling meetings with members, drafting memos and petitions to the House of Delegates. Schedule an annual meeting with Committee Chairs for annual preparation and review of their programs and needs. Prepare committee goals for review. 
7. Provide case summaries for E-Blast.
8. Contribute content to the SC Lawyer magazine, as needed.
9. Prepare annual budget for risk management.
10. Present CLE sessions on risk management. Prepare and participate as directed in the Bar Convention as moderator, presenter, and other duties.
    

11. Other duties as assigned. 

    
    

    DESIRED ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS:  Experience in a state bar association, private sector, and government. PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Ability to lift up to 20 pounds. Must be able to remain in a stationary position 50% of the time and occasionally move about inside the office to access file cabinets, office equipment and meet with staff. Ability for overnight travel throughout the state and to national conferences and meetings.

    
    

    REQUIRED EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS:  Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school and admitted to practice law in South Carolina; 5 years of experience as a practicing attorney with a focus on ethics, corporate law, commercial transactions, and regulatory compliance. Previous experience in a General Counsel or senior legal leadership role is highly desirable. Exceptional communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills. Proven ability to think strategically, analyze complex legal issues, and provide practical solutions. Demonstrated leadership and management abilities, with the capacity to collaborate effectively. High level of integrity and ethical standards.

    We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, ethnicity, religion, color, sex (including childbirth, breast feeding and related medical conditions), gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, uniform service member and veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, age, protected medical condition, genetic information, disability or any other protected status in accordance with all applicable federal, state and local laws.