Assistant Attorney General (Attorney III), Capital and Collateral Litigation

Assistant Attorney General (Attorney III), Capital and Collateral Litigation

Location

Richland County, SC

Job Type

FTE - Full-Time

Job Number

191796

Agency

Attorney Generals Office

Opening Date

08/14/2026

Closing Date

12/31/2026 5:00 PM Eastern

Class Code:

AE30

Position Number:

60009559

Normal Work Schedule:

Monday - Friday (8:30 - 5:00)

Pay Grade

GEN12

Hiring Range - Min.

$79,600.00

Hiring Range - Max.

$111,500.00

EEO Statement

Equal Opportunity Employer

Agency Specific Application Procedures:

All applicants must apply via careers.sc.gov. Failure to provide detailed and complete information will result in your application not being referred.

Veteran Preference Statement

South Carolina is making our Veterans a priority for employment in state agencies and institutions.

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Job Responsibilities

About Capital and Collateral Litigation

Performs under limited supervision professional legal work in preparing briefs, pleadings, opinions, and in representing assigned State agencies. Performs under general supervision professional legal work for the State, its subdivisions, and officials.

• Performs under general supervision professional legal work in preparing briefs, pleadings, and opinions in representing the State, its subdivisions, and officials. May be asked to prepare memos, provide research and/or participate in supporting murder litigation as needed. May also be asked to make instructional presentations. Primarily assigned to the Capital and Collateral Litigation Section, which is tasked with the handling of all murder direct appeals, primarily in the South Carolina appellate courts, and all federal habeas corpus litigation under both 28 U.S.C. §§ 2254 & 2241 involving various South Carolina crimes in the federal court system.
• Performs under general supervision professional legal work relating to capital litigation and murder appeals in the South Carolina appellate courts, including the reading of trial transcripts, research of legal issues, drafting of briefs, preparation of pleadings, and presentation of oral argument before the South Carolina appellate courts. Representation may also require admission and practice in the Supreme Court of the United States. This duty involves communication with trial and appellate counsel, traveling to other locations to examine appropriate trial exhibits, coordinating appellate work with trial counsel, ordering trial transcripts, and calendaring and scheduling work to conform to court dates. This duty involves complex death penalty litigation as well as murder appellate litigation.
• Performs under general supervision professional legal work relating to the post-conviction relief in primarily death penalty convictions, but also non-death penalty convictions as needed. Researches legal issues, prepares pleadings and responses to applications for post-conviction relief involving death penalty convictions, prepares returns, briefs, and oral arguments for appeals from the state court hearing. Makes required transportation arrangements for witnesses and death row inmates. Represents the State in the Court of Common Pleas, South Carolina appellate courts on appeal, and Supreme Court of the United States.
• Performs under general supervision professional legal work relating to federal habeas corpus relief proceedings in the Federal District Court, Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals, and the Supreme Court of the United States. Researches legal issues, prepares pleadings and responses to petitions for federal habeas corpus relief, prepares motions and responses to filings, and makes professional decisions on the handling of the case and appeal. Briefs issues before the United States Court of Appeals and completes oral arguments, if necessary. Makes required arrangements for transportation pertaining to witnesses or petitioners for purposes of court-ordered hearings. This job duty involves both death penalty matters as well as non-death penalty federal habeas corpus actions.
• Performs under general supervision professional legal work relating to federal habeas corpus relief proceedings in the Federal District Court, Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals, and the Supreme Court of the United States. Researches legal issues, prepares pleadings and responses to petitions for federal habeas corpus relief, prepares motions and responses to filings, and makes professional decisions on the handling of the case and appeal. Briefs issues before the United States Court of Appeals and completes oral arguments, if necessary. Makes required arrangements for transportation pertaining to witnesses or petitioners for purposes of court-ordered hearings. This job duty involves both death penalty matters as well as non-death penalty federal habeas corpus actions.
• Represents assigned State agencies as required by the South Carolina Attorney General. Communicates with and advises agencies, including travel to other locations for meetings or hearings.
• Performs related duties required and assigned by the Division Director and Chief of Staff, such as handling cases outside primary duty assignment.

This position also includes an excellent benefits package:

• Public Service Loan Forgiveness eligibility.
• Paid parental leave.
• Health, dental, vision, long-term disability, and life insurance for employees, spouses, and children.
• Fifteen days of annual (vacation) leave per year.
• Fifteen days of sick leave per year.
• Thirteen paid holidays.
• State Retirement Plan and Deferred Compensation Programs.

Minimum and Additional Requirements

J.D. degree and at least five years of practicing experience.

Necessary Requirement: Must be a member of the SC Bar in good standing and have satisfied 403 requirements.

Additional Requirement:

• Position will require overnight travel and occasional out-of-state travel.
• Must be able to transport files to and from court.

Preferred Qualifications

• Must be well organized and work independently.
• General supervision.
• Expectation to promptly notify the supervisor of any issues, problems, or suggestions related to job duties.

Additional Comments

DRUG SCREENING, CREDIT CHECK, DELINQUENT TAX CHECK, SLED BACKGROUND CHECK, AND GRIEVANCE CHECK REQUIRED.

THIS OFFICE IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY AND AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER.

EEOP Utilization Report available upon request.

We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities. If you have a limitation or disability that requires an accommodation during the application process, please let us know by emailing recruitment@scag.gov

Benefits for State Employees

The state of South Carolina offers eligible employees generous benefits, including health and dental insurance; retirement and savings plan options; and paid vacation and sick leave. Plus, work-life balance programs such as telecommuting and flexible work schedules are available to employees of some state agencies.

Insurance Benefits

Eligible employees may enroll in health insurance, which includes prescription coverage and wellness benefits. Other available insurance benefits include dental, vision, term life insurance, long term disability and flexible spending accounts for health and child care expenses.

Retirement Benefits

State employees are also offered retirement plan options, including defined benefit and defined contribution plans. Additionally, eligible employees may elect to participate in the South Carolina Deferred Compensation Program, which is a voluntary, supplemental retirement savings plan offering 401(k) and 457 plan options.

Workplace Benefits

State employees may also be eligible for other benefits, including tuition assistance; holiday, annual and sick leave; and discounts on purchases, travel and more.

Note: The benefits above are available to most state employees, with the exception of those in temporary positions. Employees in temporary grant and time-limited positions may be eligible for all, some or none of these benefits as benefits are associated with each position type. For these positions, contact the hiring agency to determine what benefits may be available.

01

Are you willing to accept a salary between $79,600-$111,500?

• Yes
• No

02

What is your current salary?

03

Please select all that apply:

• I have a Juris Doctorate Degree
• I am an active member of the SC Bar
• I am a Non-Active Member of the SC Bar
• I am in Good Standing with the SC Bar
• I have satisfied 403 Requirements

04

How many years of experience do you have as an experienced practicing attorney?

• No Experience
• Less than five years of experience
• Five or more years of experience

05

Please explain in detail your experience as a practicing attorney. Note: "Failure to provide detailed and complete information may result in your application not being referred."

06

Do you have any prior, pending or any grievance matters with the Office of Disciplinary Counsel, Commission on Lawyer Conduct?

• Yes
• No

07

I acknowledge that I may be required to complete a SparkHire One-Way Virtual interview as part of the hiring process if the Hiring Manager desires an interview.

• Yes
• No

08

• Please read in its entirety* I acknowledge that a resume may be attached but not substituted for completing the employment applications salary, work history, education, and reference sections. Incomplete applications will not be accepted. Is your application complete?
• Yes
• No

Required Question

Employer State of South Carolina

Agency Attorney Generals Office Address 1000 Assembly Street, Dennis Bldg.

Columbia, South Carolina, 29201

Phone 803-734-3970

The language used in this document does not create an employment contract between the employee and the agency. This document does not create any contractual rights or entitlements. The agency reserves the right to revise the content of this document, in whole or in part. No promises or assurances, whether written or oral, which are contrary to or inconsistent with the terms of this paragraph create any contract of employment.