Family Court Law Clerk (1 year rotation)

Family Court Law Clerk (1 year rotation)

Salary

$67,019.00 Annually

Location

Richland County, SC

Job Type

FTE - Full-Time

Job Number

192771

Agency

Judicial Branch

Division

Family Court

Opening Date

09/11/2026

Closing Date

Continuous

Class Code:

AE1033

Position Number:

TBD

Normal Work Schedule:

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

Pay Grade

Unclassified

EEO Statement

Equal Opportunity Employer

Agency Specific Application Procedures:

Interested persons meeting the required qualifications may submit an application at www.careers.sc.gov. All questions on the application must be completed and should include all work history and education. A resume may be included but will not be accepted or reviewed in lieu of an incomplete application. Supplemental questions are considered a part of your application and must be completed.

Veteran Preference Statement

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

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Job Responsibilities

The South Carolina Judicial Branch is proactively seeking legal professionals for the upcoming year 2027-28, to join our team as a Law Clerk I in Family Court. This will be aa one year rotation position.

This job bulletin will be used to fill positions in the following circuits:

Circuit 5- Kershaw, Richland

Circuit 7-Cherokee, Spartanburg

Circuit 9-Berkeley, Charleston

Circuit 10- Anderson, Oconee

Circuit 11-Edgefield, Lexington, McCormick, Saluda

Circuit 13-Greenville, Pickens

Circuit 14- Allendale, Beaufort, Colleton, Hampton, Jasper

Circuit 15- Georgetown, Horry

Under supervision of the circuit Chief Judge for Administrative Purposes (CJAP), the Law Clerk I will assist the Family Court Judges in their assigned circuit with the preparation, research, and case management of Family Court cases. This is an opportunity to be involved in challenging, interesting, and meaningful work in a collaborative environment supported by leadership committed to preserving the integrity of the South Carolina judicial system and the confidence of the public in the administration of justice.

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.

• Reviews the case records as assigned by the CJAP to ensure proceedings can go forward. Communicates with attorneys and parties to ensure all necessary actions have been completed prior to hearings and trials.
• Conducts legal research and analysis and provides a summary of their findings.
• Receives and reviews incoming mail, email, and voicemail messages as requested and directed. Responds to all email and voicemail messages in a timely manner. Confirms that correspondence is copied to all attorneys as is appropriate. Ensures that parties are adhering to statutory requirements and abiding by court rules and orders.
• Drafts legal memoranda with information received from files and attorneys as directed by assigned judges.
• Responds to and tracks case-related requests and communications from attorneys, parties, County Clerks of Court and their employees, guardians ad litem, and other relevant stakeholders.
• Prepares and maintains confidential data and reports. Prepares and searches all incoming orders and maintains a list of all Matters Under Advisement for each judge in their circuit, which are to be reported monthly by each judge.
• Reads and has knowledge of all incoming advance sheets. Notifies judge of new case law that may impact current or pending cases.
• Attends hearings, trials, and other courtroom proceedings as requested. Travels to court proceedings statewide as requested. Responsible for the set up and break down of courtrooms. Manages all judicial law books, notebooks, and computer equipment.
• Maintains a monthly calendar of court dates and weekly schedules. Keeps a weekly folder with dockets, calendar, and all case notes. Communicates with Court Services as it pertains to matters to include Judges Scheduling, Court Reporting, Court Interpreting, data gathering and reporting, legal questions, technology issues, etc.
• All other duties as assigned.

Minimum and Additional Requirements

• Juris Doctorate degree from an American Bar Association (ABA) accredited school of law AND admitted to the practice of law in South Carolina; OR
• At the time of hire, has a pending application seeking admission under Rule 402 of the South Carolina Appellate Court Rules (SCACR), or a pending application seeking admission in another jurisdiction which has adopted the UBE.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

Knowledge of:

• Laws and rules of South Carolina Rules;
• The theories of legal research; and
• West Law and the Attorney Information System (AIS).

Ability to:

• Interpret and apply state/federal law and judicial decisions;
• Analyze facts and express conclusions clearly, logically, and concisely;
• Prepare orders, memos, and other legal documents;
• Effectively plan and organize work activities and prioritize tasks;
• Work independently in meeting deadlines;
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing;
• Establish and maintain good working relationships with judges, SCJB staff, attorneys, court personnel, and other clients/customers; and
• Maintain a high level of discretion.

Skills:

• Excellent computer skills and proficiency in Microsoft applications (Word, Excel, Outlook);
• Demonstration of a strong, consistent, and dependable work ethic;
• Detail-oriented and possess excellent time-management skills; and
• Strong writing skills.

Others:

• Must have dependable transportation and be able to travel; and
• Must be able to lift and move files and/or boxes weighing 15-20 pounds.

Additional Comments

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.

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

What is your highest completed level of education?

• Juris Doctorate
• Masters Degree
• Bachelors Degree
• Associate Degree
• Some College but No Degree
• High School Diploma
• GED
• None of the above

02

Are you admitted to (or eligible for admission to) the South Carolina Bar?

• Yes
• No

03

In what Circuits are you interested in working? Select all that apply

• Circuit 5- Kershaw, Richland
• Circuit 7-Cherokee, Spartanburg
• Circuit 9-Berkeley, Charleston
• Circuit 10- Anderson, Oconee
• Circuit 11-Edgefield, Lexington, McCormick, Saluda
• Circuit 13-Greenville, Pickens
• Circuit 14- Allendale, Beaufort, Colleton, Hampton, Jasper
• Circuit 15- Georgetown, Horry

04

Describe your experience drafting memoranda, briefs or orders.

05

Describe your proficiency with case management, including Time Matters, Outlook, Excel, or other programs.

06

Have you applied to sit for the next available Bar exam? Can you, if offered employment, provide proof of your bar application?

Required Question

Employer State of South Carolina

Agency Judicial Branch Address 1220 Senate Street

Suite 101

Columbia, South Carolina, 29201

Phone 803-734-1970

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.