Law Clerk I - Court Services (1-year rotation)

Law Clerk I - Court Services (1-year rotation)

Salary

$65,705.00 Annually

Location

Statewide, SC

Job Type

FTE - Full-Time

Job Number

187940

Agency

Judicial Branch

Division

Court Services

Opening Date

04/30/2026

Closing Date

Continuous

Class Code:

AE1024

Position Number:

TBD

Normal Work Schedule:

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

Pay Grade

Unclassified

Opening Date

04/30/2026

EEO Statement

Equal Opportunity Employer

Agency Specific Application Procedures:

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 Office of Court Administration at the South Carolina Judicial Branch is seeking a motivated individuals to join their team as a Law Clerk I. This is a one (1) year rotating position.

This job bulletin is intended to fill three positions: Laurens, Richland County, and one that may be located anywhere statewide.

Under limited supervision by South Carolina Court Administration, the Law Clerk I assists a pool of retired judges working in the Circuit Court with the preparation and research of criminal and civil cases for court hearings. Assists SC Court Administration as needed with various research and support tasks.

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.

• Conducts legal research for retired judges and SC Court Administration as required.
• Coordinates directly with SC Court Administration and the county clerks of court to schedule hearings and trials held by retired judges, which are not to be conducted during a regularly scheduled term of court.
• Receives and reviews incoming mail, email, and voicemail messages as requested. Responds to all email and voicemail messages in a timely manner. Confirms that correspondence is copied to all attorneys as is appropriate. Maintains a calendar of all terms of court assigned by SC Court Administration.
• Keeps a weekly folder with dockets, calendars, and all case notes, along with all orders that are signed for all assigned terms of court.
• Weekly preparation for cases by attending roster meetings, status conferences, and jury qualifications as required by judges. Receives case files and communicates with solicitors/attorneys to receive proposed voir dire questions, witness lists, and any outstanding motions. Prepares case memos with information received from files and attorneys as directed by assigned judges.
• Responsible for the set up and break down of courtrooms. Handles all judicial law books, notebooks, and computer equipment. Prepares and researches all incoming orders and maintains a list of all matters under advisement, which are to be reported monthly by each judge.
• Read and have knowledge of all incoming advance sheets.
• Assist other lawyers and staff at SC Court Administration with various duties and projects as assigned.
• Perform all other duties as assigned.

Minimum and Additional Requirements

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE)

• Juris Doctorate degree from an American Bar Association (ABA) accredited school of law and admission to or eligibility for admission to the practice of law in South Carolina within first year of employment.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

Knowledge:

• The laws and rules of South Carolina; and
• Theories of legal research, including the use of Westlaw and Lexus.

Skills:

• Microsoft Word;
• Microsoft Excel;
• Microsoft Outlook;
• WebEx;
• Legal writing;
• Being detail-oriented; and
• Time management.

Ability to:

• Exercise a high level of discretion;
• Demonstrate a strong, consistent, and dependable work ethic;
• 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 courteously and effectively, both orally and in writing; and
• Establish and maintain good working relationships with judges, SCJB staff, attorneys, court personnel, and other key stakeholders.

Other characteristics:

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

Preferred Qualifications

DESIRABLE REQUIREMENTS (EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE)

• Experience within the South Carolina Circuit courts as a clerk, extern, intern, Judicial Observational and Experience participant or other position. Participation in moot court, mock trial, legal clinic or other relevant practical experience.

Additional Comments

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

Do you have a Juris Doctorate degree or its equivalent from an American Bar Association accredited law school, or are a candidate to receive such degree in Spring 2026?

• Yes
• No

02

Are you a member in good standing of the South Carolina Bar, or planning to sit for the South Carolina Bar Exam in July 2026?

• Yes
• No

03

How did you learn about this position?

• NEOGOV
• LINKEDIN
• FACEBOOK
• TWITTER
• INDEED
• INTERNAL JOB POSTING
• SCJB EMPLOYEE
• COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY
• OTHER

04

Please indicate which location are you interested in applying for?

• Laurens
• Richland
• Open statewide

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.