Staff Attorney III - COA

Staff Attorney III - COA

Salary

$88,434.00 - $109,816.00 Annually

Location

Richland County, SC

Job Type

FTE - Full-Time

Job Number

193482

Agency

Judicial Branch

Division

Court of Appeals

Opening Date

09/29/2026

Closing Date

Continuous

Class Code:

AE1019

Position Number:

60003989

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

Job Responsibilities

Under limited supervision, provides support to the Chief Staff Attorney and Deputy Chief Staff Attorney in managing the day-to-day operations of the Staff Attorneys Office. Responsible for assisting the Court of Appeals judges by independently reviewing and researching complex direct appeal cases, post-conviction relief petitions, and motions, including expedited motions, and using independent sound discretion to provide written and oral recommendations to the Court.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE POSITION

• Supervises the Staff Attorneys Office, consisting of fifteen attorneys, in the absence of the Chief Staff Attorney and Deputy Chief Staff Attorney. Reviews any emergency motion or petition filed with the Court and immediately communicates with the Chief Staff Attorney or Deputy Chief Staff Attorney to determine the proper resolution of the filing, which may include individually meeting with a judge and drafting a proposed order for the judges signature resolving the emergency filing. Communicates with the Chief Staff Attorney and Deputy Chief Staff Attorney upon their return regarding any non-emergency issues.
• Manages the staff attorneys review of expedited appeals from the family court by conducting an initial review of each case, assigning the cases to a staff attorney, providing training and guidance to the assigned staff attorney, and revising memoranda and proposed opinions prior to final approval by the Chief Staff Attorney or Deputy Chief Staff Attorney. Maintains an Excel spreadsheet of all expedited cases in circulation and notifies the Chief Staff Attorney if there are any issues relating to the Courts timely review of expedited appeals. Runs reports on C-Track to ensure the expedited cases are timely sent to the staff attorneys from the Clerks Office and follows up with the case handler as needed and/or reports any timeliness issues to the Chief Staff Attorney. Contacts the docketing case handler as necessary to request additional documents needed for the Courts review of the expedited cases.
• Manages the staff attorneys review of all post-conviction relief cases by conducting an initial review of each case, determining the complexity of the issues raised, and assigning the cases to an appropriate staff attorney. Maintains an Excel spreadsheet of all post-conviction relief cases sent to the staff attorneys for review, including assignments to the staff attorneys and notes regarding the complexity of the issues raised. Provides training to new staff attorneys on how to review post-conviction relief cases.
• Manages the staff attorneys review of petitions for rehearing by training new staff attorneys on the office procedures for reviewing petitions for rehearing and motions for costs, notifying the staff attorneys of upcoming deadlines, reviewing memoranda prepared for the Court, coordinating with the Clerks Office to make certain the staff attorneys memoranda and proposed orders are available to the court prior to and during the Courts monthly agenda meeting, reviewing the staff attorneys entries of items placed on the Courts agenda for accuracy, and verifying the orders are ultimately signed and filed.
• Provides counsel and advice to less experienced staff attorneys regarding the analysis of their assigned cases and the preparation of memoranda and proposed opinions and orders. Assists less experienced staff attorneys on questions of policy and procedure. Updates the staff attorney manual, which is used by staff attorneys and law clerks for training purposes, as requested by the Chief Staff Attorney and Deputy Chief Staff Attorney to make sure it is current with existing policies and case law.
• Independently reviews and analyzes complex and difficult direct appeals and post-conviction relief petitions filed with the Court. Reads and reviews case file for each assigned case, reviews underlying order to determine whether order is immediately appealable to the Court of Appeals, and reads and reviews appellate briefs and the record on appeal. Conducts preliminary legal research on the issues raised in the briefs or petitions, including, but not limited to, a review of the cases cited in the brief or petitions. Researches the issues presented on appeal using Westlaw, the South Carolina Code of Laws, and other legal authority. Independently determines a proposed recommendation for each case or a recommendation that the case be scheduled for oral argument. Uses sound discretion and legal knowledge to independently draft a bench memorandum for each assigned direct appeal case, which includes a summary of the relevant facts, a listing of the issues raised on appeal, citations and analysis of relevant case law, and an analysis and interpretation of the law that applies the law to the facts of the case. Independently drafts proposed dispositional opinions and orders resolving each case to submit to the court for consideration, review, and ultimate filing with the clerk of court. Self-edits all work product, reading the documents and reviewing substance, form, grammar, and style. Distributes approximately five cases for consideration by the Court each month by uploading memoranda and opinions in C-Track and electronically circulating the opinions to the Court.
• Peer-edits other staff attorneys work product. Finally edits other staff attorneys work product in the absence of the Chief Staff Attorney or Deputy Chief Staff Attorney. Spades opinions and orders to ensure the legal authority is correctly cited, the authority stands for the proposition it is cited for, or if a direct quote, the quote is exact.
• Assists the Chief Staff Attorney and Deputy Chief Staff Attorney in preparing for distribution of staff attorney memoranda and proposed opinions to the court for consideration, including training new staff attorneys on editing and procedures, entering events on C-Track and running reports to ensure the cases are placed on the submitted roster, assigning staff attorneys to review and spade all proposed opinions.
• Independently responds to questions and concerns regarding assigned cases and motions from the Court. Prepares written responses, including addendums to memoranda previously submitted to the Court, as needed. Uses discretion to respond to questions from the Clerks Office regarding assigned cases and other matters pending before the Court.
• Reviews assigned motions, included expedited motions that contain legal questions that must be considered by a judge. Provides guidance and advice on legal issues and other questions sent to the Staff Attorneys Office from the Clerk of Court. Orally presents proposed recommendations for the resolution of motions and other legal questions to Chief Staff Attorney, Deputy Chief Staff Attorney, or the Court. Drafts memoranda summarizing issues and recommendations as requested. Works after hours to handle emergency motions when necessary. Other duties as assigned by the Chief Staff Attorney..

Minimum and Additional Requirements

• Juris Doctorate Degree from an American Bar Association (ABA) accredited school of law and three (3) years of experience in a staff attorney or related attorney position.
• Member of the South Carolina Bar in good standing.
• Must possess excellent computer skills and proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (e.g. Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.).

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

• Knowledge of theories, practices, and principles of effective management.
• Ability to assist in managing an office of fifteen attorneys, including the ability to prepare and give presentations and train other attorneys.
• Knowledge of South Carolina law and procedure, Westlaw, and the Bluebook System of Citation.
• Knowledge of court and staff attorney policies and procedures or similar knowledge based on prior experience in the South Carolina Judicial Department or another appellate court.
• Ability to analyze complex legal issues, to apply state/federal law and judicial decisions, and to effectively draft logical and clear legal documents.
• Ability to exercise excellent self-direction, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines.
• Ability to interact and maintain relationships with judges and ability to work in a team environment.
• Ability to listen to new ideas and recommendations from others.
• Ability to speak effectively when addressing judges and co-workers.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and use discretion in dealing with sensitive information.

Preferred Qualifications

• Five (5) years of experience as an attorney, including two (2) years of demonstrated experience supervising staff.
• Minimum of 3.2 GPA and Journal or Moot Court experience.
• Prior experience using Westlaw, the Bluebook System of Citation, and C-Track.

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.

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.