Job Details

Law Clerk I

The Office of Court Administration at the South Carolina Judicial Branch is seeking a motivated individual 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 include:

• 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 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 of the laws and rules of South Carolina; and theories of legal research, including the use of Westlaw and Lexus.
• Skills in 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.

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:

• 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.