Under policies and procedures established by SCLS, a staff attorney provides civil litigation to low-income individuals and families residing in the state of South Carolina through limited and extended legal services. Individual case assignments are distributed among Unit Heads, Senior Staff Attorneys, Attorney II and Attorney I, and Entry Level Attorneys by the Managing Attorney according to case complexity and grant mandates.
- Provides representation to low-income individual and families in civil matters that are not fee generating.
- Maintains a caseload.
- Performs legal research and prepares memoranda, pleadings, discovery, motions, appeals, and interrogatories and keeps Managing Attorney advised of case statuses.
- Evaluates the strengths and weaknesses of cases and prepares cases for presentation in court.
- Negotiates case resolution with opposing parties, opposing attorneys and the guardian ad litems.
- Appears in State and Federal courts for motions, trials, arguments, hearings, rules to show cause, pre-trial conferences, status conferences, roster/docket sounding and appeals.Fills in for other attorneys as needed.
- Attends Unit meetings, advocates meetings, task forces, and program wide meetings.
- Meet with partner agencies and local community/agency advocates. Attends required meetings and seminars.
- Consults with other attorneys and attend staff meetings and training seminars as required.
- Maintains knowledge and skills in current case decisions and legislation.
- Reviews and answers correspondence and respond to phone calls related to the activities in the local office.
- Respond to the legal need of clients.
- Attends training sessions on current legal updates and reads legal materials to update professional knowledge.
- May supervise paralegals assigned to local office.
- Responds to request for legal opinions and legal actions from the local community.
- Organizes and maintains files and records of a confidential, complex, or otherwise sensitive nature.
- Keeps informed of new rules, regulations, and legislation pertinent to the organization.
- Reviews the work of subordinates for completeness and accuracy prior to necessary action or approval.
- Coordinates, conducts and/or participates in community outreach events.
- Completes special assignments relating to legal actions as assigned.
- Maintains accurate follow-up system to review cases when appropriate
Performs all other duties as may be requested by the Managing Attorney, General Counsel, Litigation Director or Executive Director.
Pay range and compensation package - $79,008 - Salary depend on years of experience
Equal Opportunity Statement - SCLS is an Equal Opportunity Employer that does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, creed, color, religion, alienage or national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, disability or handicap, sex, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information, arrest record, pregnancy or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws.