Paralegal

OUR MISSION AND VALUES The South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs (SCDCA) is the state’s consumer protection agency. Established in 1974, SCDCA is charged with protecting consumers from inequities in the marketplace through advocacy, mediation, enforcement and education. Our Consumer Advocacy Division represents the interests of South Carolina consumers in matters involving utility rates, as well as property/casualty and worker’s compensation insurance. The Division also reviews rules and regulations proposed by state and federal agencies pertaining to ratemaking and provides comments as deemed appropriate. Our attorneys and support staff play an integral role in administering and enforcing the numerous statutes under the agency’s purview.

PRIMARY PURPOSE OF YOUR ROLE SCDCA is seeking an experienced paralegal to provide administrative, technical, and legal support services for the attorneys and staff within the Advocacy Division. We’re looking for a dependable, self-starter with excellent organization and communication skills. The paralegal will assist attorneys representing the consumer interest before state and federal regulatory bodies in matters involving utility rates, as well as property and casualty insurance and worker's compensation insurance. The scope of work will include assisting in the management and organization of the Division's caseload, analyzing and summarizing voluminous documents, legal research and writing, and collaborating with SCDCA attorneys, expert consultants, and other state agencies.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES:

• Under general supervision, provides administrative, technical, and legal support services for the Advocacy Division.
• Monitors Public Service Commission meetings, filings and dockets for items relevant to the work of the Advocacy Division. Prepares summaries of filings for division attorneys.
• Drafts correspondence and routine pleadings, statements, affidavits, and/or other legal documents, as appropriate. Drafts proposed orders.
• Assists attorneys in preparing, scheduling, reviewing and organizing matters for hearings.
• Conducts legal research, identifying relevant judicial decisions, statutes and other pertinent materials.
• Ensures documents are filed and maintained in an organized filing system.
• Conducts initial reviews and prepares reports, status updates and memorandums for division attorneys regarding filings made with the Department of Insurance and rulemakings proposed by state or federal agencies.
• Ensures a good working relationship with state and federal agencies.
• Performs clerical and other tasks as required.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS: A high school diploma and relevant experience in providing administrative support for an attorney(s) or a legal office. An associate degree in paralegal studies or a bachelor’ s degree in business management, public administration, law or related field may be substituted for the required work experience.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:• Must be well organized and able to work independently

• Able to maintain effective working relationships
• Able to communicate effectively orally and in writing
• Able to perform legal research

A paralegal degree or certificate. Experience with regulatory agencies and/or administrative law courts. Intermediate to advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office and Excel. Litigation experience preferred, but not required. A background in energy law, accounting, insurance, or finance is helpful, but not required.