Our guide is your starting point for learning how to become a paralegal in South Carolina. On this page, you will find South Carolina paralegal salary information, job outlooks, and career-focused resources to answer the most common questions about starting a career in the legal field. Begin by using the easy-to-navigate directory below.
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Table of Contents:
- Paralegal Careers
- Job Outlook in South Carolina
- Salary Outlook
- Salary by Metro Area
- Paralegal Certification
- Certification in South Carolina
- Career Quick Start Tips – How to Become a Paralegal in South Carolina
- Career Advice from Experienced Legal Professionals
- Additional Paralegal Resources
- South Carolina Paralegal Career Books
- Paralegal Job Search Websites
- South Carolina State Court Info
- Law Libraries in South Carolina
- Paralegal Associations in South Carolina
Paralegal Careers
Though most paralegals and legal assistants find employment in private law firms, corporations, government agencies, and financial institutions are also increasing their dependence on paralegal support. Law firms generally provide the greatest number of paralegal jobs in South Carolina. Additionally, larger firms such as these tend to delegate labor based on practice area, which allows paralegals to specialize in a particular field of law. Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart PC is a large international firm based in Greenville, SC with a particular focus on labor and employment law. The firm hosts 40 offices nationwide, giving paralegals some geographic opportunity as well as supporting strong demand for paralegal staff. Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP is another large law firm practicing in a wide range of legal areas from complex litigation to intellectual property and government relations. Based in Columbia, this firm offers many opportunities for paralegals to specialize in fields of interest and is a good starting point for individuals seeking a big-firm environment.
Mid-sized and smaller law firms are also good places to find paralegal jobs in South Carolina. These smaller offices generally offer a more intimate work setting. Corporations also provide consistent opportunities for paralegals and legal assistants within internal legal departments. South Carolina hosts several large national corporations known to hire paralegals such as Sonoco, SCANA Corporation, and Berkeley Electric Cooperative. Government agencies additionally demand paralegal labor and can provide opportunities for recently graduated paralegals within the state.
Job Outlook in South Carolina
Projected Job Growth
15.7%
Paralegals in South Carolina from 2016-20261
As law firms seek to reduce to the cost of providing legal services, tasks previously assigned to attorneys may be allocated instead to paralegals, thus expanding the role of paralegals and legal assistants. In May 2017, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported 5,350 paralegals and legal assistants employed in South Carolina, a significant increase over the 4,220 paralegals and legal assistants reported in the state in May 2012.2 The Bureau of Labor Statistics has projected 15% employment growth for paralegals and legal assistants nationwide from 2016 to 2026.3 This projection is higher than the average projected growth for all US occupations and the average projected growth for other law-related occupations, estimated at 7% and 11% respectively over the same period.3
These trends are also anticipated in the South Carolina labor market, with 15.7% growth in South Carolina paralegal jobs projected from 2016 to 2026.1 The majority of these positions can be expected to come from the Midlands area of the state, which includes Columbia. Compared to its overall workforce, Columbia has the second-highest concentration of paralegals per thousand jobs in the nation.2
South Carolina Paralegal Salary Outlook
The average South Carolina paralegal salary was reported at $44,590 in May 2017.2 Though this is below the national average of $53,910, candidates may earn a higher paralegal salary in South Carolina working in urban areas.2 For example, paralegals in the Charleston area make an average salary of $50,910.3 The strong base of existing paralegal positions in the state and the positive growth trends suggest that the paralegal employment and salary outlook in South Carolina will continue to be favorable throughout the coming years.
South Carolina Paralegal Salary Info By Metro Area
A quick look at paralegal salary in South Carolina by metro area:
Metro Area | Number Employed | Average Annual Salary |
---|---|---|
Charleston-North Charleston | 1,060 | $50,910 |
Columbia | 1,890 | $44,600 |
Greenville-Anderson-Mauldin | 740 | $43,840 |
Myrtle Beach-North Myrtle Beach-Conway | 310 | $37,150 |
Spartanburg | 230 | $45,660 |
Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics as of May 2017.4
Paralegal Certification in South Carolina
There are no requirements for South Carolina paralegal certification in order to work as a paralegal in the state. Paralegals and legal assistants may perform law-related tasks under the direct supervision of a qualified attorney. As there are no South Carolina paralegal certification or training requirements, paralegals may complete on-site or on-the-job training. However, South Carolina paralegal employers demonstrate a preference for paralegals who have completed formal paralegal education.
Currently, the American Bar Association (ABA) has approved nine South Carolina paralegal programs. These programs aim to equip students with the practical skills and legal knowledge to aid lawyers in a variety of legal settings. South Carolina paralegal programs that do not have ABA approval are also offered throughout the state. Upon completion of a paralegal degree program, prospective paralegals are strongly encouraged to seek national certification. The National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA) and the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) offer voluntary certification programs for paralegals which are designed to demonstrate a uniform degree of professional competency.
South Carolina Certification
Though South Carolina paralegal certification is not mandated by state law, paralegal employers tend to prefer candidates who have attended one of the paralegal schools in South Carolina and who have earned professional credentials. The South Carolina State Bar awards a form of voluntary certification, SC Certified Paralegal, for paralegals working in South Carolina who have achieved the Certified Legal Assistant (CLA)/Certified Paralegal (CP) designation from NALA, the Professional Paralegal (PP) designation from NALS, The Association for Legal Professionals, or the PACE-Registered Paralegal (RP) designation from the NFPA. You can read more about the credentials required to become an SC Certified Paralegal through the South Carolina Bar.
You can get a better idea of what South Carolina paralegal jobs tend to require on our jobs board. Paralegals and legal assistants in South Carolina may also wish to join one of the South Carolina paralegal associations listed below. These in-state organizations work to support the expansion of the paralegal profession by offering education and career guidance.
Career Quick Start Tips — How to Become a Paralegal in South Carolina
There are a number of paths prospective paralegals can follow to begin legal careers in South Carolina. Most South Carolina paralegals possess a combination of education and experience. Although some firms have training programs in place for less experienced paralegals, applicants are still encouraged to seek formal paralegal education and national certification. You can learn more about paralegal schools in South Carolina on our state schools page. You can also learn more about voluntary national certification with our guide Steps to Become a Paralegal.
Career Advice from Experienced Legal Professionals
Paralegal Resources
Paralegal careers can be personally rewarding as paralegals are frequently offered the chance to make a difference for their firms and for their firms’ clients. To succeed in the paralegal field, you must have the right resources available at the right time. The following South Carolina paralegal career resources can help you get off to the right start.
![Carolina Carolina](/uploads/1/2/4/6/124696076/896020713.png)
South Carolina Paralegal Career Books
- A Guide to South Carolina Legal Research and Citation – Now in its 3rd edition, this text by Paula Gail Benson provides paralegals and other legal professionals with a comprehensive yet concise guide to legal research in South Carolina. Divided into two parts, beginning with legal research then moving to legal citation, this book covers all major sources of law and citation forms, focusing on those unique to South Carolina.
- The US Notary Law Primer – Paralegals frequently assume notary duties in the course of their day-to-day work. This overview of notary law in the US provides those performing notarial acts with a quick reference for rules and procedures. Also included are helpful tips that notaries and paralegals can use in practice.
- Marital Litigation in South Carolina: Substantive Law – Though titled with a focus on marital law, this text covers all aspects of family law in South Carolina. The book includes analysis on legislative changes and completed cases. The text is now in its 4th edition.
- Guide to South Carolina Criminal Law and Procedure – Written around the structure of the South Carolina criminal justice system, this text is a helpful guide to understanding South Carolina criminal law and the procedures for interested parties, from police agencies to the courts. Jurisdiction and sentencing guidelines are also discussed. This is a particularly useful reference text for litigation and criminal defense paralegals.
Paralegal Job Search Websites for South Carolina
- South Carolina Bar – The South Carolina Bar maintains a Career Center that frequently posts paralegal jobs in South Carolina.
- Richland County Bar Association – The Richland County Bar Association also posts South Carolina paralegal jobs, with a focus on the Columbia area.
- Paralegal411 jobs board – For additional paralegal jobs in South Carolina, be sure to visit our jobs board.
- Judicial.State.SC.us – The South Carolina Judicial Department maintains a home site for all courts in the South Carolina state system. From this portal visitors can access the South Carolina Supreme Court, Trial Courts, and Court of Appeals, including e-filing systems and court calendars. The site also includes research tools such as recent opinions, past case histories, and court forms.
- South Carolina Supreme Court Library – Hosting over 40,000 print volumes, the South Carolina Supreme Court Library collections focus on sources of South Carolina law. The library is open to legal professionals and the general public and is located in Columbia.
- Coleman Karesh Law Library at the University of South Carolina School of Law – Also in Columbia, the Coleman Karesh Law Library is the largest law library in the state of South Carolina, with over 500,000 volumes. In addition to sources of South Carolina law, the collections contain research materials for US, foreign, international, and comparative law. Bar members may apply for overnight checkout privileges for single volumes.
- Charleston Association of Legal Assistants – Founded in 1982, the Charleston Association of Legal Assistants seeks to promote the paralegal profession. An affiliate of the National Association of Legal Assistants, Inc. (NALA), the organization offers member benefits such as professional networking, continuing education seminars, and community service events. Annual dues are $40 for full members, $50 for associate members, and $30 for student members.
- Palmetto Paralegal Association – Since 1988 the Palmetto Paralegal Association has been serving Columbia-area paralegals and legal professionals. Members may participate in monthly meetings and continuing education opportunities as well as networking events. Annual dues are $85 for voting members and $30 for student members.
- South Carolina Upstate Paralegal Association – An affiliate of the National Association of Legal Assistants, Inc. (NALA), the South Carolina Upstate Paralegal Association holds regular monthly meetings and biannual seminars that focus on professional development. The association also promotes participation in pro bono service to the public. Annual dues are $75 for active and associate members and $15 for student members.
South Carolina Court Info
Law Libraries in South Carolina
Paralegal Associations in South Carolina
References:
1. Projections Central: http://www.projectionscentral.com/Projections/LongTerm
2. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2017 Occupational Employment and Wages, Paralegals and Legal Assistants: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes232011.htm
3. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Paralegals and Legal Assistants: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/Legal/Paralegals-and-legal-assistants.htm#tab-5
4. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2017 State Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates, South Carolina: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_sc.htm
5. American Bar Association: https://www.americanbar.org/groups/paralegals/paralegal-resource-directory/
1. Projections Central: http://www.projectionscentral.com/Projections/LongTerm
2. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2017 Occupational Employment and Wages, Paralegals and Legal Assistants: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes232011.htm
3. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Paralegals and Legal Assistants: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/Legal/Paralegals-and-legal-assistants.htm#tab-5
4. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2017 State Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates, South Carolina: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_sc.htm
5. American Bar Association: https://www.americanbar.org/groups/paralegals/paralegal-resource-directory/
Follow the step by step process or choose what situation that best describes you:
Law Careers in South Carolina
According to the South Carolina Bar, the organization started as an organization of 200 lawyers in 1884. In 2018, the bar has over 16,000 members. The South Carolina Labor Department says that lawyers in the state have a bright outlook statewide over the next decade, with an expectation of an average of 1725 jobs for lawyers available from 2016 to 2026, an increase of 11.2 percent. The South Carolina Department of Employment & Workforce says that as of 2018, lawyers in the state earned an average annual salary of $79,520, with experienced lawyers earning up to $132.620 annually. If you would like to become a practicing lawyer and bar member in South Carolina, read on.
Get Your South Carolina Undergrad Pre-Law Major
The South Carolina Office of Bar Admissions has not mandated any undergraduate education necessary prior to law school education for admission to the state’s bar. The office does, however, mandate that you graduate from a law school approved by the American Bar Association (ABA). Because the ABA requires that you have at least a bachelor’s degree before being admitted to any ABA-approved law school, it follows, then, that you must complete undergraduate education.
Accreditation
Make sure that the undergraduate institution from which you graduate is accredited by an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Requirements and Standards
There are no strict guidelines on courses that you must take as an undergraduate. Some students have found that the following types of courses taken as an undergraduate have helped them the most when they get to law school: criminal justice, economics, political science and government, history, world cultures, communications and philosophy.
Degree Options
You may receive a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Science (BS) in any major you choose. Often, majors taken from the above-mentioned course areas are the most helpful to students once they reach law school.
Featured Program
Washington University School of Law, Top-20 law school by U.S. News & World Report - 1-Year Online Master of Legal Studies, Bachelor's Required
Rasmussen College - Online Paralegal Associate Degree and Post-Degree Certificate Programs
Pepperdine School of Law - Online Master of Legal Studies Program, Bachelor's Required
American University - Online Master of Legal Studies- No GRE/ LSAT Req'd, Four Concentrations Available, Bachelor's Required
Hofstra University - Online M.A in American Legal Studies and LL.M. in American Law
Rasmussen College - Online Paralegal Associate Degree and Post-Degree Certificate Programs
Pepperdine School of Law - Online Master of Legal Studies Program, Bachelor's Required
American University - Online Master of Legal Studies- No GRE/ LSAT Req'd, Four Concentrations Available, Bachelor's Required
Hofstra University - Online M.A in American Legal Studies and LL.M. in American Law
LSAT (Law School Admission Test) in South Carolina
The next step along the way to becoming a South Carolina lawyer is to pass the LSAT (Law School Admission Test). All ABA-approved law schools nationwide require that you pass this six-hour-long standardized test prior to acceptance.
How to prepare
The LSAT website supplies numerous study aids free of charge. These include practice tests along with samples questions and answer explanations. If you would like more help in preparing for the LSAT, South Carolina resources include:
LSAT Exam Prep Courses in South Carolina:
LSAT Exam Prep Courses in South Carolina:
- Online LSAT Prep Course, USC University Test Prep, online
- LSAT Exam Prep Program, University of South Carolina, Columbia
- Ultimate LSAT Prep Package, Cambridge LSAT, online
- LSAT Prep, TestMasters, Columbia
Exam content
The LSAT is made up of five 35-minute sections containing multiple-choice questions. Only four of these sections count towards your LSAT score, but you will not know which section does not count, so treat every section as if it counts. Sections include Reading Comprehension, Analytical Reasoning, Logical Reasoning and Writing a 35-minute essay. Although the writing section also does not count towards your LSAT score, all law schools that you apply to receive a copy of the essay you write – so make sure to do your best work.
Application process
Applications are processed online by the Law School Admission Council when you sign up to take the LSAT. It is given in November, January, March and June, on Saturdays and Mondays. The following centers across South Carolina offer LSAT testing:
- College of Charleston, 66 George St, Charleston, SC 29424-0001
- University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208
- Furman University, 3300 Poinsett Highway, Greenville, SC 29613-6162
- South Carolina State University, 300 College St NE, Orangeburg, SC 29117-0001
- Winthrop University, 119 Tillman Hall, Rock Hill, SC 29733
Receiving Your Score
Expect to receive your LSAT scores by mail about 21 days post-test. The lowest you can score is 120, and the highest, 180. Average LSAT scores of new admittees to South Carolina ABA-approved law schools include:
- Charleston School of Law: 146
- University of South Carolina School of Law: 154
Go to Law School in South Carolina
Featured Law School:
University of Dayton
Campus Locations:Online
Programs: Online Hybrid Juris Doctor: ABA-approved JD program
Campus Locations:Online
Programs: Online Hybrid Juris Doctor: ABA-approved JD program
Law School Application process
The next step in becoming a lawyer in South Carolina is to apply to an ABA-approved law school. You need not apply only to South Carolina-based ABA-approved law schools – you may attend any law school nationwide, as long as it holds ABA approval, under South Carolina’s bar admission rules. There are over 200 such schools, listed here.
Credential Assembly Service
All ABA-approved law schools nationwide require that you utilize the Law School Admission Council’s Credential Assembly Service (CAS) when you apply for enrollment. It is a great help to you in collecting your undergraduate college transcripts, gathering letters of recommendation from references, and gathering evaluations of your work from references. The CAS will create up to five law school reports to send to up to five ABA-approved law schools to which you apply.
Accreditation
The South Carolina Office of Bar Admissions says that you must receive a Juris Doctor (JD) or Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree from a law school that was approved by the Council of Legal Education of the American Bar Association at the time you received the degree, in order to be eligible to take the state’s bar exam. If you graduated from a non-ABA-approved law school in the United States, or a foreign law school, you are not eligible to take the South Carolina bar examination.
ABA-Accredited Law Schools in South Carolina
Two schools in South Carolina hold ABA-accreditation:
- Charleston School of Law, 81 Mary Street, PO Box 535, Charleston, SC 29402
- University of South Carolina School of Law, 701 Main Street, Columbia, SC 29208
Course requirements
Law school courses that are usually common to all ABA-approved institutions include:
- Civil procedure
- Constitutional law
- Contracts
- Criminal law
- Legal research
- Legal writing
- Property
- Torts
Online Law Degrees
- View Online and Campus Law and Legal Studies Programs
- (For students who choose to focus on a subset of law other than an attorney.)
Internship
Depending upon your law school’s requirements, you may be exposed to a practical situation in which you work in the law field. During most internships or externships, you work about eight hours weekly at law firms, government agencies, or non-profit organizations. Work usually consists of helping lawyers in research and drafting, and learning lawyer skills through observation (including negotiation, counseling and interviewing). You will check in from time to time with law school faculty to review your performance and will receive a grade on your experience.
Trial Experiences
Under Rule 403 of the South Carolina Appellate Court Rules, before appearing alone in any matter in any South Carolina court, you must complete four trial experiences. After completing half the credits you will need for graduation, you may, as a law student, begin to accumulate your necessary trial experiences. Internships, externships and the like may also help you in this regard. Trial experiences you must complete are:
- Observation of or actual participation in one civil or criminal jury trial in the Circuit Court of SC or in the US District Court for the District of SC. This must include:
- An opening statement
- A closing statement
- Direct examination and cross examination of at least two witnesses
- Observation of one video trial approved by the Supreme Court of SC.
- Observation of one Alternative Dispute Resolution in a Court of Common Pleas, Family Court or Federal District Court Matter, or observation of one video of an Alternative Dispute Resolution experience approved by the Supreme Court of SC
- Two day in court experiences selected from the Court of Common Pleas, the Court of General Sessions, Family Court, or a state/federal Administrative Law Court. Must include at least four hours per day for two days.
Once you have completed each of your Trial Experiences, you must have this Certificate completed by the court clerk, judge and others involved.
J.D. Degree Programs
You must have a JD or LLB under South Carolina rules before bar admission will be considered. Often, dual degree programs are offered, which increase your marketability as a lawyer after graduation. They may include:
- Law and Accountancy (J.D./M.ACC.)
- Law and Earth and Environmental Resources Management (J.D./M.E.E.R.M)
- Law and Economics (J.D./M.A.)
- Law and Health Administration (J.D./M.H.A.)
- Law and Human Resources (J.D./M.H.R.)
- Law and International Business Administration (J.D./I.M.B.A.)
- Law and Public Administration (J.D./M.P.A)
- Law and Master of Criminology & Criminal Justice (J.D./M.A.)
- Law with Master of Environmental Law and Policy from Vermont Law School (J.D./M.E.L.P.)
- Law and Master of Mass Communication (J.D./M.M.C.)
- Law and Social Work (J.D./M.S.W.)
Take the South Carolina State Bar Exam
If you are at least 21 years old and have completed steps 1, 2 and 3, you are now eligible to take the South Carolina bar exam. Although the South Carolina Office of Bar Admissions places no limit on the number of times you can take the state bar exam, after failing for three times they require that you complete additional study. You may only sit for the South Carolina bar exam one time per year.
Non-ABA approved law school graduates
If your law school was not approved by the ABA at the time you received your JD degree, you are not eligible to sit for the South Carolina bar exam.
Graduates of Foreign Law Schools
If you received your law degree from a law school outside of the United States, you are not eligible to sit for the South Carolina bar exam.
Preparation and Exam Content
The National Conference of Bar Examiners website offers helpful, free study aids for the Uniform Bar Exam, the bar exam test of choice in South Carolina. It includes the Multistate Bar Examination, more commonly known as the MBE, the Multistate Essay Exam (MEE) and the Multistate Performance Test (MPT). Additional preparation help for the bar exam in South Carolina is available through:
- Bar Academic Success Program, University of South Carolina School of Law
- South Carolina Bar Review, Quimbee
Application Process
You must file the correct Application for Admission to the South Carolina Bar. Most examination applicants will file Part A online and print Part B to complete and mail to the Office of Bar Admissions. Along with Part B, you must also file:
- Coversheet
- Verification of Application for Admission
- Authorization and Release
- Original/certified copy of birth certificate (filed with Part A)
- Official proof of undergraduate degree and other degrees received (other than law degrees)
- Official proof of receipt of JD or LLB degree
- Three current original character affidavits, notarized
- Filing fee of $1000 if filed on time:
- For July exam – must be filed between Dec 1 to January 10; if filed from Jan 11 to 31, the filing fee increases to $1500
- For February exam- must be filed between August 1 to August 31. If filed from September 1 to September 30, fee increases to $1500.
Mail everything to Office of Bar Admissions, Supreme Court of South Carolina, P.O. Box 11330, Columbia, SC 29211.
Pass Rates
If you take the February bar exam, expect to receive your scores via mail within eight weeks. If you take the July exam, scores usually take 12 weeks to reach you. The Supreme Court of South Carolina published the following bar exam results from recent bar administrations, noting the percentage of applicants from state law schools who passed the exam:
- July 2018:
- Overall pass rate: 63.91%
- Students from Charleston School of Law: 43.48 %
- Students from University of South Carolina School of Law: 76.28 %
- Students from Other Law Schools: 63.58%
Course of Study on South Carolina Law
After you pass the bar exam and before you can become a member of the South Carolina Bar, you must pass a video Course of Study on South Carolina Law. This consists of 11 modules on SC topics such as:
After you pass the bar exam and before you can become a member of the South Carolina Bar, you must pass a video Course of Study on South Carolina Law. This consists of 11 modules on SC topics such as:
- Real Property
- Family Law
- Torts/Conflicts of Laws
- Workers Comp
- Insurance Law
- Business Partnerships and Entities
- Civil Procedure/Evidence
- Trusts and Estates
- Uniform Commercial Code Article 2
- Criminal Law
- Ethics/Professional Responsibility
Multistate Professional Responsibility Exam (MPRE)
You must also pass the Multistate Professional Responsibility Exam (MPRE) with a scaled score of at least 77 within four years of the date you file your application for bar admission in South Carolina. The test is given in March, August and November. For more information or to schedule the MPRE, visit the National Conference of Bar Examiners website.
Admission on Motion
South Carolina does not provide admission on motion (that is, admission without examination) for those already licensed as lawyers elsewhere. Likewise, they do not have reciprocal admission with any other jurisdiction. The exception to this rule is if you are a dean or a tenured professor at the University of South Carolina School of Law and meet the following conditions:
- You have been a licensed lawyer and bar member in another state for at least five years
- You have been a full-time, continuous member of the law school faculty with rank of assistant professor or higher for the past three academic years
- You have been recommended for bar admission by the Dean, the President of the University of South Carolina or the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Charleston School of Law
Limited Licenses
South Carolina also offers limited licenses for law school clinic program teachers, in-house counsel, and for retired or inactive lawyers who are working for state legal services organizations or the bar’s pro bono program. These applicants may be issued a limited certificate to practice law.
Licensing and Admission to the Bar
Before being admitted to the South Carolina bar, you must complete a Bridge the Gap program. Sponsored by the South Carolina bar, this program focuses on practical skills used by lawyers. You will be taught about professional responsibility issues, review the South Carolina Court System and review arbitration and mediation. You may register for the program in your second and third year of law school, as well as after graduating from law school. Bridge the Gap is usually offered in Columbia and Charleston over a three-day period.
You’ve Been Admitted to the South Carolina Bar
Congratulations on your new status as a member of the South Carolina Bar! You will find that the bar offers much help in practice management, establishing your own solo practice if that is your goal, mentoring, networking, finding job opportunities, and much more. As a new member of the bar, you must participate in its mandatory New Lawyer Mentoring program. Objectives of your individualized mentoring program set forth in the Supreme Court rules are:
- To establish a clear understanding of your expectations and those of your mentor
- To introduce you to other members of the legal profession and to other legal system participants
- To make sure you thoroughly understand generally accepted professional values and behavior standards, and how to educate yourself throughout your career
- To make sure you aware of your ethical obligations and how to deal with any ethical issues that may arise
- To make sure that you are aware of the proper practices for avoiding mishandling of another’s assets, conflicts of interest, neglect of a matter and other common ethical and civil liability problems
- To help you create and implement a successful career plan
- To help you improve professional skills necessary to effectively practice law
- If you are in private practice, to help you to develop a productive and effective law practice
- To help you learn how to enjoy a healthy personal life while fulfilling your professional obligations
Legal specialty certification
The Supreme Court of South Carolina has set forth rules regarding legal specializations in the following areas:
- Bankruptcy and debtor-creditor law
- Employment and labor law
- Estate planning and probate law
- Taxation law
Each specialization has its own requirements for years that you must have been in practice, involvement, continuing legal education, examination and fees in order for you to attain certification. You may review these rules here. There are also requirements you must fulfill after certification.
Requirements for maintaining license
In order to maintain your law license in South Carolina, you must complete 14 hours of Continuing Legal Education (CLE) per year. At least two of those hours must be in professional responsibility/ethics. CLE may be obtained in a variety of ways, including through live seminars, live webcasts, on-demand seminars, publications, teleseminars and course books direct. For more information, visit the CLE section of the SCBAR website.
Court Systems in South Carolina
The South Carolina Judicial System is structured like this:
- Supreme Court: the highest court in South Carolina, the Supreme Court has original and appellate jurisdiction. It is located at 1231 Gervais St in Columbia, and hears seven classes of appeals directly from circuit and family courts:
- Death penalty cases
- Public utility rates
- Constitutional issues
- Public bond issues
- Election laws
- Order limiting investigation by state grand jury
- Order of family court relating to abortion of a minor
- Court of Appeals: hears most appeals in the state, except for appeals within the seven classes above. Located at 1015 Sumter St. in Columbia.
- Circuit Court: South Carolina’s court of general jurisdiction-16 judicial circuits exist across the state. Also has limited appellate jurisdiction over appeals from Probate, Magistrate and Municipal Courts.
- Court of Common Pleas – civil court– hears the state’s civil cases
- Court of General Sessions – criminal court-hears the state’s criminal cases
- Family Courts: have exclusive jurisdiction of all domestic/family relationship matters, such as marriage, divorce, separation, child custody, visitation rights, termination of parental rights, adoption, support, alimony, division of marital property, and name change. Family courts also have exclusive jurisdiction over minors under age 17.
- Municipal Courts: serve counties of South Carolina and have jurisdiction over cases involving violations of a municipality’s ordinances, and over offenses under $500 fine/30 days in prison. Also may hear cases transferred from general sessions under $5000 fine/1 year in prison. These courts have no civil jurisdiction.
- Magistrate Courts: There are 319 magistrates throughout South Carolina serving all counties. They have criminal trial jurisdiction over offenses under a $500 fine/30 days in prison; hear cases transferred from general sessions that carry a $5000 fine/one year in prison; have civil jurisdiction in cases under $7,500; set bail, conduct preliminary hearings, and issue arrest and search warrants. These are not courts of record- proceedings are summary.
- Probate Courts: Found in each county in South Carolina, probate courts have jurisdiction over marriage licenses, trusts, estates, minor settlements under $25,000, guardianships of minors and incompetents, and involuntary commitments to mental institutions.
Elective membership organizations
Since you are a member of the South Carolina Bar, also think about joining another beneficial organization to your professional career as a South Carolina lawyer, such as: