Deputy General Counsel - Columbia

Job Responsibilities

• Serve as a trusted advisor to agency leadership, delivering clear, practical guidance on a wide range of federal and state legal matters.
• Support the Human Resources Division on employment-law issues and partner with the Unemployment Insurance Division on benefit and tax matters.
• Represent the agency before the Administrative Law Court and the S.C. Court of Appeals.
• Negotiate with employers on tax-related disputes and advocate on the agency’s behalf in related proceedings.
• Provide proactive legal insight to help identify risk, strengthen internal processes, and inform strategic decisions.
• Lead and develop a team of attorneys and support staff.
• Take on additional assignments as needed from the Chief Legal Counsel.

About Us

Business is booming in South Carolina! Experts consistently rank our state among the best for doing business. Last year, over 8,000 new jobs were created and $9.12 billion in capital investment was attracted. Cities like Greenville, Charleston, Columbia, and Rock Hill are attracting entrepreneurs, and our hospitality industry is poised for growth as tourists explore our natural beauty and accessibility. At the South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce (DEW), we connect every jobseeker with their next great career opportunity. We offer job security, affordable health insurance, great retirement benefits, and work-life balance. If you enjoy making a difference in public service, this is an exciting opportunity to join a team of dedicated professionals.

Job Description

Step into a high-impact legal leadership role that drives strategy, strengthens operations, and shapes the future of our agency. We're seeking a Deputy General Counsel who excels at handling complex legal challenges and collaborates across divisions to support critical work. Key responsibilities include:

• Delivering clear, practical guidance on federal and state legal matters to agency leadership.
• Partnering with the Human Resources Division on employment-law issues and the Unemployment Insurance Division on benefit and tax matters.
• Representing the agency before the Administrative Law Court and the S.C. Court of Appeals.
• Negotiating tax-related disputes with employers and advocating on behalf of the agency in related proceedings.
• Providing legal insights to identify risks, improve internal processes, and inform strategic decisions.
• Leading and developing a team of attorneys and support staff.
• Assuming additional assignments from the Chief Legal Counsel.

Minimum And Additional Requirements

• A Juris Doctor Degree with at least three (3) years of practicing experience.
• Must be a member and in good standing with the South Carolina Bar.

Preferred Qualifications

• Excellent discretion and judgment when managing legal matters.
• Experience supervising other attorneys and staff.
• Demonstrated ability to discuss and negotiate complex legal matters with adverse parties.
• Organized and able to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Proven ability to provide excellent client service and representation.

Additional Comments

Supplemental questions are considered part of your official application. Complete the State application to include all current and previous work history and education. A resume will not be accepted nor reviewed to determine if an applicant has met the qualifications for the position.