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.
• 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 as one of the best places to do 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 seeing a surge in entrepreneurship, while our hospitality industry continues to attract visitors from around the world. At the South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce (DEW), we are dedicated to connecting every jobseeker with their next great career opportunity. We offer a supportive environment with job security, affordable health insurance, great retirement benefits, and work-life balance. If you enjoy making a difference and working in a dynamic, collaborative setting, this could be the perfect opportunity for you!

Job Description

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

• Delivering clear, practical guidance on a wide range of federal and state legal matters.
• Supporting the Human Resources Division on employment-law issues.
• Partnering with 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 with employers on tax-related disputes and advocating on the agency’s behalf in related proceedings.
• Providing proactive legal insight to help identify risk, strengthen internal processes, and inform strategic decisions.
• Leading and developing a team of attorneys and support staff.
• Taking on additional assignments as needed 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.
• Self-motivated to succeed by providing excellent client service and representation.

Additional Comments

Supplemental questions are considered part of your official application. Please 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.