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Posted: January 14, 2026 (1 day ago)

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Assistant Attorney General (Attorney II) - Capital and Collateral Litigation

State of South Carolina

Attorney General's Office

Fresh

Location

South Carolina, 29210

Salary

Not specified

Type

Closes

January 31, 2026More State jobs →

SES Pay Grade

Base salary range: $147,649 - $221,900

Typical requirements: Executive-level leadership experience. Senior executive qualifications required.

Note: Actual salary includes locality pay (15-40%+ depending on location).

Job Description

Summary

This job involves representing the state in high-stakes legal cases, especially appeals and challenges related to murder convictions and death penalty matters in both state and federal courts.

The role requires preparing legal documents, researching cases, arguing in court, and coordinating with other lawyers and officials.

It's a good fit for experienced attorneys who are detail-oriented, comfortable with complex criminal law, and able to handle intense, sensitive litigation under supervision.

Key Requirements

  • Active license to practice law in South Carolina
  • At least 3-5 years of experience in appellate or criminal litigation
  • Strong skills in legal research, writing briefs, and preparing pleadings
  • Ability to present oral arguments in state and federal appellate courts
  • Experience handling death penalty or capital cases preferred
  • Proficiency in coordinating with trial counsel and managing case schedules
  • Willingness to travel for meetings, hearings, and court appearances

Full Job Description

About Capital and Collateral Litigation

This position is for murder direct appeals, federal habeas corpus, and other collateral litigation.

This position is eligible for Telework.

Performs under limited supervision professional legal work in preparing briefs, pleadings, and opinions, and in representing assigned State agencies. Performs under general supervision professional legal work for the State, its subdivisions, and officials.

Performs under limited supervision professional legal work for the State, its subdivisions, and officials.

Primarily assigned to the Capital Litigation Section involving the handling of murder appeals to the South Carolina appellate courts; direct appeals of death penalty convictions to the South Carolina Supreme Court; state collateral actions involving death penalty cases in the circuit and appellate courts; and federal habeas corpus litigation involving various South Carolina crimes in the federal court system.

Performs under limited supervision professional legal work relating to capital litigation and murder appeals in the South Carolina Supreme Court, including the reading of trial transcripts, research of legal issues, drafting of briefs, preparation of pleadings, and presentation of oral arguments before the South Carolina appellate courts.

This duty involves communication with trial counsel and appellate counsel, traveling to other locations to examine appropriate trial exhibits, coordination of appellate work with trial counsel, ordering of trial transcripts, and calendaring and scheduling of work to conform with the court dates.

This duty involves complex death penalty litigation as well as non-capital murder appellate litigation.

Performs under general supervision professional legal work relating to post-conviction relief in death penalty convictions.

Research legal issues, prepare pleadings and responses to applications for post-conviction relief involving death penalty convictions, and prepare returns, briefs, and oral arguments for appeals from the state court hearing.

Makes required arrangements for transportation pertaining to witnesses and death row inmates. Represents the State in the Court of Common Pleas and in South Carolina appellate courts on appeal.

Performs under general supervision professional legal work relating to federal habeas corpus relief proceedings in the Federal District Court, Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals, and the United States Supreme Court.

Research legal issues, prepare pleadings and responses to petitions for federal habeas corpus relief, prepare motions and responses to filings, and make professional decisions on the handling of the case and appeal.

Briefs issues before the United States Court of Appeals and completes oral arguments, if necessary.

This job duty involves both death penalty matters as well as non-death penalty federal habeas corpus actions.

  • Represents assigned State agencies as required by the South Carolina Attorney General. Communicates with and advises agencies, including travel to other locations for meetings or hearings.
  • Performs related duties required and assigned by the Division Director and Chief of Staff, such as handling cases outside primary duty assignment.
  • This position also includes an excellent benefits package:
    • Telework eligible.
    • Public Service Loan Forgiveness eligibility.
    • Paid parental leave.
    • Health, dental, vision, long-term disability, and life insurance for employees, spouses, and children.
    • Fifteen days of annual (vacation) per year.
    • Fifteen days of sick leave per year.
    • Thirteen paid holidays.
    • State Retirement Plan and Deferred Compensation Programs.

    Requirements

    Juris Doctorate Degree.

    Necessary Requirements: Must be a member and in good standing with the South Carolina Bar. Must satisfy Rule 403 requirements.

    Additional Requirements:

    Position may require overnight travel.Position may require employee to work evenings and weekends.Position requires a valid driver's license and frequent driver duties.Position requires up-to-date certification(s).

    Qualifications Must be organized and be able to work independently in meeting deadlines.Operates dictation equipment.Operate a computer or Westlaw.

    Additional Information DRUG SCREENING, CREDIT CHECK, DELINQUENT TAX CHECK, GRIEVANCE CHECK, and SLED BACKGROUND CHECKS ARE REQUIRED.

    THIS OFFICE IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY AND AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER.EEOP Utilization Report available upon request.

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    Posted on NEOGOV: 1/14/2026 | Added to FreshGovJobs: 1/15/2026

    Source: NEOGOV | ID: neogov-sc-5130186