Paralegal

Full Job Description

OUR MISSION AND VALUES
The South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs 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. With an unrivaled complaint processing portal, an award-winning communications staff, and dedicated staff overseeing more than 120 statutes SCDCA administers and enforces, SCDCA offers invaluable services to every citizen in SC. We’re looking for a dependable, energetic, self-starter with good communication skills to join our agency in providing excellent customer service for staff, consumers, and businesses in our Legal Division.

PRIMARY PURPOSE OF YOUR ROLE
The Paralegal is responsible for providing and overseeing administrative, legal, and technical support services for the Legal Division. The position is responsible for certain programs including lemon law and compliance with advertising laws. The position also supports the investigators and attorneys in preparing for enforcement actions.

DAY-TO-DAY ACTIVITIES

• Conduct legal research on complex matters.
• Monitor advertisements for compliance with state and federal laws and draft notices regarding noncompliance.
• Responsible for lemon law program, which includes answering consumer questions and processing annual manufacturer filings.
• Supervise legal support staff and oversee projects including, but not limited to, processing of preneed contracts, closing fee applications, breach notices, and bankruptcy filings.
• Assist licensing unit with communications, forms, and processes.
• Serve as division liaison for Freedom of Information Act requests and agency website updates.
• Perform clerical and other tasks as assigned.

Requirements

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
A high school diploma and experience in providing administrative support for an attorney(s) or a legal office.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Excellent communication skills both verbal and written.
• Must be extremely adaptable and able to follow a task or directive through, despite unfamiliarity with task at hand.
• Professional demeanor and attitude including dress, timeliness, and dependability.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with businesses and agency employees.

Qualifications

• Ability to perform legal research.
• Privacy law experience and/or credentials.
• Ability to learn, organize, and present written information in a clear, concise, and accurate manner.
• Exceptional attention to detail.
• Well organized.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Outlook, Excel, and Word, as well as hardware devices such as printers, scanners, and copiers.
• Paralegal Certificate or a degree in paralegal studies.