Senior Attorney (Attorney V)

Closing Date: 13th November, 2026

Description:

Job Responsibilities:
The mission of the South Carolina Department of Education is to serve students, support teachers, empower parents, and engage the community so that every student graduates prepared to reach their full potential.

Job Purpose:
The South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE) is seeking a skilled and mission-driven attorney to join the Office of General Counsel (OGC) during a period of significant growth in the agency's legal portfolio. The OGC provides legal counsel to the State Superintendent, the State Board of Education, and every office across the agency on matters spanning education law, administrative law, procurement, employment, ethics, regulatory compliance, contracts, Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), and legislative drafting. This role offers the opportunity to practice law at the intersection of public policy and public service, advising on complex legal questions that directly shape how South Carolina serves its students, teachers, families, and school districts. The attorney will join a collaborative legal team that is modernizing its operations, building new systems for case and project management, and expanding its capacity to meet the demands of one of the state's most consequential agencies.

Responsibilities:
Under the general direction of the General Counsel, the Senior Attorney is responsible for the following:

• Lead Agency Process Modernization: Drive and coordinate business process redesign, workflow optimization, and operational modernization across Procurement, Finance, Operations, and related functions by developing and executing a phased modernization roadmap that begins with Procurement and expands to additional offices over time.
• Provide Legal Counsel Across the Agency: Serve as a trusted legal advisor to SCDE offices, leadership, and the State Board of Education (SBE) on a broad range of education law, administrative law, and regulatory matters, delivering timely, clear, and practical guidance that helps program teams make sound decisions and advance the agency's mission.
• Manage Complex Legal Matters: Handle a portfolio of legal matters independently, including administrative proceedings, contract disputes, regulatory interpretation, ethics inquiries, employment issues, and interagency coordination, exercising sound professional judgment and keeping the General Counsel informed on risk and strategy.
• Oversee Educator Certification Cases: Direct the agency's educator certification docket, supervising the attorneys and staff who handle these cases, assigning matters, and reviewing work product. Ensure summary suspension orders are issued promptly when student safety is at risk, oversee consent agreement negotiations, and personally prosecute complex cases before SBE-appointed hearing officers and the State Board of Education. Maintain coordination with South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED), the Attorney General's Office, LLR (Labor, Licensing, and Regulation), and other agencies.
• Support Legislative and Policy Work: Draft, review, and analyze proposed legislation, provisos, regulations, and policy documents; advise agency leadership on the legal implications of pending and enacted legislation, including amendments to Title 59 and the General Appropriations Act; and serve as a legal resource during legislative sessions.
• Draft and Review Contracts, MOUs, and Procurement Documents: Provide legal review of contracts, memoranda of understanding, interagency agreements, grant terms, and procurement solicitations, ensuring compliance with state law, the Consolidated Procurement Code, and agency policy while helping streamline processes and reduce cycle times.
• Advise on FOIA, Ethics, Federal, and Regulatory Compliance: Counsel agency staff on obligations under the Freedom of Information Act, the Ethics Act, records retention requirements, data privacy, Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) and federal Title programs, including district protests and responses to the U.S. Department of Education, and other compliance frameworks; serve as the state contact for Methods of Administration and Civil Rights (MOA/CR) reviews of Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs; and help develop internal guidance and training that builds institutional knowledge and reduces risk.
• Represent SCDE in Administrative and Legal Proceedings: Represent the agency before administrative tribunals, the Administrative Law Court, state and federal courts, and other forums as needed; prepare legal memoranda, briefs, pleadings, and other documents; and coordinate with the Attorney General's Office on litigation matters.
• Contribute to OGC Modernization and Team Development: Help build and refine the office's legal operations, including case management and intake systems, standard templates and procedures, and knowledge management tools; serve as OGC point person for agency strategic planning; supervise and mentor junior staff and contribute to a culture of professionalism, collaboration, and continuous improvement within the OGC.
• Collaborate Across Offices and With External Partners: Work closely with colleagues in Procurement, Finance, Human Resources, Communications, and program offices to provide coordinated legal support; serve as a legal point of contact for districts, external counsel, other state agencies, and federal partners as assigned.

This position is located in the Office of General Counsel.

Minimum and Additional Requirements:
A juris doctor degree or its equivalent from an accredited law school and experience as a practicing attorney.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Juris Doctor degree from an ABA-accredited law school.
• Active membership in good standing with the South Carolina Bar.
• Ten (10) or more years of experience as a practicing attorney, with substantive experience in education law, administrative law, government law, regulatory compliance, or a closely related practice area.
• Experience advising a state agency or other public entity on education law, employment law, procurement, FOIA, ethics, or legislative matters.
• Familiarity with Title 59 of the South Carolina Code, the South Carolina Administrative Procedures Act, the Consolidated Procurement Code, ESSA, civil rights requirements, or comparable statutory and regulatory frameworks.
• Experience drafting or reviewing legislation, regulations, or formal policy documents.
• Experience representing clients in administrative proceedings or before the Administrative Law Court.
• Demonstrated ability to manage a diverse legal portfolio independently, exercise sound judgment on complex issues, and communicate legal analysis clearly to non-legal audiences.
• Strong legal research, writing, and analytical skills.
• Exceptional facilitation and communication skills. Able to bring clarity to complexity, collaboratively across internal offices, leadership, and partners.
• A track record of mentoring colleagues, improving legal processes, or contributing to office-wide systems and knowledge management.
• Genuine interest in public service and the mission of public education in South Carolina.

Additional Comments:
As a part of a generous compensation package, we offer comprehensive benefits that include generous paid time off, preeminent health care benefits, professional development opportunities, pension, a 401(k), and a hybrid work schedule with opportunity for remote work.

The South Carolina Department of Education offers an exceptional benefits package that includes:

• Health, Dental, Vision, Long Term Disability, and Life Insurance for Employee, Spouse, and Children.
• 15 days annual (vacation) leave per year.
• 15 days sick leave per year.
• 13 paid holidays.
• State Retirement Plan and Deferred Compensation Programs.

Only Those Applicants Chosen for An Interview Will Be Notified by Letter that The Position Has Been Filled.

Http://www.Ed.Sc.Gov/jobs/human-Resources/title-Ix-Nondiscrimination

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