Family Law Attorney

Job Description

Charleston Legal Access (CLA) seeks a full-time Family Law Attorney to provide high-quality legal representation to low-income and working-class individuals in the Lowcountry. The ideal candidate will have 1-3 years of experience in family law and a strong commitment to expanding access to justice.

About CLA

Charleston Legal Access is a nonprofit, sliding-scale law firm dedicated to closing the justice gap by providing low-cost, quality legal services to individuals who do not qualify for free legal aid but cannot afford private attorneys. Our firm specializes in civil, housing, and family law, while also engaging in broader access-to-justice initiatives, such as reducing eviction rates in South Carolina through our Housing Court project.

The Position

CLA seeks a Family Law Attorney to join our team and help expand our capacity to serve clients facing complex family law issues. The selected candidate will handle a range of family law matters, including:

• Divorce

• Child custody and visitation

• Child and spousal support

• Adoption and guardianship

• Domestic violence protection orders and other related matters

This role requires both independent case management and collaborative teamwork, as well as community engagement to enhance CLA’s impact.

Primary Responsibilities

• Provide legal advice and full representation in family law cases.

• Represent clients in court hearings, mediations, and settlement negotiations.

• Draft and file motions, pleadings, and other court documents.

• Conduct legal research and stay updated on South Carolina family law developments.

• Collaborate with domestic violence service providers and other community organizations.

• Participate in outreach events and workshops to educate the community on family law and related matters.

• Maintain accurate time, case records and billing in accordance with CLA’s sliding-scale model.

Required Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school.

• Active membership in good standing with the South Carolina Bar, or ability to waive in with a qualifying UBE score.

• 1-3 years of experience in family law (or a strong background in litigation with a willingness to focus on family law).

• Excellent oral and written advocacy skills.

• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple cases efficiently.

• Ability to work independently

Preferred Qualifications

• Fluency in Spanish is preferred to better serve our Spanish-speaking clients.

• Experience handling domestic violence-related cases.

• Knowledge of immigration issues related to family law, such as VAWA petitions, U-visas and SIJS.

Salary & Benefits

• Salary range: $65,000 - $71,000, depending on experience.

• Benefits include: health insurance, 10 days paid time off, sick leave, parental leave, and flexible work hours.

How to Apply

Submit a cover letter, resume, and legal writing sample to lana@charlestonlegalaccess.org with the subject line "Family Law Attorney."

Application Deadline: Candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

Charleston Legal Access is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture that reflects the rich diversity of the communities we serve. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, disability, familial or veteran status, and we strongly encourage applications from persons of diverse backgrounds.