Chief Legal Clerk

Under occasional supervision, performs specialized legal clerical work in support of efficient and effective division operations, including the preparation and maintenance of accurate Family Court / Child Support records and accounts. Assists in the courtroom during court sessions. Provides training and leadership to subordinate clerks. Performs related work as assigned. Reports to the Court Administrator.

Receives, reviews and processes Family Court / Child Support orders, ensuring accuracy and completeness of all supporting documentation; distributes orders to appropriate parties; certifies, seals, copies and distributes copies to attorneys and other parties as required.

Assists in opening new cases; assigns case numbers; establishes and maintains case files with accurate and up-to-date information; seals confidential cases.

Establishes, updates and/or terminates child support, alimony and fee accounts pursuant to court orders.

Receives, establishes, updates and monitors orders issued in other states.

Performs specialized legal clerical duties, including issuing bench warrants, maintaining indexes of all cases and supporting documentation, processing hearing requests and issuing hearing notices, preparing cases and courtrooms for hearings, etc.

Coordinates court activities with judges, attorneys, and various government and social service agencies.

Prepares case files for court.

Assists judges and attorneys prior to, during and after court proceedings as required.

Prepares, processes, indexes, files, submits / transmits court documents and records, including but not limited to notices for modification or review, affidavits, rules to show cause, docket sheets, motions, appeals, dispositions, failure to locate forms, court orders, subpoenas, summonses, court rosters, etc.; prepares routine records, ledgers, reports, indexes, legal notices, correspondence, etc.; secures all records as required.

Prepares documents for microfilming.

Enters and maintains court / case information into computer database; generates computer reports as required.

Assists clients, attorneys, court personnel, law enforcement personnel, social service agencies, and others in completing various legal forms as required for court and in obtaining information and copies of case documents as appropriate.

Collects and records child support payments, fees, fines, restitutions and other payments; adjusts arrearages and payments according to court order; processes wage withholding with employers; monitors accounts and prepares account statements.

Performs Notary Public duties.

Provides training, leadership and assistance to subordinate clerks as assigned.

Performs general administrative / clerical work, including but not limited to typing forms, reports and correspondence; copying and filing documents; assembling materials; sending and receiving faxes; answering the telephone; processing mail; ordering supplies, etc.

Receives and responds to public / County staff inquiries, complaints and requests for assistance with regard to court policies and procedures; greets and assists office visitors.

Refers to policy and procedure manuals, computer manuals, laws/codes/ordinances, law dictionary, legislative manual, directories, etc.

Operates a variety of equipment such as a computer, printer, typewriter, electric file system, postage machine, fax machine, copier, calculator, telephone, etc.

Interacts and communicates with various groups and individuals such as the immediate supervisor, Clerk of Court, co-workers, other County personnel, law enforcement personnel, attorneys, court personnel, plaintiffs / clients, employers, S.C. Court Administration personnel, various other government agencies, and the general public.

Performs light housekeeping duties as necessary in the office and court rooms; maintains office equipment.

Performs related duties as required.

REQUIRED EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND AND JOB-RELATED EXPERIENCE:
Minimum Level of Job-Related Education:
Requires an Associate's degree in paralegal studies, secretarial studies or related field.

Minimum Amount of Job-Related Experience:
Two to three years of experience in office administration and support, preferably in a legal or court environment, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities.

Minimum Level of any Required Qualifications, Licenses, Certificates, Registrations, or any Relevant Knowledge, Job Skill or Equivalent Experience:
Must possess Notary Public certification.
Accounting experience preferred.