Paralegal Job Description in South Carolina

As of May 2012, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that 4220 paralegals and legal assistants were employed in South Carolina, earning an average annual wage of $41,750. Paralegals working in certain areas of the state earned higher than average wages. For example, paralegals in the Charleston-North Charleston-Summerville region averaged $45,650 per year. Paralegals in the Charlotte-Gastonia-Rock Hill NC/SC area averaged $44,560 annually. Paralegals working in the Upper Savannah South Carolina nonmetropolitan area averaged $44,030 per year. For more information on how you can become a paralegal in South Carolina, read below.
 

There are no statewide stipulations regarding education for paralegals in South Carolina. Education may be received in a formal institutional setting or on the job.

South Carolina Paralegal Online and Campus Schools

There is a variety of paralegal education programs available in South Carolina, some of which are approved by the American Bar Association (ABA) and some that are not. Approval status of a program is not mandatory in South Carolina, either.

ABA approved paralegal programs in South Carolina are:

• Trident Technical College- Charleston
• Associate in Arts in Paralegal Studies
• Paralegal Certificate
• Technical College of the Lowcountry – Beaufort
• Associate in Applied Science in Paralegal Studies
• Post-degree Certificate in Paralegal Studies
• South University – Columbia
• Bachelor of Science in Paralegal Studies
• Associate in Science in Paralegal Studies
• Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College- Orangeburg
• Associate in Public Service- Paralegal, Legal Assistant
• Midlands Technical College- Columbia
• Associate in Arts in Paralegal Studies
• Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Paralegal Studies
• Horry-Georgetown Technical College – Myrtle Beach
• Associate in Applied Science in Paralegal Studies
• Certificate in Paralegal Studies
• Greenville Technical College – Greenville
• Associate in Applied Science in Paralegal Studies
• Post-Baccalaureate Associate in Applied Science in Paralegal Studies
• Florence-Darlington Technical College – Florence
• Associate in Science in Paralegal Studies
• Central Carolina Technical College- Sumter
• Associate in Arts in Legal Assistant/Paralegal

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If you attend an ABA-approved paralegal education program in South Carolina, you will likely be required to complete a paralegal work experience internship. If you do not, you may still pursue paralegal work experience on your own, through one of the many legal aid facilities across South Carolina such as these:

• South Carolina Legal Services, Inc. – Greenville, with offices statewide in:
• Rock Hill
• Spartanburg
• Aiken
• Orangeburg
• Greenwood
• Anderson
• Florence
• Conway
• Columbia
• Charleston
• SCHelp Mortgage Assistance Program – Greenville
• South Carolina Legal Services Language Access Program-Greenville
• SCLS Low Income Taxpayers Clinic - Greenville
  

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National certification is an option, not a requirement, for paralegals who want to work in South Carolina. There are two main certification bodies for paralegals. They are the National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA) and the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA). One is not better than another is, it is simply your choice if and by whom you become certified.

NFPA offers these certifications:

• CORE Registered Paralegal (CRP) – obtained through passing the Paralegal Core Competency Exam (PCCE) , testing entry-level knowledge and skills
• Registered Paralegal (RP) – obtained through passing the Paralegal Advanced Competency Exam (PACE), testing skills and knowledge of paralegals who have worked for two or more years

NALA offers these certifications:

• Certified Paralegal (CP)- designed for newer paralegals, obtainable through passing an exam
• Advanced Paralegal Certified (APC)-designed for paralegals who have been in the work force for a while, allows a paralegal to become certified in a specialty area

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There are various career opportunities for paralegals in South Carolina besides within law offices. Companies, industry, businesses, non-profit agencies, and government agencies are just a few of the potential employers of paralegals in South Carolina, such as:

• Hubbell Incorporated – Columbia
• National Guard - Greenville
• FGP International – Columbia
• Carolina Legal Associates – Hilton Head and Charleston
• State of South Carolina – Greenville County
• Citizens Opposed to Domestic Abuse – Beaufort
• Georgetown Hospital System – Murrells Inlet
• McAngus, Goudelock & Courie, LLC – Mount Pleasant and Columbia
• Stewart Law Offices – Rock Hill
• McNair Law Firm – Bluffton
  

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Good for you! You have completed your education, training and experience and are now a paralegal who is ready to work in South Carolina! You might want to become a member of a paralegal association in South Carolina, which can help you with your career aspirations. They include:

• Charleston Association of Legal Assistants
• Palmetto Paralegal Association
• South Carolina Upstate Paralegal Association

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