Are you active in the Charleston legal community? Get to know the best legal recruiters waiting to help legal industry veterans land their dream position. Welcome to your one-stop-shop for South Carolina legal recruitment contacts.
Verified Charleston Area Legal Recruiters
Young Mayden LLC is a boutique firm providing distinct services in the areas of legal search and consulting across the state of South Carolina and the country.
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Job Opportunities
Founded in 1670, Charleston is a popular east coast tourist destination that holds over 802,000 residents within its metropolitan area. In addition to its rich history, Southern hospitality and Old- World flavor, Charleston also offers a business-friendly climate which supports companies that compete globally in sectors like energy development, healthcare and transportation. For prospecting lawyers, Charleston is a charming city that’s filled with many career growth and development opportunities.
There are 3300+ lawyers that practice in the Charleston area at its 150 law firms, dozens of government agencies or various corporate counsel departments. Those attorneys earn an average base salary of $82,183 while enjoying career-enrichment activities through these professional organizations:
- South Carolina Bar
- Charleston County Bar Association
- Charleston School of Law
- Other state and local bar associations based on specific membership criteria
Requirements to Practice Law
Any ABA-accredited law school graduate may sit for the South Carolina Bar Exam. However, the state Bar does not accept applications from foreign law school graduates, nor does it have reciprocity agreements with any other US jurisdictions. In addition to passing the state Bar Exam, a qualified applicant must also pass the Multistate Professional Responsibility Exam (MPRE) and complete a Bridge the Gap practical skills program.
To continue practicing law in South Carolina you must complete 14 hours of CLE per year, including at least 2 hours in professional responsibility and ethics. For more details about becoming a lawyer in South Carolina, visit: www.lawyeredu.org.
Why Charleston?
Known as the “Holy City”, Charleston is a charming community with 136,000 residents that sits on beautiful Charleston Harbor. The area offers miles of pristine beaches and watersport opportunities galore, along with upscale dining, shopping and music venues. The Port of Charleston is still a major shipping hub on the Eastern Seaboard, and the city competes globally in industries like healthcare, manufacturing, tourism and telecommunications.
Charleston’s cost of living is higher than the national average primarily due to housing, but the area’s healthcare and transportation costs run below comparable US cities. The Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority (CARTA) provides bus services for commuters while air travelers can take advantage of nearby Charleston International Airport. The legal district is located downtown near the harbor and Harleston Village area. The best neighborhoods in Charleston include Grimball Gates, Downtown, Harleston Village, Stiles Point and West Ashley.
In addition to its inviting parks and beaches, major attractions in the Charleston area include several museums and historic sites, the South Carolina Aquarium, Middleton Place, Battery & White Point Gardens and Fort Sumter National Monument. Charleston’s humid, subtropical climate produces an average of 209 sunny days per year, an above average amount of rainfall and no snow. July is typically the warmest month, with average highs around 90 degrees F, and January is the coldest month, with average lows near 40 degrees F.
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Frequently Asked Questions
The candidate pool in Charleston is diverse and highly educated, with many law graduates from local institutions such as the Charleston School of Law and the University of South Carolina School of Law. The city attracts legal professionals from across the country due to its vibrant culture and growing economy.
According to the Charleston Regional Development Alliance, the region’s population has grown by over 20% in the past decade, contributing to a steady influx of qualified candidates. The legal community is known for its strong emphasis on both traditional practice areas and emerging fields like environmental and intellectual property law.
In Charleston, there is a high demand for legal positions in corporate and business law, driven by the presence of major employers like Boeing and Blackbaud. Healthcare law is also significant due to institutions like MUSC and Roper St. Francis Healthcare. Environmental law is increasingly important given Charleston’s coastal location and environmental regulations. Additionally, there is a robust need for real estate attorneys due to the booming real estate market.
Several key industries shape Charleston’s legal market, including aerospace, healthcare, and technology. The aerospace sector, led by Boeing, requires extensive corporate, compliance, and intellectual property legal services. The healthcare industry, with major players like MUSC and Roper St. Francis Healthcare, drives the demand for healthcare law expertise.
The tech sector, highlighted by companies like Blackbaud and a growing startup ecosystem, necessitates legal services in intellectual property and cybersecurity. Additionally, Charleston’s thriving tourism and real estate markets create substantial needs for legal expertise in real estate, environmental law, and hospitality-related legal matters.
Current trends in Charleston are significantly reshaping the legal field. The city’s emphasis on sustainability has heightened the demand for environmental law expertise, particularly in coastal preservation and land use.
The tech boom, driven by companies like Blackbaud and an increasing number of startups, is expanding the need for intellectual property and cybersecurity legal services. Additionally, the focus on social justice and equity has led to more robust employment and labor law practices, as high-profile cases involving workplace discrimination and wage disputes become more common. These trends are driving a dynamic and responsive legal market.
The shift to remote work has profoundly impacted Charleston’s legal sector. Many law firms now offer flexible work arrangements, enhancing work-life balance and attracting top talent from beyond the region. This transition has also influenced compensation structures, with firms adjusting salaries to reflect remote work savings and competitive market rates. The average lawyer salary in Charleston is $131,965, reflecting these adjustments.
Remote work has also expanded opportunities for professional development and client engagement, allowing legal professionals to utilize technology for virtual consultations, continuing education, and networking events, further integrating modern practices into the traditional legal framework.
Diversity and inclusion are increasingly prioritized in Charleston’s legal sector. Efforts to promote inclusivity are evident through organizations like the Charleston County Bar Association’s Diversity Committee, which focuses on enhancing representation and support for minority lawyers.
Local firms are implementing more inclusive hiring practices and creating mentorship programs aimed at underrepresented groups. Additionally, events such as the annual Diversity Summit highlight ongoing commitments to equity and inclusion. Despite these advancements, challenges remain, but the legal community continues to make significant strides towards creating a more diverse and inclusive environment that reflects Charleston’s rich cultural tapestry.
