Legal Department

Welcome to the Berkeley County Legal Department

Nicole Scott Ewing, Berkeley County Attorney

Mission statement
To manage the legal interests of Berkeley County Government, which includes Berkeley County Council, the countywide elected officials, the various departments that administer county services and functions, and affiliated organizations, and also to mitigate and minimize its risks and liabilities through advice, documentation, and representation.

The Legal Department provides legal advice to Berkeley County Council and Berkeley County staff. We cannot provide legal advice to the public. Therefore, we have outlined resources to assist the public with finding an attorney, accessing public records and addressing various legal concerns (please see the Helpful Links section below).

The Berkeley County Legal Department’s responsibilities include:

• Drafting and reviewing all contracts, resolutions and ordinances that carry out the general business of the County
• Participating in the preparation and execution of grant agreements and multi-governmental contracts between the county and outside agencies
• Providing legal counsel and assistance on such matters as personnel issues, contracts, collections, recording problems and issues relating to the application of Federal or State laws, as well as interpretation of locally enacted ordinances
• Providing information to our congressional delegation as well as the state delegation regarding certain matters pending before Congress and the General Assembly
• Coordinating and directing litigation on behalf of the County and in which the County is a named party, as well as represent the County and its employees in defense litigation
• Serving as a liaison between the Insurance Reserve Fund in certain matters and claims
• Fostering an environment which is conducive to the best interest of Berkeley County through professional contacts and services on various boards and committees
• Responding to Freedom of Information Act questions
• Offering assistance in procurement actions associated with the County

Helpful Links

For attorney information, call the S.C. Lawyer Referral Service at (800) 868-2284 or the Neighborhood Legal Assistance Program at (888) 346-5562

To schedule criminal cases for trial, contact the Solicitor's Office (843) 719-4529

To file general partnership forms, contact the Register of Deed's Office (843) 719-4084

For marriage licenses or marriage records, contact Probate Court (843) 719-4519

To record land transactions, contact the Register of Deed's Office (843) 719-4084

For restraining orders, contact the Magistrates Court (843) 719-4220

For payment of traffic tickets, contact the Magistrates Court (843) 719-4220