Lauren Acquaviva

A New Jersey native, Lauren graduated from Monmouth University in 2009 with a B.S. in Social Work. Immediately thereafter, Lauren moved to South Carolina to attend the University of South Carolina School of Law from where she graduated in 2012. During law school Lauren became a volunteer Guardian ad Litem in abuse and neglect cases and served as a volunteer GAL until 2019. Today, Lauren represents volunteer GALs in Berkeley County.

In September of 2012, shortly after graduating from law school, Lauren began working for the South Carolina Department of Revenue where she spent six years litigating alcohol licensing and tax matters on behalf of the Department. Lauren left the SCDOR in October 2018 to go into private practice with a small Mount Pleasant Law firm. In October 2019, Lauren opened The Acquaviva Law Firm, LLC so she could focus her efforts on alcohol licensing matters, state and local tax controversy, and family law (including DSS cases). Lauren became a certified Guardian ad Litem in February 2019 allowing her to serve as a GAL in private family court matters.

“I am a lawyer who runs a client-centered practice. Whether my client is an individual, a small business, or a large business, I tailor my representation to best fit the needs of that specific client. Every client’s issue is unique, and I pride myself on helping my clients resolve all their issues as civilly and efficiently as possible. I look forward to helping you navigate the legal system.” ~ Lauren

Family Law

Adoption, Child Custody, Child Support, Father's Rights, Guardianship & Conservatorship, Paternity, Prenups & Marital Agreements, Restraining Orders, Same Sex Family Law

Divorce

Collaborative Law, Contested Divorce, Military Divorce, Property Division, Same Sex Divorce, Spousal Support & Alimony, Uncontested Divorce

Tax Law

Business Taxes, Criminal Tax Litigation, Estate Tax Planning, Income Taxes, International Taxes, Payroll Taxes, Property Taxes, Sales Taxes, Tax Appeals, Tax Audits, Tax Planning

Gov & Administrative Law

Administrative Law, Election Law, Government Contracts, Government Finance, Legislative & Government Affairs

• Alcohol Licensing

• Credit Cards Accepted
  Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Other Specialty Cards, ACH, eCheck

New Jersey

New Jersey Courts

Since 2012

South Carolina

South Carolina Bar

Since 2012

Principal Attorney

The Acquaviva Law Firm, LLC

2019 - Current

State and Local Tax Controversy Alcohol Licensing Family Law

Associate Attorney

Chillico & Associates, LLC

2018 - 2019

• Represented clients in family law matters, alcohol licensing matters, state and local tax matters, and some civil litigation matters • Prepared Complaints, Answers, Motions, Memoranda, Settlement Agreements, and Proposed Orders • Conducted discovery, including depositions and document review • Argued motions and tried cases in the Family Court, Court of Common Pleas, and Administrative Law Court • Worked with CPAs to help clients resolve tax issues • Assisted clients in resolving matters with the IRS • Served as a Guardian ad Litem in private family court matters

Counsel for Litigation

South Carolina Department of Revenue

2012 - 2018

• Prepared Department Determinations related to alcohol license application denials, alcohol license violations, income tax matters, sales tax matters, and property tax matters • Prepared motions, supporting memoranda, proposed orders, and settlement agreements • Conducted discovery, including depositions and document review • Represented the Department at contested case hearings before the Administrative Law Court • Prepared appellate briefs and represented the Department before the South Carolina appellate courts • Advised the alcohol licensing section regarding the application of the alcohol laws to various fact patterns • Worked with the State Law Enforcement Division in ensuring that the alcohol laws were properly enforced • Represented the State in select criminal tax matters

University of South Carolina School of Law

J.D. (2012) | Law

2009 - 2012

Honors: Recipient, Sherod H. Eadon Scholarship for Trial Advocacy

Activities: Vice Chair, American Bar Association Law Student Division Secretary, Student Bar Association Justice of External Affairs, Mock Trial Bar Competitor, Georgetown White Collar Crime Invitational Semi-finalist, USC Law Mock Trial Internal Competition Student Member, John Belton O’Neall Inn of Court

Monmouth University

B.S. (2009) | Social Work

2005 - 2009

Honors: Graduated Summa Cum Laude Minored in Sociology and Gender Studies Member, Omicron Delta Kappa – National Leadership Honor Society Member, Alpha Delta Mu – Social Work Honor Society

Activities: Chief Justice, Student Government Association Philanthropy Chairperson, Alpha Xi Delta Sorority Study Abroad, Florence, Italy

South Carolina Bar  # 100528

Member

Current

Charleston County Bar Association

2020 - Current

South Carolina Bar Association

2012 - Current

Activities: Family Law Section Tax Law Section

American Bar Association

2010 - Current

Guardian ad Litem

South Carolina State Bar

2019