Lauren Acquaviva

Lauren Acquaviva, the founder and managing attorney at Viva Law Firm in Charleston, South Carolina, focuses on alcohol licensing (administrative law) and family law. Throughout her distinguished career, she has successfully litigated over one hundred cases in the South Carolina Administrative Law Court, primarily aiming at tax and alcohol license disputes.

In addition to her trial work, Ms. Acquaviva's legal acumen extends to appellate courts, where she has robustly defended the SCDOR's interests before both the South Carolina Supreme Court and the South Carolina Court of Appeals. Her commitment to advocacy is further demonstrated in her longstanding role as a volunteer Guardian ad Litem (GAL) in abuse and neglect cases – a role she embraced for nearly a decade. Today, she continues to serve as a certified GAL in Family Court.

At the core of her practice lies a client-centric philosophy. Whether representing an individual, a small enterprise or a large corporation, Ms. Acquaviva customizes her legal strategies to align closely with each client's needs. She prides herself on resolving legal issues with civility and efficiency, guiding her clients through the legal landscape with confidence and care.

Originally from New Jersey, Ms. Acquaviva graduated summa cum laude from Monmouth University in 2009 with a B.S. in social work, driven by a strong passion for child advocacy. She then relocated to South Carolina to attend the University of South Carolina Joseph F. Rice School of Law, graduating in the top third of her class in 2012, the same year she was admitted to the South Carolina Bar.

While at law school, Ms. Acquaviva was active as a volunteer GAL in abuse and neglect cases and concluded an externship with Richland County’s volunteer GAL program. She also honed her litigation skills as a member of the Mock Trial Bar. Upon graduation, her desire to prosecute led her to the South Carolina Department of Revenue, where she spent six fruitful years litigating alcohol licensing and tax matters.

In 2018, Ms. Acquaviva transitioned to a law firm in Mount Pleasant, where she expanded her attention to family law. A year later, she established the Viva Law Firm to concentrate on her dual passions of litigation and juvenile advocacy. Beyond her practice, she is a member of several legal associations, such as the South Carolina Bar (Tax Law Section, Family Law Section and Young Lawyers Division), the Charleston County Bar Association and the American Bar Association. Moreover, she functions as a chairperson for the Charleston Cinderella Project.