Crafting legal solutions for the beverage community
South Carolina
Beverage Law Team
Welcome to
Viva Beverage Law
Viva Law Firm® assists clients with Alcohol Licensing Matters
South Carolina Beverage Law TEAM
Crafting legal solutions for the beverage community
Viva Law Firm® assists clients with Alcohol Licensing Matters.
Proudly Providing
Assistance with the SCDOR Application Process
Defense of SC Alcohol Law Violations
Assistance with the TTB Application Process
And More
Welcome to Viva Beverage Law
At Viva Beverage Law, we focus on helping business owners in the South Carolina beverage industry apply for the proper permits and licensing, maintain compliance, and defend against alcohol law violations. Whether you’re a retailer, wholesaler, or manufacturer, we can provide the legal guidance you need to make sure your company adheres to state regulations and avoids costly mistakes. Having obtained six years of alcohol beverage licensing (ABL) litigation experience at the South Carolina Department of Revenue, we know South Carolina alcohol laws like the back of our hand. Our dedicated, client-centered practice has helped countless beverage sellers and manufacturers keep up with the laws and regulations they need to know to run a successful business.
Viva Beverage Law provides dedicated legal support for businesses producing, selling, or distributing alcohol across South Carolina. Our alcohol license attorney assists clients with matters related to the South Carolina Department of Revenue (SCDOR) and Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB).
From breweries, bars, and distilleries to importers and retailers, our firm offers reliable support for businesses looking to apply for or renew their ABL applications, ensure alcohol distribution compliance, avoid alcohol law violations, and more. Whether you’re starting a new business or growing your existing one, our liquor licensing team is here to guide you through every step. Based in Charleston, our ABL lawyer proudly serves the beverage industry with practical legal solutions that match the needs of your business.
Lauren Acquaviva Founder, Attorney
Getting Started
If you’re looking for a trusted legal aid to help you understand and apply South Carolina ABL laws, the first step is to contact Viva Beverage Law. By filling out our online form or giving us a call, you’re already well on your way to ensuring your company meets South Carolina business standards.
Whether you’ve received notice of a violation, need assistance filing or renewing a licensing application, or have questions about a denied application, we’re here to help. We can walk you through every step in the process, or just provide quick legal advice if that’s what you’re after. Whatever your needs, we can provide the aid you need to move forward in your business ventures.
1
The Initial Consultation
Once we’ve set up a meeting, we’ll go over the details of your situation. We aim to fully understand your specific circumstances, pain points, and business goals so that we can provide a solution that meets your unique needs. We offer a variety of ABL services, so no matter what you need assistance with, we’ll help you obtain the results that will best support your business.
We are committed to providing trusted legal advice and helping our clients through difficult situations. When you work with us, you’re getting more than our ABL lawyer—you’re getting a dedicated team who will make sure your business is legally sound and compliant with South Carolina ABL laws.
2
Prepare And File Necessary Paperwork
After we’ve discussed your business needs, we’ll help you complete and file any necessary paperwork, whether it’s licensing applications, a response to accusations of law violations, or court-required forms that need to be completed.
For business owners who have already completed an application but it was denied, we can help you understand the cause for its denial and help you adjust your application so you can get approved and continue on with your business as planned. For those just starting out, we will walk you through the application process, making sure that your paperwork is completed accurately.
3
Reliable Representation In Court
If you’re forced to go to court, we provide aggressive representation to support your business and fight to protect your rights as a business owner. We will review all of the available evidence and craft a strong case on your behalf.
If you’ve been charged with violating South Carolina licensing laws, we will make sure you know exactly what to expect and stand by you every step of the way.
4
Consistent Support And Guidance
Whether your situation requires a quick phone call or regular meetings over a period of months, we’re available to assist you in any capacity. We will provide ongoing legal guidance and dedicated support to help you through all of your alcohol beverage licensing needs.
From day one, we will be your go-to source for legal help relating to alcohol licensing compliance, applications (new and existing ones), court proceedings, and more. By working with you to make sure that your business remains compliant with all state and federal laws and regulations, we can help your business succeed for years to come.
Meet our team
Viva Beverage Law
South Carolina Alcoholic Beverage Law Firm
Lauren Acquaviva Founder, Attorney
Saray Solis Ramirez Executive Assistant to the Founder
Christina Sisk Family Law Paralegal
Our Beverage Law Services
The South Carolina Department of Revenue website makes applying for a liquor license easier, but it’s still important to work with our dedicated ABL lawyer and support team. We can help make sure your application is complete and filed appropriately to ensure a faster approval by not raising any red flags to the SCDOR.
For business owners requiring assistance with the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) application process, we’re here to help. We can help you through the process and properly complete and file your application for you.
If you’ve been accused of violating a South Carolina alcohol law, we can help by providing comprehensive representation to support your claim. We will defend your business and your name, standing by you every step of the way.
We provide legal support for all matters related to alcohol distribution and production. Whether you need help with your liquor license application or require legal representation to defend against violation claims, we’re here to help.
Beverage Licensing
Beverage Licensing
With six years of prior ABL experience at the South Carolina Department of Revenue, Ms. Acquaviva is ready to assist you in navigating South Carolina’s ABL laws.
Federal Permitting
Federal Permitting
Many business owners enlist the help of a South Carolina alcohol federal permitting lawyer to help them get and keep all of the permits and licenses they need to keep their businesses afloat.
Liquor License Compliance
Liquor License Compliance
Lauren Acquaviva, our South Carolina liquor license compliance services lawyer, started Viva Beverage Law specifically to help people with alcohol compliance and licensing services.
License Violation Defense
License Violation Defense
The compassionate staff at Viva Beverage Law and its founding partner, Lauren Acquaviva, understand how stressful and downright scary it is to have your alcohol license, a key link to your livelihood, threatened.
Manufacturing & Production
Manufacturing & Production
Attorney Lauren Acquaviva and her staff at Viva Beverage Law understand how frustrating and challenging doing these things can be and how scary it can be when your business is in jeopardy over alcohol compliance issues.
Alcohol Retail Licensing
Alcohol Retail Licensing
Attorney Lauren Acquaviva and her staff at Viva Beverage Law understand the challenges that alcohol retailers face in South Carolina and we know how to help them get through them.
Tax Audit Representation
Tax Audit Representation
If your business is undergoing a tax audit, there are many things that our South Carolina alcohol tax audit representation lawyer can do to help you. Reach out today.
Wholesale & Distribution
Wholesale & Distribution
Our South Carolina alcohol wholesale & distribution lawyer supports businesses by helping their owners and managers successfully get through the complex processes of getting approved for alcohol sales and distribution.
contact the South Carolina
Beverage Law Team today
SCDOR Application Process · TTB Application Process ·
Defense of SC Alcohol Law Violations
Ancillary Matters Related to Alcohol Licensing
proudly serving all of south Carolina · Call Today (854) 888-6410 · WE’RE HERE TO HELP
frequently Asked questions
Why Do I Need A Liquor License?
If you plan to make, sell, or serve alcohol at your place of business, an official liquor license is required. This law was put in place to properly regulate the sale and distribution of alcohol at the state or federal level. The requirements and application process for obtaining an alcohol license vary depending on the type of permit or license you need, but our liquor license team can help you make sure you get started on the right track. We can also help you correct an application that was denied, understand compliance laws, and avoid violations.
What Happens If I Sell Alcohol Without A License?
Producing, selling, or distributing alcohol without a license is a criminal offense that can result in hefty fines, the inability to get an alcohol license, and even imprisonment. Business owners who sell alcohol without a license face misdemeanor or felony charges, depending on the act committed, the amount of alcohol that was sold, and any prior offenses. Aside from losing the ability to get an alcohol license, some businesses are forced to close completely after such an offense, and many have a hard time obtaining another license in the future. To avoid running into such complications, it’s best to make sure you have a valid, current ABL license and are complying with all of the alcohol laws.
How Long Does It Take To Get An Alcohol License?
In South Carolina, the time it takes to obtain an alcohol license is typically six to eight weeks. However, application processing times may be extended in the case of denials, incomplete forms, or other delays. You can apply online through the South Carolina Department of Revenue website, but we recommend speaking with our alcohol licensing attorney first to make sure you’ve met all of the requirements and the forms are filled out correctly and in full. This can help avoid delays, helping your business get approved to manufacture, distribute, or sell alcohol more quickly.
Can I Serve Alcohol At A Private Event Without A License?
Yes—as long as it is a private social gathering that does not require an admission fee and the alcohol is being provided free of charge, you may serve alcohol without a license. If you’re planning a wedding, birthday party, or other celebratory event, you’re legally allowed to distribute alcohol. However, if you’re planning a commercial event—such as a fundraiser, festival, or any event that sells tickets, accepts donations, or charges admission or meal fees (in cases where alcohol is a part of the meal)—you will need to apply for a Special Event Permit. If you’re not sure whether you need a license or not, our alcohol permit lawyer and support team can help clarify.
What Do I Do If I Receive A Notice Of Intent To Suspend Or Revoke?
If you are facing the suspension or revocation of your alcohol license, it’s important to speak with our alcohol compliance attorneys and dedicated support team immediately. We can look at the details of your situation to learn exactly why the SCDOR is seeking to suspend or revoke your license and help you address any issues that may have led to the violation. The facts underlying the violation, compliance issues, and prior offenses can all play a part in why businesses may lose their license. We will help you understand what went wrong and how to mitigate any damages. Once your license is back in active status, our liquor licensing attorney can work with you to help your business maintain compliance and make sure you’re abiding by all state and federal laws so that you don’t receive another notice of intent to suspend or revoke your alcohol license.
Viva Beverage Law
South Carolina
beverage law Attorney
At Viva Beverage Law, we offer trusted legal guidance for retailers, wholesalers, and manufacturers of alcoholic beverages throughout the state of South Carolina. Our service area includes Mount Pleasant, Charleston, Hanahan, Charleston County, and Berkeley County and beyond, with our main office conveniently located in Charleston.
We proudly work with businesses of all sizes, from startups to established brands to franchises, providing tailored legal support wherever you’re based. Whether you’re opening a new restaurant, expanding to new locations, or changing up your business concept, we’re committed to serving South Carolina’s growing and dynamic beverage community. When you need trusted legal aid for ABL-related matters, we’re here to help you stay compliant and confident in your business ventures.
