Need a Legal And Professional Services Contract in South Carolina? AroundWire Can Help

In South Carolina, contracts for Legal and Professional Services—such as legal counsel, consulting, accounting, or specialized advisory work—are typically governed by both state procurement statutes and professional licensing requirements. Providers must hold all relevant state licenses or certifications (e.g., attorneys must be admitted to the South Carolina Bar; CPAs must be licensed by the South Carolina Board of Accountancy). State agencies and many local governments follow the South Carolina Consolidated Procurement Code, which mandates competitive selection for many professional services, though legal services may be exempt from some bidding requirements. Contracts often specify clear scopes of work, deliverables, and performance benchmarks. Insurance requirements are standard, with professional liability (errors and omissions) coverage commonly required at specified minimums, and general liability insurance may also be mandated. Payment terms typically follow a net 30-day structure from invoice approval, but milestone or retainer payments are occasionally negotiated. Confidentiality and data protection clauses are standard, especially for services involving sensitive information. Dispute resolution often favors negotiation or mediation before litigation, with South Carolina law generally governing the contract. Additionally, state law prohibits certain indemnification clauses that would require public entities to indemnify contractors. Contractors should be aware of anti-lobbying and conflict-of-interest provisions, as well as potential restrictions on subcontracting without prior approval.