Overview

Ric Tapp practices across several diverse legal areas including: governmental relations, economic development incentives, finance, and basic commercial law. Ric has, in discrete matters, represented the South Carolina Judiciary and the South Carolina Senate. Moreover, Ric has been fortunate to participate in many, diverse large capital projects including, among others:

  • The Boeing Company’s $1 billion location and subsequent $1.2 billion expansion and incentives negotiations relating to its site in North Charleston;
  • Mercedes Benz Vans, LLC's site selection and incentives negotiations for a $500 million plant expansion in North Charleston;
  • The funding of the $650 million Arthur Ravenel Bridge in Charleston;
  • The funding of Trident Technical College’s $80 million S.C. Aeronautical Training Center;
  • The raising of the H.L. Hunley submarine and the funding of the $80 million museum housing the Hunley and related artifacts;
  • The funding of the $53 million state match for a federal grant enabling the Clemson Restoration Institute’s Wind Turbine Test facility; 
  • The funding of the $32 million renovation of the Trident Technical College Berkeley County campus; and
  • Representing MeadWestvaco and the Rockefeller Group in procuring economic development incentives for a tire manufacturer’s distribution center in Berkeley County.

Experience

Ric was credited by the State’s Legislative Leadership for his successful role in that regard.  Senator McConnell, then President Pro Tempore of the Senate, publically thanked Ric personally for his role in the Boeing transaction in a letter to the Editor of the Charleston Post & Courier. 

The Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce subsequently honored Ric (along with Senators McConnell, Leatherman, Grooms, Campbell, and the Speaker of the House Bobby Harrell) for his, “leadership and commitment in advancing the economy of South Carolina by working tirelessly to negotiate the incentive package that resulted in the Boeing 787 Expansion Aircraft Assembly plant in North Charleston resulting in the single largest capital investment in South Carolina history.”

Recognitions

  • S.C. Transportation Infrastructure Bank - Former Board Member and Corporate Secretary, 2001-2012
  • Appointed by the Senate President Pro Tem to serve as Chairman of the S.C. Senate Advisory Committee on Economic Development (2009)
  • Appointed by the Senate Transportation Chairman to serve on the eight-member S.C. Study Committee on Public-Private Partnerships in Transportation (2008)
  • The Order of the Palmetto - Awarded for legal services performed for the benefit of South Carolina's citizens (2000)
  • University of South Carolina School of Law - Compleat Lawyer Award, Gold Category (2010)
  • Selected as a member of the Liberty Fellowship Class of 2009
  • Clemson Advancement Foundation - Former Trustee
  • Charleston Business Magazine's "Legal Elite of the Lowcountry" (2022-Present)

Media

Admissions

  • State Bar: South Carolina State Courts
  • U.S. District Court: District of South Carolina
  • U.S. Tax Court
  • U.S. Court of Federal Claims
  • U.S. Court of Appeals: Fourth Circuit, Fifth Circuit, Federal Circuit, District of Columbia Circuit
  • U.S. Supreme Court
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