Alert
Please keep in mind that merely contacting Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP will not establish an attorney-client relationship. Nelson Mullins cannot represent you until the firm knows there would not be a conflict of interest, and the firm determines that it is otherwise able to accept the engagement. Accordingly, please do not send Nelson Mullins any information or documents until a formal attorney-client relationship has been established through an interview with an attorney and authorized in the form of an engagement letter from Nelson Mullins. Any information or documents sent prior to your receipt of an engagement letter cannot be treated as confidences, secrets or protected information of any nature. Clicking "Submit" acknowledges that you understand and agree with this notice.
Idea Exchange
The LatestView All
November 16, 2021
7 Due Diligence Issues to Avoid False Claims Act Lawsuits
Nelson Mullins partners Jennifer Malinovsky and Ed White join Alice Harris, an attorney with Nexsen Pruet, to go over the key compliance areas to look for in due diligence.
Click here to learn more.
Dwight F. Drake
Partner
Meridian
1320 Main Street
17th Floor
Columbia, SC 29201
1320 Main Street
17th Floor
Columbia, SC 29201
dwight.drake@nelsonmullins.com
Dwight focuses his practice on government relations, legislative issues, and disputes involving government contracts. Maintaining an active litigation practice, Dwight has argued before the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit and the South Carolina Supreme Court.
Dwight focuses his practice on government relations, legislative issues, and disputes involving government contracts. Maintaining an active litigation practice, Dwight has argued before the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit and the South Carolina Supreme Court.
Experience
Following is a selected sampling of matters and is provided for informational purposes only. Past success does not indicate the likelihood of success in any future matter.
Experience
Dwight has been involved in the lobbying efforts for the following major legislation:
- Governor Riley's Education Improvement Act in the mid-1980s
- Interstate banking in the late-1980s
- Legislation providing for BMW to locate its manufacturing facility in South Carolina in the early 1990s
- Endowed Chairs Act (Centers of Economic Excellence)
- Economic Development Bond Act for BMW's expansion in the mid 2000s
- South Carolina Education Lottery Act in the late 1990's and early 2000s
- Medical Malpractice reform and the deregulation of communications throughout this decade
Previous Professional Experience
- Executive Assistant for Legislative and Political Affairs for South Carolina Governor Richard W. Riley
- Legal Counsel to South Carolina Governor John C. West
- Served on the Hodges for Governor Transition Committee
Educational Activities
- University of South Carolina School of Law
- President, Student Bar Association
- National Moot Court Team
- Phi Delta Phi
Education
- University of South Carolina School of Law, JD (1972)
- University of Georgia, BA (1967)
Admissions
- South Carolina
Practice Areas
Following is a selected sampling of matters and is provided for informational purposes only. Past success does not indicate the likelihood of success in any future matter.
Experience
Dwight has been involved in the lobbying efforts for the following major legislation:
- Governor Riley's Education Improvement Act in the mid-1980s
- Interstate banking in the late-1980s
- Legislation providing for BMW to locate its manufacturing facility in South Carolina in the early 1990s
- Endowed Chairs Act (Centers of Economic Excellence)
- Economic Development Bond Act for BMW's expansion in the mid 2000s
- South Carolina Education Lottery Act in the late 1990's and early 2000s
- Medical Malpractice reform and the deregulation of communications throughout this decade
Previous Professional Experience
- Executive Assistant for Legislative and Political Affairs for South Carolina Governor Richard W. Riley
- Legal Counsel to South Carolina Governor John C. West
- Served on the Hodges for Governor Transition Committee
Educational Activities
- University of South Carolina School of Law
- President, Student Bar Association
- National Moot Court Team
- Phi Delta Phi
Articles & Speeches
Recognitions
The bar rules of some states require that the standards for an attorney’s inclusion in certain public accolades or recognitions be provided. When such accolades or recognitions are listed, a hyperlink is provided that leads to a description of the respective selection methodology.
- The Best Lawyers in America® Lawyer of the Year, Columbia, S.C., Government Relations Practice (2021)
- The Best Lawyers in America® – Government Relations Practice (2007–2022)
- Columbia Business Monthly Legal Elite of the Midlands, Government (2020–2021)
- S.C. Supreme Court Pro Bono Honor Roll (2019)
- Lawyer of the Year in Government by American Lawyer (1981)
- Order of the Palmetto (two-time honoree), highest honor bestowed on a civilian by the S.C. Governor
- Permanent Member, Fourth Circuit Judicial Conference
Dwight focuses his practice on government relations, legislative issues, and disputes involving government contracts. Maintaining an active litigation practice, Dwight has argued before the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit and the South Carolina Supreme Court.
Experience
Following is a selected sampling of matters and is provided for informational purposes only. Past success does not indicate the likelihood of success in any future matter.Experience
Dwight has been involved in the lobbying efforts for the following major legislation:
- Governor Riley's Education Improvement Act in the mid-1980s
- Interstate banking in the late-1980s
- Legislation providing for BMW to locate its manufacturing facility in South Carolina in the early 1990s
- Endowed Chairs Act (Centers of Economic Excellence)
- Economic Development Bond Act for BMW's expansion in the mid 2000s
- South Carolina Education Lottery Act in the late 1990's and early 2000s
- Medical Malpractice reform and the deregulation of communications throughout this decade
Previous Professional Experience
- Executive Assistant for Legislative and Political Affairs for South Carolina Governor Richard W. Riley
- Legal Counsel to South Carolina Governor John C. West
- Served on the Hodges for Governor Transition Committee
Educational Activities
- University of South Carolina School of Law
- President, Student Bar Association
- National Moot Court Team
- Phi Delta Phi
Education
- University of South Carolina School of Law, JD (1972)
- University of Georgia, BA (1967)
Admissions
- South Carolina
Practice Areas
The bar rules of some states require that the standards for an attorney's inclusion in certain public accolades or recognitions be provided. When such accolades or recognitions are listed, a hyperlink is provided that leads to a description of the respective selection methodology.
- The Best Lawyers in America® Lawyer of the Year, Columbia, S.C., Government Relations Practice (2021)
- The Best Lawyers in America® – Government Relations Practice (2007–2022)
- Columbia Business Monthly Legal Elite of the Midlands, Government (2020–2021)
- S.C. Supreme Court Pro Bono Honor Roll (2019)
- Lawyer of the Year in Government by American Lawyer (1981)
- Order of the Palmetto (two-time honoree), highest honor bestowed on a civilian by the S.C. Governor
- Permanent Member, Fourth Circuit Judicial Conference
Highlights from the Firm’s Idea Exchange
Ready, set, go—for 2022 Stark group practice compliance!
December 2021
Old North State Report – December 3, 2021
December 3, 2021
Massachusetts Governor Baker Will Not Run For Re-Election
December 1, 2021