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Turning 125: Nelson Mullins Celebrating 125 Years of Legal Service in 2022
In January 1897, attorney P.H. Nelson left his position as solicitor of the Fifth Judicial Circuit to set up a private law practice in Columbia, S.C. The State newspaper contained a short but prescient news item on Jan. 26 about the endeavor, which noted that "the new firm should meet with great success."
And they were right. Today, Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP offers legal services in 15 states and the District of Columbia from 31 offices with 930+ attorneys, policy advisors, and professionals. It is the 71st largest law firm in the nation based on 2021 gross revenues, according to The American Lawyer’s Am Law 100, a legal news organization that tracks law firm growth.
Throughout 2022, Nelson Mullins will be sharing seminal events from its history that highlight its growth from a one-man firm in 1897 to where we are today. Click here to learn more.
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September 14, 2022
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David H. Wilkins
Partner
2 W. Washington Street
Suite 400
Greenville, SC 29601
Suite 900
Washington, D.C., 20001
David Wilkins chairs the public policy and international law practice group with a special focus on U.S.-Canada interests. He proudly served as U.S. ambassador to Canada from June 2005 to January 2009, appointed by President George W. Bush. Since returning home from Canada, David spent six years chairing the Clemson University Board of Trustees and...
David Wilkins chairs the public policy and international law practice group with a special focus on U.S.-Canada interests. He proudly served as U.S. ambassador to Canada from June 2005 to January 2009, appointed by President George W. Bush. Since returning home from Canada, David spent six years chairing the Clemson University Board of Trustees and is now a trustee emeritus member of that board. He also sits on the board of United Community Bank.
In 2010, then South Carolina's Governor-elect Nikki Haley tapped David to chair her government transition team. First elected in 1980, David served 25 years in the South Carolina House of Representatives. He was elected speaker in 1994 — a position he held for 11 years until he resigned for his ambassadorship post. He is the recipient of numerous honorary degrees and awards including the state's highest honor, the Order of the Palmetto. David and his wife Susan have two sons, a daughter-in-law, and grandchildren.
is now a trustee emeritus member of that board. He also sits on the board of United Community Bank.
In 2010, then South Carolina's Governor-elect Nikki Haley tapped David to chair her government transition team. First elected in 1980, David served 25 years in the South Carolina House of Representatives. He was elected speaker in 1994 — a position he held for 11 years until he resigned for his ambassadorship post. He is the recipient of numerous honorary degrees and awards including the state's highest honor, the Order of the Palmetto. David and his wife Susan have two sons, a daughter-in-law, and grandchildren.
Experience
- As ambassador, helped resolve issues between Canada and the United States, including the decades-old softwood lumber trade dispute
- Worked on issues such as energy, national security, the environment, trade, and travel
- Practiced law for 34 years in Greenville, South Carolina, before assuming ambassadorship and has extensive experience in civil litigation and appellate law
Education
- University of South Carolina School of Law
- Clemson University
Admissions
- South Carolina
Practice Areas
Industries
- As ambassador, helped resolve issues between Canada and the United States, including the decades-old softwood lumber trade dispute
- Worked on issues such as energy, national security, the environment, trade, and travel
- Practiced law for 34 years in Greenville, South Carolina, before assuming ambassadorship and has extensive experience in civil litigation and appellate law
Media
Recognitions
- The Best Lawyers in America©, Government Relations Practice, International Trade and Finance Law (2016–2022)
- Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business, Government Relations – Nationwide (2022)
- The Legal 500 United States, Government: Government relations (2020–2022)
- Canada Governor General’s Medallion for service in promoting and enhancing the Canada–U.S. relationship (2016)
- Greenville Business Magazine Legal Elite of the Upstate, Government Relations (2013–2021)
Leadership
- Elected to the South Carolina House of Representatives in 1980 and served there for 25 years
- Served six years as Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee and two years as Speaker Pro Tem before being elected Speaker of the House, a post he held for eleven years
- First Republican elected Speaker of any legislative body in the South since the 1880s and retired as one of the longest serving speakers in the country
- Served as President of the National Speakers’ Association in 2001
- State Chairman of the Bush–Cheney ‘04 campaign and Co–Chair of the campaign in 2000
- Appointed by President Bush to the Board of Visitors of the United States Academy at West Point in 2002 and served until 2005
- Member, Clemson University Board of Trustees (2007–2021); Trustee Emeritus (2021-present); Chairman of the Board 2009–2015)
- Board of Directors, United Community Banks, Inc.
- Served as Governor Nikki Haley's government transition team chair in 2010
Military
- U.S. Army
- U.S. Army Reserves
David Wilkins chairs the public policy and international law practice group with a special focus on U.S.-Canada interests. He proudly served as U.S. ambassador to Canada from June 2005 to January 2009, appointed by President George W. Bush. Since returning home from Canada, David spent six years chairing the Clemson University Board of Trustees and... is now a trustee emeritus member of that board. He also sits on the board of United Community Bank.
In 2010, then South Carolina's Governor-elect Nikki Haley tapped David to chair her government transition team. First elected in 1980, David served 25 years in the South Carolina House of Representatives. He was elected speaker in 1994 — a position he held for 11 years until he resigned for his ambassadorship post. He is the recipient of numerous honorary degrees and awards including the state's highest honor, the Order of the Palmetto. David and his wife Susan have two sons, a daughter-in-law, and grandchildren.
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.- As ambassador, helped resolve issues between Canada and the United States, including the decades-old softwood lumber trade dispute
- Worked on issues such as energy, national security, the environment, trade, and travel
- Practiced law for 34 years in Greenville, South Carolina, before assuming ambassadorship and has extensive experience in civil litigation and appellate law
Education
- University of South Carolina School of Law
- Clemson University
Admissions
- South Carolina
Practice Areas
- Federal Government Strategies
- Government Relations
- International Relations & Sovereign Government Advocacy
Industries
- The Best Lawyers in America©, Government Relations Practice, International Trade and Finance Law (2016–2022)
- Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business, Government Relations – Nationwide (2022)
- The Legal 500 United States, Government: Government relations (2020–2022)
- Canada Governor General’s Medallion for service in promoting and enhancing the Canada–U.S. relationship (2016)
- Greenville Business Magazine Legal Elite of the Upstate, Government Relations (2013–2021)
- Elected to the South Carolina House of Representatives in 1980 and served there for 25 years
- Served six years as Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee and two years as Speaker Pro Tem before being elected Speaker of the House, a post he held for eleven years
- First Republican elected Speaker of any legislative body in the South since the 1880s and retired as one of the longest serving speakers in the country
- Served as President of the National Speakers’ Association in 2001
- State Chairman of the Bush–Cheney ‘04 campaign and Co–Chair of the campaign in 2000
- Appointed by President Bush to the Board of Visitors of the United States Academy at West Point in 2002 and served until 2005
- Member, Clemson University Board of Trustees (2007–2021); Trustee Emeritus (2021-present); Chairman of the Board 2009–2015)
- Board of Directors, United Community Banks, Inc.
- Served as Governor Nikki Haley's government transition team chair in 2010
- U.S. Army
- U.S. Army Reserves
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