Dwight F. Drake
Partner
1320 Main Street
17th Floor
Columbia, SC 29201
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
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
Industries
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
Media
Recognitions
- The Best Lawyers in America®, Government Relations Practice (2007–2026)
- Lawyer of the Year in Columbia, S.C. for Government Relations Practice (2021)
- Columbia Business Monthly "Legal Elite of the Midlands"
- Government Finance (2022–2023)
- Government Relations (2020–2024)
- 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
The 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
Industries
- The Best Lawyers in America®, Government Relations Practice (2007–2026)
- Lawyer of the Year in Columbia, S.C. for Government Relations Practice (2021)
- Columbia Business Monthly "Legal Elite of the Midlands"
- Government Finance (2022–2023)
- Government Relations (2020–2024)
- 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
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