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Wilkins joins Nexsen Pruet law firm |
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Tuesday, 07 October 2008 |
SCBIZ Daily Staff
COLUMBIA -- William W. Wilkins, a Greenville native and former chief judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit, is joining the Columbia-based Nexsen Pruet law firm as a partner.
The Wilkins family is well-known in Columbia. Wilkins’ son Walt Wilkins is the U.S. Attorney for South Carolina, and his brother, former House Speaker David Wilkins, is the Bush administration’s ambassador to Canada.
Wilkins will lead Nexsen Pruet’s white-collar crime, appellate advocacy and corporate compliance/crisis management practice groups and will participate in the firm’s business litigation group, according to a statement issued by the firm.
His white-collar crime team will focus on the defense of individuals and organizations accused of criminal misconduct.
The appellate advocacy group concentrates its practice on defending or seeking reversal of lower court decisions. The corporate compliance/crisis management team works with clients to develop programs that ensure compliance with legal and regulatory requirements and to shape strategies aimed at protecting corporate reputations in the event of a crisis.
Wilkins, who will be based in Greenville, was President Reagan’s first selection to the federal bench; he appointed Wilkins to the U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina in 1981.
The 40-year veteran of the legal profession was the first chairman of the U.S. Sentencing Commission.
“We are honored that Judge Wilkins has chosen to serve the clients of Nexsen Pruet,” said Leighton Lord, the firm’s chairman of the board. “He brings a depth of skill and legal knowledge that — in large part because of his federal experience — is unique to law firms in this region. There is no question that he will help us take our scope of services to the next level.”
Wilkins said in the firm’s statement that he looks forward to using his experience to expand Nexsen Pruet’s practice.
“I plan to be deeply involved with the clients who can benefit from my background and look forward to making a direct, hands-on contribution to the businesses and individuals we represent,” Wilkins said.
In 1986, Wilkins was appointed U.S. circuit judge for the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals, which encompasses North and South Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia and Maryland. In 1999, he was named chairman of the Committee on Criminal Law for the federal judiciary by Chief Justice William Rehnquist. In 2003, Wilkins was elevated to the position of chief judge of the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals, and he served until taking senior status in July 2007. The American Bar Association recently honored him with its Lifetime Achievement Award.
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