Dwight F. Drake

Government Relations Practice

3.0 (1 reviews)

San Diego, South Carolina

18+ years experience

Updated: Jan 02, 2026

Contact Information

803-799-2000

https://www.nelsonmullins.com/people/dwight-drake

Meridian, 17th Floor 1320 Main Street Columbia SC US

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Bio

F. Drake brings dedication and expertise to Government Relations Practice law in South Carolina. F. Drake's 18 years of legal practice demonstrates a commitment to Government Relations Practice excellence. F. Drake is affiliated with Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP, where the focus is on client-centered service. F. Drake understands the stress legal issues create and works to ease client concerns. Dwight F. Drake serves South Carolina with a commitment to professional advocacy and client success.

Practice Areas

Government Relations Practice

Awards & Recognition

Lawyer of the Year: Government Relations Practice, Columbia, SC (2021)
Lawyer of the Year: Government Relations Practice, Columbia, SC (2012)
Recognized: Government Relations Practice
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

Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2007

Education

The University of South Carolina School of Law, J.D., graduated 1972
University of Georgia, BA, graduated 1967

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Reviews

Eric Torres

2 weeks ago

Competent on government relations, but communication was inconsistent

I engaged Dwight Drake of Nelson Mullins to assist with navigating a complex local permitting issue for a small development project in the Columbia area. His deep knowledge of South Carolina's government relations landscape was immediately apparent. With 18 years of focused practice and his recognition as Lawyer of the Year in this field, he clearly understands the regulatory and legislative processes. He successfully helped us structure our submissions to the relevant commission. However, the experience was not without its frustrations. While the ultimate outcome was satisfactory, there were periods where communication lagged significantly. Responses to emails could take several days, and it was sometimes difficult to get a clear timeline for next steps. For the premium rate, I expected more proactive updates. Mr. Drake is undoubtedly a skilled attorney in government relations, as his accolades confirm, but the client service aspect felt merely adequate. If you need top-tier expertise and can manage the follow-up yourself, he is a viable option.