Former appeals court judge joins law firm

Former 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals Chief Judge William Wilkins has joined the Nexsen Pruet law firm as a partner.

Wilkins will lead the firm's white-collar crime, appellate advocacy and corporate compliance/crisis management practice groups, and actively participate in the firm's business litigation group, the firm announced Monday. Wilkins will be based in the firm's Greenville office.

"We are honored that Judge Wilkins has chosen to serve the clients of Nexsen Pruet," said Leighton Lord, chairman of the board of the firm, which has offices in both Carolinas. "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, of Greenville, was Ronald Reagan's first selection to the federal bench in the nation, part of a 40-year career of service that began as a law clerk for a federal judge.

Wilkins also was the first chairman of the U.S. Sentencing Commission, where he had a significant impact on the nation's federal criminal justice system.

Nexsen Pruet also has offices in Charleston, Hilton Head Island, Myrtle Beach and Charlotte and Greensboro, N.C.