Leighton Lord

W. Leighton Lord III practices in the areas of economic development, corporate, partnership and real estate law. His legal practice has a special emphasis on economic development and real estate financing, commercial leasing and state land sale registrations.  Mr. Lord is the former Chairman of Nexsen Pruet.

Prior to joining Nexsen Pruet, Mr. Lord clerked for the prestigious Delaware Chancery Court before practicing corporate litigation in Wilmington, Delaware. Mr. Lord also served for three years as staff counsel to the U.S. Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations.

Mr. Lord is a contributing author of "Protecting the Land: Conservation Easements Past, Present and Future." He received his law degree from Vanderbilt University, with honors.

• Delaware Chancery Court - Law Clerk
• U.S. Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations - Staff Counsel
• Liberty Fellow
• Santee Cooper - Board of Directors
• Heathwood Hall Episcopal School - Past Board Chair, Current Foundation Board Member
• Palmetto Club - Board of Governors
• Riley Institute Diversity Fellow

• Lead counsel for aircraft manufacturer in negotiating governmental incentives for a commercial aircraft manufacturing facility
• Lead counsel for international bottled water company for due diligence and land acquisition for a bottled water facility
• Lead real estate counsel for international manufacturer in simultaneous siting of two facilities each having a value of over $200,000,000.00
• Lead counsel in the structuring and development of over 25 multifamily projects in the Southeast, including Ridenour in Cobb County, Georgia and Park Road, in Charlotte, North Carolina
• Lead counsel in the structuring and development of over 15 condominium projects including the $75,000,000.00 Renaissance in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina
• Lead counsel for regional trucking company in the acquisition and development of service centers throughout the Southeast, including recent development projects in Chattanooga, Tennessee and Raleigh, North Carolina as well as the recent acquisition of a portfolio of 23 interstate truck service centers located in 12 states
• Currently represent more than 50 resort developers in their state land sale registrations
• Represented buyers of retail centers including the recent acquisition of Thornblade Center in Greenville, South Carolina South and North Carolina counsel on major multi-state acquisition and financing transactions including that of Outback Steakhouse and Extended Stay America
• Drafted and negotiated major leases in medical office, downtown office building  and retail projects

• "Nexsen Pruet creates communications subsidiary"
  On April 15th, The Columbia Regional Business Report featured "Nexsen Pruet creates communications subsidiary" in its "Morning Report" e-news blast.
• Nexsen Pruet Law Firm Launches NP Strategy; Director says clients often need more than legal advice
  Nexsen Pruet, a law firm with more than 190 attorneys in eight Carolina offices, has formed NP Strategy. The wholly-owned communications subsidiary is comprised of a veteran group of professionals from media, public policy, public relations and business.
• Nexsen Pruet Attorneys Named to the 2013 Edition of Best Lawyers in America®
  Nexsen Pruet attorneys have been named to the Best Lawyers in America® list for 2013.
• Nexsen Pruet Attorneys and Practice Groups Ranked Among Top in the Carolinas
  Nexsen Pruet attorneys and practice areas have been recognized by a leading legal directory in both North and South Carolina.
• "Winning Boeing - Serendipitous encounter pulled Wilkins into hunt for Boeing"
  "Winning Boeing - Serendipitous encounter pulled Wilkins into hunt for Boeing" is the cover story of the May 14th edition of the Columbia Regional Business Report. Veteran reporter Jim Hammond detailed the important role Nexsen Pruet attorney Billy Wilkins played in bringing the aerospace manufacturing giant to South Carolina.
• "1st S.C.-made Boeing Dreamliner to roll out April 27"
  "When I think back to the days when we were huddled around that conference table, Boeing was just a hope," (Lt. Gov. Glenn) McConnell said last week, referring to the summer 2009 meetings in the downtown law offices of Nexsen Pruet that brought Boeing to the Palmetto State.
• (Video) Nexsen Pruet Helps the Salvation Army's Red Kettle Campaign
  Nexsen Pruet attorneys and staffers volunteered their time to serve as bell ringers for The Salvation Army's Red Kettle campaign.
• 62 Attorneys Named to the 2012 Edition of Best Lawyers®
  Nexsen Pruet is proud to announce that 62 of its attorneys have been named to the 2012 edition of Best Lawyers®.
• Amy Clayton Selected for Leadership Columbia
  Clayton is an associate with the firm’s Real Estate Group. While she regularly represents clients on matters involving real estate development, leasing and financing, Clayton also handles a wide range of general business and transactional matters for corporations, non-profits and individuals.
• "S.C. sends delegation, business leaders to air show"
  After returning from the Paris Air Show, Nexsen Pruet attorney Leighton Lord told The Charleston Regional Business Journal about how the Palmetto state is seen "as a growing hub in the aviation industry."
• (Video)"Boeing opens new North Charleston assembly plant"
  At the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Boeing plant in North Charleston on June 10th, South Carolina Senate President Pro Tempore Glenn McConnell told the audience "It was just a few short years ago when we met at Nexsen Pruet and looked at the concept with the officials from Boeing. Look what this State has achieved as a team."
• "To Win, SC Leaders Must Work Together"
  Nexsen Pruet attorney Leighton Lord moderated a forum hosted by the South Carolina District Council of the Urban Land Institute (ULI South Carolina).
• Leighton Lord to Mentor Liberty Fellow
  Nexsen Pruet attorney Leighton Lord will served as a Senior Advisor to one of the members of the Liberty Fellowship Class of 2012.
• "Good waiters make good lawyers"
  Nexsen Pruet attorney Leighton Lord authors an article for South Carolina Lawyers Weekly.
• "Disclosure form is one more hurdle for lawyer candidates"
  Nexsen Pruet attorney Leighton Lord discusses some of the obstacles facing attorneys from large firms who wish to seek political office with South Carolina Lawyers Weekly.
• Leighton Lord Serves on Haley Transition Team
  Former Nexsen Pruet Board Chairman Leighton Lord is serving on the trasition team for South Carolina Governor-elect Nikki Haley.
• "Downtown law school idea draws differing views”
  Nexsen Pruet attorney Leighton Lord speaks to the Columbia Regional Business Report for an article entitled "Downtown law school idea draws differing views.”
• Fifty-nine Attorneys Selected for Best Lawyers in America®; Five Practice Areas Listed Among Top in the Carolinas
  Nexsen Pruet is proud to announce that 59 of its attorneys have been named to the 2011 edition of Best Lawyers®.
• "Runoff Choices Clearer"
  The June 18th, 2010 edition of Myrtle Beach's The Sun News features an endorsement of Leighton Lord in the upcoming GOP runoff in the race to be South Carolina Attorney General.
• "Leighton Lord for attorney general"
  The June 17th, 2010 edition of The State newspaper features an endorsement of Leighton Lord in the upcoming GOP runoff in the race to be South Carolina Attorney General.
• Newspapers endorse Leighton Lord
  The State and The Sun News have endorsed Nexsen Pruet's Leighton Lord in the race for the Republican nomination for attorney general.
• Nexsen Pruet Attorneys Address InnoVenture Southeast 2010
  Nexsen Pruet attorneys Leighton Lord and John Perkins address InnoVenture Southeast 2010.
• "Incentives aren’t the only thing"
  GSA Business reports on Leighton Lord's presentation about Boeing at InnoVenture Southeast 2010.
• Healthy Learners Honors Nexsen Pruet Attorneys
  Two Nexsen Pruet attorneys have been honored for their dedication to improving the health and well-being of children from economically disadvantaged families in South Carolina.
• John Sowards Elected Board Chairman
  Nexsen Pruet attorneys have elected John Sowards as the law firm’s Chairman of the Board.
• "Where have all the women gone?"
  Nexsen Pruet's Marguerite Willis tells The Columbia Star that in order for South Carolina to succeed, the state must address the fact that fewer and fewer women are being elected to political office.
• Boeing's Test Flight of the 787 Dreamliner
  Boeing's test flight of the 787 Dreamliner on December 15, 2009
• "The 'new normal' changes business rules"
  Nexsen Pruet Board Chairman Leighton Lord is interviewed for an article entitled "The 'new normal' changes business rules" in the December 6th edition of Columbia's The State newspaper.
• "Boeing groundbreaking in North Charleston"
  The November 21st - December 4th edition of "News from the South Carolina Department of Commerce" features a video of the recent Boeing groundbreaking in North Charleston.
• Groundbreaking Ceremony for Boeing's New Facility
  Political and business leaders from across the Carolinas and beyond attended a ceremony for Boeing's new 787 Dreamliner facility.
• "For a moment, Boeing brought accord in Columbia"
  The November 9th edition of GSA Business features an article entitled "For a moment, Boeing brought accord in Columbia." Nexsen Pruet board chairman spoke to reporter Mike Fitts about how "South Carolina’s power structure can function well."
• Media Reports on 1st Boeing Contract
  The S.C. Department of Commerce has announced the design-to-build contract for the new Boeing in North Charleston.
• "Bringing Boeing to S.C. - THE ART OF THE DEAL"
  The Charleston Post and Courier references Nexsen Pruet's role in the Boeing deal in an article entitled "Bringing Boeing to S.C. - THE ART OF THE DEAL."
• “Former federal judge played pivotal role in landing Boeing”
  The Greenville News reports on Billy Wilkins' role in the Boeing deal in an article entitled "Former federal judge played pivotal role in landing Boeing."
• "Sanford signs incentive legislation into law"
  State leaders thank Ric Tapp and Nexsen Pruet attorneys for working to negotiate the Boeing incentives package that was approved by the South Carolina legislature.
• "Boeing move could spread across state"
  Billy Wilkins tells The Greenville News how Nexsen Pruet's Economic Development team worked to help Boeing come to South Carolina.
• "Boeing reps talk big benefits in South Carolina"
  WMBF News interviews Nexsen Pruet board chairman Leighton Lord about Boeing's potential impact on South Carolina.
• Nexsen Pruet Plays Key Role in Deal to Bring Boeing to South Carolina
  Nexsen Pruet attorneys played a key role in helping aircraft maker Boeing land new jobs in South Carolina.
• Nexsen Pruet Earns Designation as 'Midlands Green Business'
  Nexsen Pruet has earned designation as a Midlands Green Business, joining other Columbia-area organizations that are committed to environmentally responsible practices in the workplace.
• "A Conversation with Leighton Lord - Candidate for Attorney General of SC"
  MidlandsBiz publishes "A Conversation with Leighton Lord - Candidate for Attorney General of SC" in its October 1st edition.
• "Legal practices shift as economy veers"
  Nexsen Pruet board chairman Leighton Lord is interviewed for an article in the Columbia Regional Business Journal entitled "Legal practices shift as economy veers."
• Nexsen Pruet Board Chairman to run for South Carolina Attorney General
  Nexsen Pruet board chairman, Leighton Lord, will run for South Carolina Attorney General.
• Fifty-eight Attorneys Selected for Best Lawyers in America®
  Fifty-eight Nexsen Pruet attorneys will be included in the 2010 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®.
• Nexsen Pruet: Only Law Firm Listed for North and South Carolina in "Trade Allies" Directory
  The new edition of Southern Business & Development magazine features the "1st Annual Trade Allies Directory." Nexsen Pruet is the only law firm listed in both North and South Carolina.
• Leighton Lord Appointed to Santee Cooper Board
  Nexsen Pruet Board Chairman Leighton Lord has been appointed to the Santee Cooper Board.
• "Conversations: Leighton Lord, Chairman of Nexsen Pruet"
  The June 4th edition of MidlandsBiz features a "Conversation" with Nexsen Pruet Board Chairman Leighton Lord.
• Leighton Lord Graduates from Midlands Diversity Leaders Initiative
  Nexsen Pruet is pleased to announce that Board Chairman Leighton Lord has graduated from the Midlands Diversity Leaders Initiative.
• Law grads face tough job market
  

  Triad Business Journal reporter Steve Ivey interviewed Nexsen Pruet Board Chairman Leighton Lord for article entitled "Law grads face tough job market."

• Real Estate Alert
  Nexsen Pruet's Real Estate Practice Group wants to provide you with the information and tools you will need to get to dry land unscathed and ready to make your next deal.
• Nexsen Pruet Among 250 Largest U.S. Law Firms
  The National Law Journal has listed Nexsen Pruet as one of the 250 largest law firms in the country. This is the publication’s 31st annual survey.
• Nexsen Pruet Creates Distressed Property and Workout Practice Group
  The new group will provide clients with resources, skills and experience to help navigate issues that emerge during periods of economic and financial uncertainty.
• 45 Nexsen Pruet Attorneys Selected for Best Lawyers
  Columbia, SC – Forty-five Nexsen Pruet attorneys will be included in the 2009 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®. The publication also ranks Nexsen Pruet #1 in eleven practice areas in South Carolina and three in North Carolina.
• Tribuddies Dream is Realized
  Columbia, SC – A lawyer’s dream of a program to help deserving kids is now reality. Tribuddies is helping children in the Midlands to build character, confidence, and spirit. Through the new program, “Bigs” and “Littles” from Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Columbia are paired with coaches to train for triathlons.
• Nexsen Pruet Named Among Top Economic Development Law Firms in the Southeast
  Southern Business & Development magazine has named Nexsen Pruet one of the top law firms for economic development in the South – and the only one recognized in South Carolina.
• Video Produced for Innoventure 2008
  Learn more about Nexsen Pruet from our video for InnoVenture - a conference bringing together entrepreneurs and venture capitalists.
• Leighton Lord and Neil Robinson Nominated to Founding Class of ULI South Carolina Center For Sustainable Leadership
  Columbia, SC - Nexsen Pruet’s Leighton Lord and Neil Robinson have been nominated as founding class members of the Urban Land Institute South Carolina Center for Sustainable Leadership.
• Leighton Lord to Chair Midlands Section of Urban Land Institute
  W. Leighton Lord III, Chairman of the Board of Nexsen Pruet, has been elected Chair of the Midlands section of the Urban Land Institute (ULI) and will serve on the organization’s statewide executive committee.
• Nexsen Pruet Honored by S.C. Bar Foundation for Lifetime "Philanthropic Leadership"
  The South Carolina Bar Foundation passed a resolution honoring Nexsen Pruet for its “unwavering dedication” and “philanthropic leadership” in support of the Foundation’s efforts to promote justice and enhance the legal profession.
• Leighton Lord Chosen For Liberty Fellowship's Class Of 2008
  W. Leighton Lord III, chairman of the board of Nexsen Pruet, has been chosen for the 2008 class of the Liberty Fellowship, a statewide leadership initiative.
• Leighton Lord Elected Chairman of Nexsen Pruet
  The Members of Nexsen Pruet, LLC have elected W. Leighton Lord III as the firm’s chairman of the board.

• "A Green Trifecta: Save Money, Create Jobs, Conserve"
  Nexsen Pruet attorney, Leighton Lord, and Santee Cooper Vice-President, Laura Varn, want to educate South Carolinians on ways to create a more sustainable economy when it comes to energy efficiency.
• "A Case for Coordinating Economic Development Planning with Energy Planning"
  Nexsen Pruet attorney Leighton Lord co-authored an article discussing the impact that energy costs have on economic development planning for the South Carolina Journal for International Law and Business.
• "Good waiters make good lawyers"
  Nexsen Pruet attorney Leighton Lord authors an article for South Carolina Lawyers Weekly.
• Trade Allies Directory
  The new edition of Southern Business & Development magazine features the "1st Annual Trade Allies Directory." Nexsen Pruet is the only law firm listed in both North and South Carolina. What's more, Sanford Holshouser, the firm Nexsen Pruet joined forces with in January, also made the list in North Carolina.
• Top 10 Law Firms that Understand Economic Development
  Nexsen Pruet is named among the top law firms in the Southeast for economic development - and is the only law firm listed in South Carolina.
• Commercial Leases: A Company's Most Important Contract
  Many companies today do not give their leases the same respect they give commercial contracts. The problem is that most leases are far more important than the majority of contracts the company enters into. This article will attempt to address some of the basics of understanding and negotiating a commercial lease on behalf of a tenant. While many companies may be landlords, typically a company is a tenant. That being said, the issues raised in this article are of equal interest to a landlord.
• What You Need to Know About State Land Sale Regulations
• David v. Goliath - Negotiating a commercial lease on behalf of the tenant
• Protecting the Land: Conservation Easements Past, Present and Future
  Leighton Lord helped write the South Carolina chapter on conservation easements....

• "South Carolina’s Job Search: A Look at Business Incentive Programs"