W. Ford Graham

Prior to joining K&L Gates, Ford served as director of international strategy & trade for the South Carolina Department of Commerce. In that role, he directed all aspects of the agency’s international efforts including South Carolina’s four international offices in Delhi, Munich, Shanghai, and Tokyo, uncovering Foreign Direct Investment opportunities, and assisting South Carolina companies with exporting their products to the rest of the world. Before that, he worked as general counsel for a real estate development/investment firm and served as a law clerk in the 5th and 14th Judicial Circuits of South Carolina. Graham also served as a United States Peace Corps Volunteer in Guatemala.

• Recognized by Charleston Business Magazine as “Legal Elite of the Lowcountry” 2018, 2019
• Received the Distinguished Young Alumni Award from University of South Carolina’s Darla Moore School of Business, 2017
• President of the Council of American States in Europe (CASE), 2012 - 2014, 2014-2015
• Recognized by The State Newspaper as one of the “20 Under 40” emerging business leaders, 2011
• Received South Carolina’s Rural Development Service Award, 2009

• Folks Center for International Business, Moore School of Business, University of South Carolina, Board Member
• Council of American States in Europe (40-year old organization consisting of the 17 American states with representatives in Europe), immediate past President
• Returned Peace Corps Volunteers of South Carolina, immediate past President, Vice President
• ScoutReach Columbia (underprivileged youth scouting program), Chairman of the Whitney M. Young Awards Banquet, Finance Committee Chair, Board Member

• 2021 SC Bar Convention, “2021 Timely Aspects and Updates on International Law Featuring Dispute Resolution, The Hague, Trade and Intellectual Property,” October 2020
• Council of American States in Europe: USA Investment Roundtable, “Economic Development After COVID-19: What it Means for Existing & Prospective Companies,” June 2020
• SelectUSA Canada Conference: Due Diligence & Site Selection, December 2019
• U.S. Embassy in the Czech Republic: You Will Need a Lawyer: Best Practices for Doing Business in the U.S., September 2019
• U.S. Embassy in Switzerland: How U.S. Tax Reform Impacts Doing Business and Investments Between the United States and Switzerland, March 2018
• Charleston Regional Development Alliance Quarterly Briefing: Foreign Direct Investment in South Carolina, February 2017
• Southern Forest Products Export Conference: Europe and Asia Market, Moderator, October 2016
• Global South Metro Exchange Conference: Growing South Carolina's Globally Connected Economy, July 2016
• Business Black Box Leader Series: How South Carolina is Protecting its Reputation as a Manufacturing and Export Capital, Panelist, May 2016
• South Carolina Manufacturing Alliance Plant Management Annual Conference: South Carolina: A Global Player in a Competitive Game, April 2016
• Comcast Chindia Summit: Globalization of Chindia Enterprises, March 2016