F. Cordes Ford IV

F. Cordes Ford IV is the Managing Partner of Womble Bond Dickinson’s Charleston office and a key member of the Business Litigation Practice Group Construction Team. He represents owners, developers, general contractors, subcontractors, architects, sureties, insurers, and product manufacturers. His practice covers construction and commercial disputes in state and federal courts and arbitration, along with contract drafting and risk advice designed to help clients prevent disputes before projects reach litigation.

Ford earned a J.D. from the University of South Carolina School of Law in 2003 and a B.A. from Furman University in 1998. In law school, he served as an Articles Editor for the South Carolina Law Review, received a CALI Award in Civil Procedure, and earned Dean’s List recognition. His academic work supports a practice that combines complex litigation, written advocacy, contract analysis, and strategic advice for construction-industry clients.

Ford handles payment and mechanic’s lien claims, delay and inefficiency disputes, project closeout issues, warranty and construction defect matters, product claims, bond disputes, insurance coverage, and bad faith claims. His broader litigation work includes commercial, contract, and property disputes, business breakups, wage-payment claims, and will contests. He drafts and negotiates construction contracts and advises on indemnity, additional insurance, warranties, policies, endorsements, and surety bonds.

F. Cordes Ford IV has received Best Lawyers recognition in Construction Law and Litigation – Construction and was named a Charleston Lawyer of the Year for Litigation – Construction in 2023. He combines trial and arbitration experience with early project counseling, helping clients evaluate exposure, structure contracts, allocate risk, and resolve disputes efficiently while remaining prepared to litigate significant construction and business claims.

Law Office Affiliations

• Partner, Womble Bond Dickinson
• Member, South Carolina Bar
• Member, American Bar Association
• Member, Charleston County Bar Association
• Member, Defense Research Institute, Construction Law Committee
• Member, Federal Bar Association

Licensed State

• South Carolina

Awards & Badges