He has served South Carolina, the United States and the legal profession for more than four decades and rose to the position of Chief Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit.

Wilkins returned to private practice to represent companies and individuals in state and federal litigation. He regularly participates as the lead attorney in commercial litigation throughout the state.

On three occasions, Greenville Business magazine named him to its list of the "most influential" people.

As then Senate President Pro Tempore Senator Glenn McConnell stated publicly, Wilkins played a key role in negotiations that brought Boeing to South Carolina.