About David Graham
David Graham Leitch is a seasoned legal professional based in Charlotte, North Carolina. He earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Virginia School of Law in 1985, graduating first in his class. Prior to that, he completed his Bachelor’s degree in Public Policy Studies at Duke University in 1982. Leitch's legal career spans several decades, marked by significant roles in both the private and public sectors. In 2016, Leitch joined Bank of America as Global General Counsel, overseeing the bank's legal functions worldwide. He served in this capacity until his retirement in 2022. During his tenure, he was also appointed Vice Chair of the bank from 2021 to 2022.
Before his time at Bank of America, Leitch was General Counsel and Group Vice President at Ford Motor Company from 2005 to 2015. His earlier career includes serving as Deputy Counsel to President George W. Bush, Chief Counsel for the Federal Aviation Administration, and Deputy Assistant Attorney General in the U.S. Department of Justice's Office of Legal Counsel. Additionally, he was a partner at Hogan & Hartson L.L.P. (now Hogan Lovells US LLP) in Washington, D.C. Leitch began his legal career with clerkships for Circuit Judge J.
Harvie Wilkinson III of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit and Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist of the U.S. Supreme Court. These experiences laid the foundation for his extensive career in law and public service. In December 2023, Leitch was appointed to the board of directors of First Citizens BancShares, Inc., effective January 1, 2024. In this role, he serves on the Audit Committee and the Compensation, Nominations, and Governance Committee.
His appointment reflects his continued influence and expertise in the financial sector. Leitch's contributions to the legal field have been recognized by the Burton Foundation, which named him a "Legend in the Law" in 2017. He is also a member of the American Law Institute and has been involved with various organizations, including the Duke University Sanford School of Public Policy Board of Visitors and the United Way of Central Carolinas Board of Directors. As of February 2026, Leitch resides in Charlotte, North Carolina, and remains active in various professional and philanthropic endeavors.
