This is a method of fabricating a lateral gate, vertical drift region transistor including a semiconductor substrate having a drain on the reverse surface. A doped semiconductor layer is formed on the substrate and a high resistivity region is formed adjacent the surface of the doped layer so as to define a vertical drift region in the doped layer. A lateral channel is formed on the high resistivity region and the doped layer so as to communicate with the vertical drift region. A source is positioned on the lateral channel spaced laterally from the vertical drift region and a gate is positioned on the lateral channel between the drift region and the source.