A semiconductor device having a lateral channel with contacts on opposing surfaces thereof and a method of forming the same. In one embodiment, the semiconductor device includes a conductive substrate having a first contact covering a substantial portion of a bottom surface thereof. The semiconductor device also includes a lateral channel above the conductive substrate. The semiconductor device further includes a second contact above the lateral channel. The semiconductor device still further includes an interconnect that connects the lateral channel to the conductive substrate. The interconnect is operable to provide a low resistance coupling between the first contact and the lateral channel.