An MIS contact structure comprises a layer of semiconductor material, a layer of insulating material having a contact opening formed therein, a layer of contact insulating material having substantially vertically oriented portions and a substantially horizontally oriented portion, the vertically oriented portions of the layer of contact insulating material contacting a portion, but not all, of the sidewalls of the contact opening and the horizontally oriented portion of the layer of contact insulating material contacting the semiconductor layer. A conductive material is positioned on the layer of contact insulating material within the contact opening, the conductive material layer having vertically oriented portions and a horizontally oriented portion and a conductive contact positioned in the contact opening that contacts the uppermost surfaces of the conductive material layer and the layer of contact insulating material.