David E. Dukes
Partner
Meridian
1320 Main Street
17th Floor
Columbia, SC 29201
1320 Main Street
17th Floor
Columbia, SC 29201
Liberty Center
151 Meeting Street
Suite 600
Charleston, SC 29401
151 Meeting Street
Suite 600
Charleston, SC 29401
david.dukes@nelsonmullins.com
David practices in the areas of business litigation, technology litigation, pharmaceutical litigation, securities litigation, sports law, and coordination of national litigation. He has served as president of two national lawyer organizations. David also served as managing partner of the firm for more than 10 years and on the firm's Executive Committee for 27 years.
David practices in the areas of business litigation, technology litigation, pharmaceutical litigation, securities litigation, sports law, and coordination of national litigation. He has served as president of two national lawyer organizations. David also served as managing partner of the firm for more than 10 years and on the firm's Executive Committee for 27 years.
Experience
The following is a selected sampling of matters and is provided for informational purposes only. Past success does not indicate the likelihood of success in any future matter.
Experience
- Defense Liason Counsel, AFFF MDL
- Co-Lead Trial Counsel, Merck Gardasil MDL
- Lead Counsel, Clemson University v. ACC
- Served as national trial counsel in MDLs in Little Rock, Arkansas; Seattle, Washington; New Orleans, Louisiana; Charlotte, North Carolina; and Charleston, South Carolina
- Served as national trial counsel for companies in the pharmaceutical, computer, crop science and consumer products industries
- Tried cases in California, Pennsylvania, Colorado, Connecticut, Arkansas, West Virginia, Louisiana, Missouri, South Carolina and arbitrations in Texas and Geneva, Switzerland
- Represented clients in investigations and litigation brought by the South Carolina Attorney General
- Served as plaintiff's counsel in commercial litigation
Education
- University of South Carolina School of Law, JD, cum laude
- Clemson University, BS, Financial Management
Admissions
- South Carolina
- Supreme Court of the United States
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
- U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina
Practice Areas
The following is a selected sampling of matters and is provided for informational purposes only. Past success does not indicate the likelihood of success in any future matter.
Experience
- Defense Liason Counsel, AFFF MDL
- Co-Lead Trial Counsel, Merck Gardasil MDL
- Lead Counsel, Clemson University v. ACC
- Served as national trial counsel in MDLs in Little Rock, Arkansas; Seattle, Washington; New Orleans, Louisiana; Charlotte, North Carolina; and Charleston, South Carolina
- Served as national trial counsel for companies in the pharmaceutical, computer, crop science and consumer products industries
- Tried cases in California, Pennsylvania, Colorado, Connecticut, Arkansas, West Virginia, Louisiana, Missouri, South Carolina and arbitrations in Texas and Geneva, Switzerland
- Represented clients in investigations and litigation brought by the South Carolina Attorney General
- Served as plaintiff's counsel in commercial litigation
Media
Recognitions
The bar rules of some states require that the standards for an attorney's inclusion in certain public accolades or recognitions be provided. When such accolades or recognitions are listed, a hyperlink is provided that leads to a description of the respective selection methodology.
- The Best Lawyers in America®, Lawyer of the Year, Columbia, SC, Product Liability Litigation – Defendants (2026); Litigation - Securities (2021)
- The Best Lawyers in America®, Bet-the-Company Litigation (2001–2026); Commercial Litigation (2001–2026); Litigation -- Patent (2001–2026); Personal Injury Litigation -- Defendants (2001–2026); Product Liability Litigation – Defendants (2001–2026); Securities Litigation (2001-2026)
- Lawdragon 500 Leading Litigators in America: Product Liability, Intellectual Property, and Class Actions (2023–2025)
- Chambers Global: World's Leading Lawyers for Business, Litigation: Trial Lawyers – USA (2020–2022)
- LMG Life Sciences, Star in Non-IP Litigation & Enforcement for Product Liability (2019–2023)
- The Legal 500 United States:
- Dispute resolution: Product liability, mass tort, and class action -- defense: Toxic Tort (2019–2023)
- Dispute resolution: Product liability and mass tort defense: Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices (2022–2023)
- Benchmark Litigation
- Top 100 Trial Lawyers (2020–2022, 2024–2025)
- National Litigation Star (2019–2023)
- Local Litigation Star, General Commercial, Product Liability, Securities (2019–2025)
- Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business, Product Liability & Mass Torts – Nationwide (2014-2025), Litigation: Trial Lawyers – Nationwide (2014-2023), Litigation: General Commercial – South Carolina (2014–2025)
Chambers USA 2018 reports that, "David Dukes is an esteemed trial attorney who is particularly notable for his representation of major pharmaceutical and technology companies in high-profile product liability and mass tort cases, often acting in a lead trial counsel capacity. 'He's a really talented trial lawyer,' remarks one interviewee, adding that 'he's the most likeable person I have ever seen in court.'" - The Guide to the World’s Leading Product Liability Lawyers
- International Who's Who of Litigation (2014–2018)
- John W. Williams, Jr. Distinguished Service Award (2013)
- Ortmann Diversity Award (2012)
- International Who’s Who of Life Sciences Lawyers (2008–2018, 2021)
- International Who’s Who of Product Liability Defence Lawyers (2003–2018, 2020, 2022)
- International Who’s Who of Business Lawyers(annual compendiums)
- South Carolina Super Lawyers, Class Action (2020–2022)
Professional Activities
- Fellow, American College of Trial Lawyers
- Chair, ACTL Sandra Day O'Connor Jurist Award Committee (2019–2020)
- Fellow, International Academy of Trial Lawyers
- Advisory Board, Emory Law School Institute for Complex Litigation and Mass Claims
- Member, International Association of Defense Counsel
- Former Chair, Toxic and Hazardous Substances Litigation Committee
- Former Faculty, IADC Trial Academy
- Permanent Member, U.S. Fourth Circuit Judicial Conference
- Fellow, American Bar Foundation
- Member, Richland County Bar Association
- Member, South Carolina Defense Trial Attorneys' Association
- Member, DRI
Community
- Board of Trustees, Clemson University, Chair Finance and Facilities Committee
- Vice- Chair Belle W. Baruch Foundation Board, Hobcaw Barony
- South Carolina Livestock Poultry Health Commission
- South Carolina Crop Pest Commission
- Past Chair of Board of Directors, Liberty Fellowship (affiliated with the Aspen Institute Global Leadership Network)
- Past Board Member, First Citizens Bank
- Past Board Member, South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts Foundation
- Past Board Member, Foundation for the South Carolina Governor’s School for Science and Mathematics
- Past Trustee, Business Partnership Foundation, Moore School of Business, University of South Carolina
- Past Co-Chair, Advisory Board, City Year Columbia
Leadership
- Member, Firm's Executive Committee (1996-2023)
- Served as Managing Partner of the Firm (2001–2011)
- During tenure, the Firm was awarded the American Bar Association's John Minor Wisdom Award for public service and professionalism
- Past President, DRI – The Voice of the Defense Bar
- Board of Directors (2002–2008)
- Chairman, Drug and Device Law Committee (1999–2001)
- South Carolina State Chairman (1993–1997)
- Law Institute
- Past Board Chairman and Past President, Lawyers for Civil Justice
- Past Board Member, National Foundation for Judicial Excellence
- Past Member, Advisory Committee of the Law Firm Pro Bono Project, Georgetown University Law Center
David practices in the areas of business litigation, technology litigation, pharmaceutical litigation, securities litigation, sports law, and coordination of national litigation. He has served as president of two national lawyer organizations. David also served as managing partner of the firm for more than 10 years and on the firm's Executive Committee for 27 years.
Experience
The following is a selected sampling of matters and is provided for informational purposes only. Past success does not indicate the likelihood of success in any future matter.Experience
- Defense Liason Counsel, AFFF MDL
- Co-Lead Trial Counsel, Merck Gardasil MDL
- Lead Counsel, Clemson University v. ACC
- Served as national trial counsel in MDLs in Little Rock, Arkansas; Seattle, Washington; New Orleans, Louisiana; Charlotte, North Carolina; and Charleston, South Carolina
- Served as national trial counsel for companies in the pharmaceutical, computer, crop science and consumer products industries
- Tried cases in California, Pennsylvania, Colorado, Connecticut, Arkansas, West Virginia, Louisiana, Missouri, South Carolina and arbitrations in Texas and Geneva, Switzerland
- Represented clients in investigations and litigation brought by the South Carolina Attorney General
- Served as plaintiff's counsel in commercial litigation
Education
- University of South Carolina School of Law, JD, cum laude
- Clemson University, BS, Financial Management
Admissions
- South Carolina
- Supreme Court of the United States
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
- U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina
Practice Areas
- Products Liability - Pharmaceuticals & Medical Devices
- Commercial Litigation & Business Torts
- Intellectual Property Litigation
- Class Action & Multi-Claim Litigation
- State Attorneys General Actions
Industries
The bar rules of some states require that the standards for an attorney's inclusion in certain public accolades or recognitions be provided. When such accolades or recognitions are listed, a hyperlink is provided that leads to a description of the respective selection methodology.
- The Best Lawyers in America®, Lawyer of the Year, Columbia, SC, Product Liability Litigation – Defendants (2026); Litigation - Securities (2021)
- The Best Lawyers in America®, Bet-the-Company Litigation (2001–2026); Commercial Litigation (2001–2026); Litigation -- Patent (2001–2026); Personal Injury Litigation -- Defendants (2001–2026); Product Liability Litigation – Defendants (2001–2026); Securities Litigation (2001-2026)
- Lawdragon 500 Leading Litigators in America: Product Liability, Intellectual Property, and Class Actions (2023–2025)
- Chambers Global: World's Leading Lawyers for Business, Litigation: Trial Lawyers – USA (2020–2022)
- LMG Life Sciences, Star in Non-IP Litigation & Enforcement for Product Liability (2019–2023)
- The Legal 500 United States:
- Dispute resolution: Product liability, mass tort, and class action -- defense: Toxic Tort (2019–2023)
- Dispute resolution: Product liability and mass tort defense: Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices (2022–2023)
- Benchmark Litigation
- Top 100 Trial Lawyers (2020–2022, 2024–2025)
- National Litigation Star (2019–2023)
- Local Litigation Star, General Commercial, Product Liability, Securities (2019–2025)
- Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business, Product Liability & Mass Torts – Nationwide (2014-2025), Litigation: Trial Lawyers – Nationwide (2014-2023), Litigation: General Commercial – South Carolina (2014–2025)
Chambers USA 2018 reports that, "David Dukes is an esteemed trial attorney who is particularly notable for his representation of major pharmaceutical and technology companies in high-profile product liability and mass tort cases, often acting in a lead trial counsel capacity. 'He's a really talented trial lawyer,' remarks one interviewee, adding that 'he's the most likeable person I have ever seen in court.'" - The Guide to the World’s Leading Product Liability Lawyers
- International Who's Who of Litigation (2014–2018)
- John W. Williams, Jr. Distinguished Service Award (2013)
- Ortmann Diversity Award (2012)
- International Who’s Who of Life Sciences Lawyers (2008–2018, 2021)
- International Who’s Who of Product Liability Defence Lawyers (2003–2018, 2020, 2022)
- International Who’s Who of Business Lawyers(annual compendiums)
- South Carolina Super Lawyers, Class Action (2020–2022)
- Fellow, American College of Trial Lawyers
- Chair, ACTL Sandra Day O'Connor Jurist Award Committee (2019–2020)
- Fellow, International Academy of Trial Lawyers
- Advisory Board, Emory Law School Institute for Complex Litigation and Mass Claims
- Member, International Association of Defense Counsel
- Former Chair, Toxic and Hazardous Substances Litigation Committee
- Former Faculty, IADC Trial Academy
- Permanent Member, U.S. Fourth Circuit Judicial Conference
- Fellow, American Bar Foundation
- Member, Richland County Bar Association
- Member, South Carolina Defense Trial Attorneys' Association
- Member, DRI
- Board of Trustees, Clemson University, Chair Finance and Facilities Committee
- Vice- Chair Belle W. Baruch Foundation Board, Hobcaw Barony
- South Carolina Livestock Poultry Health Commission
- South Carolina Crop Pest Commission
- Past Chair of Board of Directors, Liberty Fellowship (affiliated with the Aspen Institute Global Leadership Network)
- Past Board Member, First Citizens Bank
- Past Board Member, South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts Foundation
- Past Board Member, Foundation for the South Carolina Governor’s School for Science and Mathematics
- Past Trustee, Business Partnership Foundation, Moore School of Business, University of South Carolina
- Past Co-Chair, Advisory Board, City Year Columbia
- Member, Firm's Executive Committee (1996-2023)
- Served as Managing Partner of the Firm (2001–2011)
- During tenure, the Firm was awarded the American Bar Association's John Minor Wisdom Award for public service and professionalism
- Past President, DRI – The Voice of the Defense Bar
- Board of Directors (2002–2008)
- Chairman, Drug and Device Law Committee (1999–2001)
- South Carolina State Chairman (1993–1997)
- Law Institute
- Past Board Chairman and Past President, Lawyers for Civil Justice
- Past Board Member, National Foundation for Judicial Excellence
- Past Member, Advisory Committee of the Law Firm Pro Bono Project, Georgetown University Law Center
Highlights from the Firm’s Insights
NMRS Attorneys Published in Florida Bar Journal on CCNA Procurements
November/December 2025
“Prime Equity” and the NIL Era: Shedeur Sanders’ Contract Ushers...
September 3, 2025
From the Ballpark to the Courtroom: “Babe Ruth” Charged in...
August 26, 2025
2025 Updates to HUD’s Section 8 Program: Key Considerations for...
October 16, 2025
FCC Download: Monthly Updates - October 2025
October 13, 2025