Skip to Main Content
David E. Dukes

David E. Dukes

Partner

Meridian
1320 Main Street
17th Floor
Columbia, SC 29201
Liberty Center
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.

David E. Dukes

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

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.

  • 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
  • Trustee, Belle W. Baruch Foundation, Hobcaw Barony
  • 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