Richard S. Dukes
Rich Dukes is an experienced litigator and trial lawyer who has served as lead counsel in a wide variety of substantive areas of law, including professional liability, drug and medical device litigation, shareholders’ and stakeholders’ actions against directors and officers, and real estate litigation. Having represented many clients in “bet the company” cases posing enormous challenges, Rich strives to be sensitive to the demands that litigation places on his clients, while recognizing that they have many more concerns than the litigation itself. With that in mind, Rich is efficient in working with the client representative and general counsel to determine a litigation strategy that suits both the immediate and long-term business needs of the client.
Rich is a leader in innovative uses of technology to streamline information management in complex business litigation. He has successfully implemented strategies to employ advanced technology to maximize efficiency and to facilitate collaboration and effective division of labor with counsel in multiple states who are working on multiple related matters. In developing strategies to coordinate parallel litigation across several states, Rich has found that by embracing technological advances, the litigation team can work together to achieve favorable results.
Representative Matters
Drug and Medical Device Litigation
- Served as lead counsel for medical device manufacturers with cases in several states and has worked with local counsel to present a coordinated defense strategy. Rich has represented clients in both litigated matters and has successfully negotiated pre-suit resolution of serious injury cases.
Class Actions
- Serves as lead defense counsel in numerous class action cases. In so doing, Rich has represented national real estate development companies and golf course developers in suits regarding the duties and obligations of a real estate developer to the purchasers of property in the development.
Securities Litigation
- Regularly counsels clients in the securities and investments industry. Rich has appeared before the Securities Exchange Commission (SEC) and in private civil actions in matters involving alleged violations of federal and state securities laws and alleged breaches of fiduciary duties. He has also successfully defended numerous fee-based investment managers, investment professionals and investment advisors, and professionals offering retirement planning services in Financial Industry Regulation Authority arbitration and in civil actions over the advice provided and investments made by the disappointed client. Rich has successfully represented numerous brokers, dealers, and investment professionals in trade secret litigation after they have changed firms or jobs.
Professional Liability
- Defends professionals in malpractice and professional negligence claims. Rich has successfully defended a wide variety of attorneys, appraisers, investment professionals, physicians and other professionals.
Maritime Law
- Counsels marine salvage companies, towing companies, boat manufacturers and others in the admiralty and maritime industry regarding the application of maritime law to their particular issues or claims.