Richard S. Dukes
Rich Dukes has practiced law in South Carolina since 1999, and practiced in Birmingham, Ala. from 2003 until returning to South Carolina in 2006. 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. Rich is a leader in innovative uses of technology to streamline information management in complex business litigation.
An active member of the Charleston community, Rich serves in leadership roles with the Rotary Club of Charleston. He has lived in South Carolina for much of his adult life, having spent 10 years in Columbia before relocating to Charleston in 2006. He is an enthusiastic outdoorsman and moderately enthusiastic golfer.
Representative Matters
Class Action
- 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.
Renewable Energy
- Served as counsel for distribution, and generation and transmission cooperatives.
- Litigated cases before the Public Service Commission for individual co-ops, and represented various cooperatives in litigation over ancillary business ventures such as propane, alternative fuels and renewable energy, or attachment fees for cable TV lines run by co-op-owned poles.
- Advised cooperatives regarding board member elections. Rich has also defended cooperatives involved in litigation challenging the results of board elections.