Richard S. Dukes, Jr.

Rich Dukes is a seasoned trial attorney with extensive experience in business litigation, class actions, products liability, and constitutional law. He has considerable experience in representing religious organizations in employment and liability disputes, leveraging a deep understanding of First Amendment protections. Rich regularly advises businesses and individuals on complex litigation matters.

Rich’s practice includes defending high-stakes class actions across industries, including financial institutions, municipalities, and developers. Notable victories include defeating class certification in cases involving over $100 million in potential liabilities and securing summary judgments for clients in breach of fiduciary duty and negligence claims. In commercial litigation, he has represented healthcare providers in disputes with insurance carriers and successfully argued before the Joint Panel on Multidistrict Litigation.

A leader in e-discovery, Rich has coordinated large-scale document reviews involving millions of files, employing advanced technologies like predictive coding to streamline complex litigation. His innovative approach ensures cost-effective and efficient solutions for his clients.

Rich’s awards include recognition by Best Lawyers in America for Commercial Litigation (2018-2024) and SC Super Lawyers for Constitutional Law and Personal Injury Defense (2013-2024). He holds an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell, the highest peer-reviewed distinction for legal expertise and ethics. He was elected to membership in the Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel.

Committed to resolving disputes efficiently, Rich’s personal approach balances aggressive advocacy with creative problem-solving. Whether defending religious organizations, financial institutions, or manufacturers, Rich consistently delivers results that protect his clients’ interests while fostering collaboration among teams.

With a proven track record of leadership and a client-focused philosophy, Rich is a trusted advocate for businesses, professionals, and individuals navigating complex legal challenges.

PR AV

Religious Organizations

Defended religious organizations in a variety of employment and employment-related claims in both federal and state courts.
Successfully defended a church against claims by a one-time minister who was fired for conduct that was contrary to church doctrine.
Represented religious school officials against defamation, conspiracy and wrongful discharge claims brought by a former teacher.
Defended several religious organizations against claims of sexual abuse by ministers, employees and volunteers. Obtained summary judgment in favor of the churches in more than one dozen claims.

Banking and Finance Litigation

As lead trial counsel, successfully obtained a jury verdict in favor of a national mortgage loan servicing company in a case involving alleged wrongful foreclosure, defamation, unfair trade practices and violations of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.
Successfully obtained directed verdict after four-day bench trial in favor of a title insurance company against claims of fraud, negligent misrepresentation, and bad faith arising from a property owner’s inability to use property valued at over $1 million as he desired.

Commercial and Business Litigation

Represented a federally chartered financial institution in breach of fiduciary duty and negligence claims against its former officers arising from alleged mismanagement of the institution’s business affairs and failure to comply with the standard of care for corporate executives.
Represented health care provider in dispute with insurance carriers over reimbursement for services. Successfully argued before the Joint Panel on Multidistrict Litigation on petitions to create MDLs.

Class Actions

Successfully represented a South Carolina municipality against class claims arising from the enforcement of local ordinances and obtained denial of class certification and a grant of summary judgment on all claims.
Represented timeshare resort developers in numerous class action suits over sales practices and liability for failed timeshare development. Successfully defeated class certification based upon lack of commonality.
Defeated class certification of a putative class of frustrated purchasers of memberships in a resort club.
Successfully represented an electric cooperative in a proposed bilateral class action litigation involving allegations of minority shareholder oppression brought by former members seeking to recoup over $100 million in capital contributions.
Successfully defended a class action professional liability claim against a law firm arising from a rogue lawyer’s involvement in a $300 million Ponzi scheme.

Maritime Law

Successfully represented jet ski and powerboat rental businesses in actions in limitation arising from serious personal injuries suffered by customers on navigable waterways.
Represented holder of a purchase money ship mortgage in a contested vessel arrest and foreclosure matter.
Defended the owner of an historic vessel against maritime liens and prosecuted counterclaims for negligent salvage.
Defended a vessel manufacturer in a products liability claim arising from an unexplained sinking of a vessel.

E-Discovery

Served as national coordinating e-discovery counsel for a leading medical device manufacturer in cases ranging from government investigations to products liability actions.
Led a team of professionals in preservation, review and production of data using predictive coding and artificial intelligence to successfully cull more than 3 million discreet documents to approximately 150,000 files for review.

Products Liability

Represented manufacturer of pain pump devices in multiple lawsuits by individuals who sustained injuries following shoulder surgery alleged related to prescription and administration of pain medications in the shoulder joint.
Defended medical device manufacturers in a variety of products liability cases arising from the failure of devices and complications arising from surgical procedures.

Professional Liability

Defended law firms and lawyers to jury verdict in legal malpractice actions.
Defended hospitals, health care facilities, and clinics in medical malpractice and wrongful death claims.
Regularly defends insurance brokers and agents in cases involving alleged negligent failure to procure appropriate insurance.

Tulane Law School, J.D., 1998
University of South Carolina, Ph.D.in History, 1993
University of Alabama, M.A. in History, 1989
Spring Hill College, B.A., 1987

Alabama State Bar, 1998
South Carolina Bar, 1999
U.S. District Court, Southern District of Alabama, 1999
U.S. District Court, District of South Carolina, 1999
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Judicial Circuit, 2000
U.S. District Court, Northern District of Alabama, 2003
U.S. District Court, Middle District of Alabama, 2003

Professional or Industry Involvement

Federation of Defense & Corporate Counsel (FDCC), State Representative, 2022-2023
Professional Liability Attorney Network, Board Member, 2022-2023
DRI-The Voice of the Defense Bar – Vice - Chair Business Torts SLG 2009
American Bar Association – Lawyers Professional Liability Section
South Carolina Defense Trial Attorneys
Charleston County Bar Association
National Diocesan Attorneys Association

Community or Pro Bono Involvement

Board of Directors, Mediation and Meeting Center of Charleston providing no-cost and low cost mediation to needy individuals in Charleston.
Rotary Club of Charleston, 2006 – present
Boy Scouts of America, Committee Chair Troop 59 2009 - 2018

Best Lawyers in America, Commercial Litigation, 2018- 2024
SC Super Lawyers Constitutional Law, 2024
South Carolina Super Lawyers, Personal Injury Defense, Products, 2013-2023
Benchmark Local Litigation Star, Product and Professional Liability, 2015-2021
Federation of Defense & Corporate Counsel, elected 2017
Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Rating AV

Presentations & Speaking Engagements

Civil Litigation Ethics: From Depositions to Trial and Beyond
Technology to Transform Your Practice and Allow You to Work Smarter, Not Harder. Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel – Fed Tech U. 2024.
On Jury Selection – What should you look for? How to uncover bias and prejudice? How to get to the jury that is most favorable to your client? How can you ferret out and disqualify the jurors that are most likely to be against your client and in favor of the plaintiff? Professional Liability Attorney Network – 2023.
Hear from The Seasoned Claims Pros – what claims handlers and defense attorneys need to know to stand out in the crowd – Professional Liability Attorney Network – 2023.
Slaying the Dragon: Getting the “wow” factor for your presentations in the boardroom, the courtroom, and the mediation room without litigation consultants, an army of lawyers and paralegals, or complete dependence on wired networks. Professional Liability Attorney Network – 2022.
Cutting Edge iPad Applications for Lawyers – The Best and Brightest New Tech to Enhance Your Practice Management and to Make Your Visual Presentations Resonate. Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel – Fed Tech U. 2022.
Constitutional Religious Liberties and Employment Law. Recent Developments in the Law Affecting Religious Employers and Employees - Professional Liability Attorney Network – 2021.
Maintaining Attorney-Client Privilege in Internal Investigations - Professional Liability Attorney Network – 2019.

Presentations & Speaking Engagements

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