Wm. David Duke (Retired)

Attorney Bio

Education: 
University of Central Arkansas (B.S., 1976);
University of Arkansas (J.D., 1979) 

Biography: 
Mr. Duke retired as a shareholder with the firm in December of 2022. Over 35 years, he developed a balanced practice by providing counsel to individuals and business organizations while also undertaking litigation matters for a number of clients in various forums. Mr. Duke’s experience ranged from contract negotiation and drafting, negotiating and documenting commercial loans and acquisitions, to coordinating real estate matters for commercial and residential clients, including defense and prosecution of title insurance claims. Mr. Duke represented the interest of investors, lenders, and secured creditors to realize upon collateral for payment of secured indebtedness. Mr. Duke successfully litigated ERISA disability issues on behalf of corporate executives and physicians that were wrongly denied disability benefits and has also represented injured citizens in personal injury litigation. This blend of business representation and litigation experience gave Mr. Duke a unique perspective not commonly available in today’s legal environment and culture. Mr. Duke, a member of Arkansas Bar Association, Pulaski County Bar Association, Arkansas Trial Lawyers Association, and the Debtor-Creditor Bar Association of Central Arkansas, practiced before all Arkansas Courts, and all Federal Courts in Arkansas, including the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals. Mr. Duke is married to Sheffield Christian Duke, and they have two married daughters, Sheffield Duke Coulter and Riley Duke Connick.  Mr. Duke maintained the highest level of professional excellence with Martindale-Hubbell and was selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© for 2022.