Wm. David Duke

Attorney Bio

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

Biography: 
Mr. Duke joined Gill Ragon Owen, P.A. as a shareholder on January 2, 2015. Over the past 35 years, he has 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 is varied, and ranges 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 has, on a regular basis, represented the interest of investors, lenders, and secured creditors to realize upon collateral for payment of secured indebtedness. Mr. Duke has 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 has given Mr. Duke a unique perspective not commonly available in today’s legal environment and culture. Mr. Duke is a member of Arkansas Bar Association, Pulaski County Bar Association, Arkansas Trial Lawyers Association, and the Debtor-Creditor Bar Association of Central Arkansas. He is admitted to practice 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 has been selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© for 2022.

Practice Areas: 
Corporate and Commercial Transactional Matters
Commercial Litigation
Real Estate and Title Issues
Perfection and Priority Issues under UCC Article 9
Creditors’ Rights and Bankruptcy
Creditor Work Outs/Restructuring
Personal Injury Litigation
ERISA Matters, including Disability Claims