Walter W. Dukes
Shareholder . President . Director

Physical Offices:
2909 13^th Street
Sixth Floor
Gulfport Mississippi 39501

Mailing Address:
Post Office Drawer W
Gulfport, Mississippi 39502

Telephone:228-868-1111, ext. 239
Facsimile: 228-863-2886
Email: walter@ddkf.com

Walter W. Dukes was born in Jackson, Mississippi on June 29, 1953. He was educated in the Gulfport, Mississippi public school system, graduating Gulfport East High School in 1971.

Walter is active in various defense and insurance organizations, and he is honored to hold membership in the Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel, which is composed of leaders in the legal community. Membership in the FDCC is held exclusively for those who have been judged by their peers to have achieved professional distinction.

In addition to his trial work, Walter lectures on various topics related to the practice of law. His lectures extend beyond seminar presentations to his peers and include regular presentations and/or summarizations on various topics of law to his diverse clientele.

Community and civic involvement are also an important part of Walter's life. His services have included: Board of Directors for the University of Southern Mississippi Foundation ('95-'98); Ethics Committee member of the Mississippi State Bar Association; member of the Gulfport Century Club, and former coach for the Dixie Youth Baseball League.

Walter is married to the former Elaine Wiggs, and they have two children, Jessica and Bill. Walter and his family are members of Westminster Presbyterian Church, where Walter serves as an Elder.

Education:

University of Southern Mississippi, 1975
- Bachelor of Arts Degree

 Mississippi College School of Law, 1978
- Graduated cum laude
- Doctor of Jurisprudence Degree

Court Affiliations:

All Mississippi local, state and federal courts
All Mississippi administrative bodies
United States District Court for the Northern and Southern Districts of Mississippi
United States Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals

Practice Areas:

Insurance Defense Claims, including:

Environmental Law
Asbestos/Silica Defense
Automobile Liability
Commercial Trucking
Municipal Liability
Nursing Home Litigation
Personal Torts
Products Liability
Premises Liability
Maritime/Jones Act

Walter also represents a number of school districts throughout the State of Mississippi; the Mississippi Department of Transportation; and he is a member of the Mississippi Tort Claims Board Approved Attorney Register.

Professional Affiliations

Mississippi Bar Association
Harrison County Bar Association
American Bar Association
Federal Bar Association
Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel
- Tort and Environmental Law Section
- Premises Section
- Transportation Section
Defense Research Institute
Mississippi Defense Lawyers Association

Walter earned the coveted "AV" rating from Martindale-Hubbell, reserved for those attorneys recognized by their peers and judges as having "preeminent" legal ability and "very high" ethics.

P.O. Drawer W, Gulfport, MS 39502
Telephone. 1-228-868-1111 Fax. 1-228-863-2886
www.ddkf.com