Walter Dukes is President, founding member and Senior share-holder of Dukes, Dukes, Keating & Faneca, P.A., located in Gulfport, Mississippi.  He received a B.A. from the University of Southern Mississippi, and Juris Doctorate from The Jackson School of Law at Mississippi College.

Walter brings first-chair practice in all aspects of jury and bench litigation, appellate practice, and mediation.  His thirty-nine years of experience in the courtroom has led to him handling complex cases in the field of product liability; where he has tried cases and participated in trials to verdict in West Virginia and Texas, as well as in Mississippi.  Mr. Dukes also has an extensive practice in the areas of premises liability, premises security, trucking/transportation law, and construction and complex litigation.

Active in various defense and insurance organizations, Walter holds membership in the DRI and the Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel (FDCC), which is composed of leaders in legal communities worldwide and in which he has served on the Board of Directors and spoken on many complex issues.  Membership in the FDCC is held exclusively for those who have been judged by their peers who have achieved professional distinction.  Walter is honored to be a Fellow of The Mississippi Bar Foundation, and he is a member of the Association of Defense Trial Attorneys.

Walter’s practice areas include a broad general insurance defense practice, although he specializes  in the defense of catastrophic claims involving wrongful death, burns and paralysis. He also works closely with the medical profession in connection with his defense of medical negligence claims on behalf of hospitals, nursing homes and assisted living facilities.   Walter also defends police officers and municipalities. Community and civic involvement are very important in Walter’s life.

Walter is married to the former Carolyn Elaine Wiggs of Butler, Alabama; and they have two children, and six grandchildren. Walter and his family are members of Westminster Presbyterian Church, where Walter serves as an Elder.

Year Joined Firm

• 1983

Litigation Percentage

• 100% of Practice Devoted to Litigation

Representative Clients

• Zurich North America, Panel Counsel
• CNA, Panel Counsel
• ACE
• Western World Insurance Co., Panel Counsel
• MBIS
• Housing Authority Insurance Group (HAI)
• Gallagher Bassett Services
• State Auto Insurance Co.
• Berkley Southeast Insurance Co.

References

• Business References Available Upon Request

Classes/Seminars

• Ethics in Mass Tort Litigation, FDCC, 2008

Honors and Awards

• Martindale-Hubbell, “AV” Rated
• Mid-South Super Lawyers, 2011-2020
• FDCC Joseph R. Olshan Award
• Best Lawyers in America
• Top Attorneys in Mississippi
• Former USM Foundation Board of Directors
• Mississippi Defense Lawyers Association

Past Employment Positions

• Dukes, Carruba and Dukes, Partner, 1980 – 1983
• Daniel, Coker, Horton, Bell and Dukes, Attorney, 1978 – 1980

Pro Bono Activities

• Serve as Counsel For Police Athletic League of Gulfport Which Provides Assistance and Support To At-Risk Children and Teenagers.