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 trials, and mediation.  His more than forty years of experience in the courtroom has led to him handling the defenses of complex cases. He has tried cases throughout the state of Mississippi and tried cases to verdict in West Virginia and Texas.  Mr. Dukes also has an extensive practice in the areas of defense premises liability, premises security, trucking/transportation law, and construction 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.  Mr. Dukes 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.   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
• Western World Insurance Co., Panel Counsel
• Housing Authority Insurance Group (HAI)
• Gallagher Bassett Services
• Berkley Southeast Insurance Co.

References

• Business References Available Upon Request

Classes/Seminars

• Ethics in Mass Tort Litigation, FDCC, 2008
• Premises Security Litigation

Honors and Awards

• Martindale-Hubbell, “AV” Rated
• 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, Dukes, Keating & Faneca, P.A., 1980-Present
• 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.