David M. Duke

Background

David Duke received his undergraduate degree from The College of William and Mary in 1981 and joined Young Moore & Henderson, P.A. in 1984 after graduating from Wake Forest University School of Law. With more than 25 years of trial and litigation experience, David focuses his practice on complex civil litigation, with special emphasis on the defense and representation of clients in trucking and transportation, product liability and business litigation. David represents national clients across North Carolina. He has successfully tried cases throughout the North Carolina state and federal courts. He has argued cases successfully before the North Carolina Court of Appeals, the Supreme Court of North Carolina and the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals.

At Young Moore and Henderson, David is a member of the practice management committee and chair of the trucking and transportation practice group. He is an active member of ALFA International, having served as an officer and member of its board of directors. David is a past vice-chair and chair of ALFA’s transportation practice group. David is an active member of legal associations including the Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel, Transportation Lawyers Association, American Trucking Association, Defense Research Institute, the Propane Gas Defense Association, the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) and Litigation Counsel of America™. David holds an AV Peer Review Rating from Martindale-Hubbell.

Practice Areas

• Trucking and Transportation
• Product Liability
• Business Litigation
• Insurance Coverage Analysis and Litigation/Bad Faith Litigation
• Insurance Defense
• Retail and Premises Liability

Education & Bar Admissions

• J.D., Wake Forest University School of Law, 1984
• B.A., The College of William and Mary, 1981

Admitted in

• North Carolina, 1984
• U.S. District Courts for North Carolina
• U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit

Awards & Achievements

• Member, American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA)
• Fellow, Litigation Counsel of America™
• Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel
• Listed in North Carolina Super Lawyers™, 2006–2010
• Member, ALFA International Board of Directors, 1998-2002
• Chair, ALFA International Transportation Practice Group, 2002
• Board of Directors, Triangle Pastoral Counseling, Inc., 2004-2006

Publications & Presentations

• “Legislative Change Allows Expert Testimony Regarding Vehicle Speed,” with Shannon Frankel, 16 The Defender, No. 1, 33-34, Summer 2007
• Contributing Author, “Can You Protect the Investigation?” with Matthew J. Gray, Truck Accident Litigation (2nd ed., 2006)
• “Managing Your U.S. Exposure,” Ontario Trucking Association, November 15, 2002
• Course Planner and Program Chair, ALFA International Transportation Practice Group Seminar, “Honk If You’re Asleep”, New Orleans (2000)

Milestones

• Successfully defended Canadian-based trucking company in a wrongful death action in North Carolina Federal Court prosecuted by a nationally recognized attorney. Claim involved the death of an eighteen-year-old child survived by both parents. Following dismissal of the punitive damage claim on summary judgment, case was tried to verdict based on admitted liability. Ultimate verdict was within the range suggested to jury and less than five percent of the amount requested by plaintiff in closing argument.
• Recently obtained summary judgment in favor of tire manufacturer based on application of North Carolina statute of repose where plaintiff’s demand exceeded $53 million.
• Obtained settlement exceeding $1 million in business litigation arising from cancellation of exclusive refurbishing agreement with national propane marketer.
• Represented national motor carrier involved in interstate motor vehicle accident where plaintiff alleged injuries and damages exceeding $2 million. Verdict rendered in the amount of $60,000 based on admitted liability.
• Obtained summary judgment in favor of golf car servicer based on lack of duty to repair gasoline powered utility vehicle. Plaintiff’s injuries involved substantial burns.

Disclaimer: The above information may not necessarily reflect the attorney’s entire record, and the outcome of any particular future matter cannot be predicated on the attorney’s or law firm’s past results.