Christopher S. "Chris" Duke

Christopher S. "Chris" Duke


Akerman LLP

Recognized since 2014

West Palm Beach, Florida

Practice Areas

Employment Law - Management

Litigation - Labor and Employment

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Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2021 - Litigation - Labor and Employment Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2016 - Litigation - Labor and Employment
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Christopher Duke serves as managing partner of Akerman’s Palm Beach County Offices. With a diverse practice in employment law and complex commercial litigation, Chris represents clients in federal and state courts, as well as in various arbitration forums and before federal, state, and local administrative bodies. His clients operate across multiple sectors, including hospitality, travel/recreation, healthcare, retail, financial services, and alternative energy.

Chris routinely represents management and municipalities in matters relating to the ADA, ADEA, FMLA, FLSA, and Title VII, and prosecutes and defends both jury and bench trials. Chris also represents clients in fraud, tortious interference, business defamation, and breach of contract, and is seasoned in the enforcement and interpretation of noncompetition agreements and the protection of trade secrets.

Chris maintains a robust thought leadership profile, frequently conducting lectures to employer and trade groups on aspects of employment law and compliance. He has been continually ranked for his labor and employment acumen by The Best Lawyers in America, among other publications.

Location
  • West Tower, Suite 1100
    777 South Flager Drive
    West Palm Beach, FL 33401
Education
  • University of Florida, J.D., graduated 1991
  • Davidson College, BA, graduated 1988
Bar Admissions
  • Florida, The Florida Bar
Affiliations
  • AFRICARE - Member
  • Friend of MacArthur Beach State Park - Member
  • Human Resource Association of Palm Beach County - Member
  • Palm Beach County Bar Association - Member
  • Society for Human Resource Management - Member
  • St. Baldrick's Foundation - Active Supporter and Fundraiser
  • The Florida Bar - Litigation Section, Member; Employment Law Section, Member
  • Young Friends of the Kravis Center - Member
  • Young Friends of the Palm Beach Zoo - Member

Akerman LLP
West Palm Beach, Florida

226 The Best Lawyers in America® awards

119 Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America awards

Best Law Firms Badge Visit Website View Firm Profile

Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2021 - Litigation - Labor and Employment Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2016 - Litigation - Labor and Employment
Named "Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers® for:
  • Litigation - Labor and Employment, West Palm Beach (2021)
  • Litigation - Labor and Employment, West Palm Beach (2016)
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2025 for work in:
  • Employment Law - Management
  • Litigation - Labor and Employment
Special Focus:
  • COVID-19
Awards:
  • Florida Trend's Legal Elite 2006, 2010-2011, Listed for Labor & Employment
  • South Florida Legal Guide 2007-2009, Listed as one of South Florida's "Top Up and Comers"
  • South Florida Legal Guide Top Lawyer 2010-2015, Listed for Labor and Employment, Complex Commercial Litigation, and Corporate and Business Litigation
  • Super Lawyers Magazine 2012-2016, Listed in Florida for Employment & Labor and Business Litigation

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Publications

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