Atty. Christopher S. "Chris" Duke
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.
Profile Summary
About Christopher S. "Chris" Duke at a glance
Christopher S. "Chris" Duke is a employment and litigation attorney based in West Palm Beach, Florida, practicing at Akerman LLP. Admitted to practice in Florida, The Florida Bar. Educated at University of Florida (J.D., 1991) and Davidson College (BA, 1988). Recognitions include Best Lawyers in America — Employment Law - Management (2026), Best Lawyers in America — Litigation - Labor and Employment (2026), and Best Lawyers in America — Special Focus: (2026). Serands clients in West Palm Beach, FL and the surrounding metropolitan area.
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About
- 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
Practice Areas Explained
Christopher S. "Chris" Duke's Areas of Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Christopher S. "Chris" Duke handles, with a brief overview of what that area of law covers.
Employment lawyers represent workers in wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment, wage & hour disputes, and severance negotiations.
Christopher S. "Chris" Duke is one of 169,120 employment attorneys indexed nationally. Browse employment attorneys in Florida →
Civil litigation attorneys for breach of contract, business disputes, civil rights, and class action lawsuits.
Christopher S. "Chris" Duke is one of 454,532 litigation attorneys indexed nationally. Browse litigation attorneys in Florida →
Jurisdictional Context
Why local counsel matters in Florida
Practicing law in Florida. Legal matters in Florida are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in West Palm Beach are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate Florida state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in Florida brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this andnue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in Florida courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.
Looking for additional Florida attorneys? Browse all attorneys in West Palm Beach or all attorneys in Florida.
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