Although he has a broad range of commercial and construction litigation experience, Duane's passion is representing clients in the state and federal appellate courts. He regularly appears in all of Florida's appellate courts, including the Florida Supreme Court. He also partners with trial lawyers outside the firm for appellate representation or for technical assistance with appeals. For more than 25 years, Duane has represented surety insurance companies in connection with payment, performance, and fiduciary bond disputes.
Duane has been actively involved in every aspect of the appellate community, including service in the following roles:
- Member of the Executive Council and a former Chair of the Appellate Practice Section of The Florida Bar, a 1,700-member organization of lawyers and judges devoted to promoting excellence in appellate practice
- Past chair of the Florida Bar Appellate Practice Certification Standing Committee, and past and current member of the Appellate Court Rules Committee (2012-2018, 2024-present)
- Host of the legal podcast “Issues on Appeal,” which focuses on issues relating to appellate practice through interviews with members of Florida's appellate community
- Former editorial board member of the Fidelity and Surety Digest published by the American Bar Association
- Regular presenter at surety conferences around the country
- Adjunct professor at St. Petersburg College, teaching legal classes continuously since 1999
When not practicing law, Duane enjoys teaching and giving back to his community. He is also a volunteer arbitrator for the Florida Bar assisting clients in attorney fee disputes with their lawyers. Duane has been married to his high school sweetheart for over 30 years and is the proud father of two daughters.
Education
J.D., with high honors, Order of the Coif, Editor-in-Chief, Florida Law Review, University of Florida, 1994
B.A., with high honors, University of Florida, 1991
Professional Associations
- The Florida Bar, Appellate Court Rules Committee, Member, 2024-present
- The Florida Bar, Appellate Practice Certification Standing Committee: Member, 2018-2024; Chair, 2022-2023
- The Florida Bar, Appellate Practice Section: Executive Council, 2018-present; Immediate Past Chair, 2017-2018; Chair, 2016-2017; Chair Elect, 2015-2016; Vice Chair, 2014-2015; Secretary/Treasurer, 2013-2014; Executive Council, 2012-2013; CLE Coordinator, 2011-2013
- The Florida Bar, Appellate Rules Committee: Vice-Chair of Internal Operations Committee, 2017-2018; IP Chair and Parliamentarian, 2014-2015; Member, 2012-2018
- The Florida Bar, Fee Arbitration Program: Arbitrator, 2005-present
- The Florida Bar, Grievance Committee (13th Circuit): Chair, 2006; Investigating Member, 2003-2005
- Hillsborough County Bar Association, Chair, Appellate Practice Section, 2008-2010
- Editor, American Bar Association Fidelity & Surety Digest, 2010-2013
- American Bar Association: Member, Torts and Insurance Practice Section, 2000-present
- TIPS Fidelity and Surety Law Committee: Member, 2000-present
Honors
- Board Certified Appellate Specialist, 2007-present
- AV® Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell
- Best Lawyers in America, Appellate Practice, 2020 – 2025
- Florida Super Lawyer by Super Lawyers magazine, 2017 – 2024
- Florida Legal Elite by Florida Trend magazine, 2020, 2021
- Florida Rising Star by Super Lawyers magazine, 2009
Representative Matters
- Represented an individual in connection with a dispute over the validity of service of process at both the Florida Second District Court of Appeal and the Florida Supreme Court, with a result favoring the client and creating new law in Florida on this issue
- Represented a private government contractor defending a Federal False Claims Act charge in the federal district court, the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals, and the United States Supreme Court
- Represented a top-tier surety company in a performance bond default on a high-rise condominium building with over $100 million dollars of potential exposure
- Represented a top-tier surety company in a performance bond default on a $20 million dollar golf course development project
- Represented a class of displaced workers in a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (WARN) Act class-action against a military defense contractor and obtained a successful result after a non-jury trial in federal district court