Christopher S. Duke

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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.

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Five New States Approve Marijuana Use, Leaving Employers Dazed and Confused

By Brittany Buccellato and Christopher S. Duke on Posted in Employee Handbooks & Policies, Employment Counseling & Workplace Claims Prevention
Voters around the country recently approved a number of ballot initiatives legalizing the use of marijuana for recreational and/or medical purposes, further complicating the patchwork of existing marijuana laws found throughout the country. The confusion is compounded by the fact that marijuana remains classified as a Schedule I drug under the federal Controlled Substances Act, … Continue Reading

Non-Compete and Trade Secret Provisions: Protecting Your Company and Assets

By Christopher S. Duke and Arlene K. Kline on Posted in Non-Compete & Trade Secret Litigation
Now more than ever, employers must take active steps to protect their confidential information and trade secrets from the prying eyes of competitors. In our digital age, trade secrets can be misappropriated in an instant, and without the proper agreements in place, any business can be vulnerable. Recent major court cases involving companies such as … Continue Reading

Marijuana Use For Alleged Depression and Anxiety Can Still Get You Fired In Florida

By Christopher S. Duke on Posted in Employment Discrimination Harassment & Retaliation
There can be no doubt that Americans’ views on the legality of marijuana use for both medicinal and recreational purposes has shifted over the past few years. A recent survey conducted by Fextel, Inc. and StPetePolls.org found that over 73% of Floridians would support a constitutional amendment to allow the use of medical marijuana to … Continue Reading

The Art of Employee Termination and Severance Agreements

By Christopher S. Duke on Posted in Employment Counseling & Workplace Claims Prevention
The process of employee termination is fraught with pitfalls for the unwary employer.  Not only can emotions run high during this time, but failure to comply with all applicable state and federal laws can lead to legal liability for your company.  One wrong step in this process, even if it is unintentional and made with … Continue Reading

Will You Be Ready When The Whistle Is Blown?

By Christopher S. Duke on Posted in Whistleblower & Retaliation Claims
Claims by employees “blowing the whistle” on their employer are on the rise in today’s workplace.  Will you be ready when the whistle is blown on your company?  Better yet, can you prevent whistleblower claims from being raised in the first place? Various provisions of state and federal law prohibit retaliation against employees who “blow … Continue Reading

Think Your Company’s Confidential Information is Safe? Think Again!

By Christopher S. Duke on Posted in Employment & Consulting Contracts
Password encrypted computers, locked file drawers, swipe cards allowing for restricted access. These are all measures taken by businesses to protect their confidential business information and trade secrets. While these steps are important, they are only part of the solution in protecting your company’s valuable business information.  More and more employers today are using restrictive … Continue Reading

Akerman Labor & Employment Breakfast Seminar Provides Guidance on Conducting Workplace Investigations

By Christopher S. Duke on Posted in Employment Investigations & Audits
Today’s employers are often called upon to conduct internal investigations into claims of workplace misconduct. When performed correctly, a proper workplace investigation can effectively shield an employer from liability in the face of many types of employment related claims. However, a poorly performed or ineffective workplace investigation can not only fail to protect the company … Continue Reading
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