DW Duke has built a distinguished legal career over nearly four decades. During this time, he has earned a reputation as a formidable trial attorney specializing in professional liability, business litigation and human rights. However, his true passion extends beyond the courtroom. As an accomplished author and filmmaker, he uses storytelling to drive social change.
A Calling Beyond the Courtroom
At the Law Office of DW Duke in Southern California, Duke is a relentless advocate for his clients. However, his choice to pursue a legal career wasn’t a clear-cut decision. Torn between law and medicine, his desire to make a meaningful impact on society and public policy led him into the legal field.
As his career progressed, Duke, who holds a Juris Doctor from Washington University in St. Louis School of Law, saw another opportunity to influence society through literature. He believes empathy is key to resolving human conflict, which has motivated him to write books on the subject. His works include “In Search of the Golden Chalice: The Untold Story,” “Because I’m Black: The Story of Jesse Washington,” and “Not Without a Fight: The Story of a Polish Jew’s Resistance.”
Duke’s most recent project, “Because I’m Black,” tells the disturbing true story of Jesse Washington, a 17-year-old lynched in Waco, Texas, in 1916. His meticulous research led him to believe Washington was wrongly convicted. This forgotten story is one of many he hopes to share.
“Golden Chalice,” on the other hand, is a novel that explores the power of empathy. The adventurous tale follows a Nigerian tribe searching for King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba’s wedding chalice. Pursuing this sacred artifact requires the tribe to understand others, and as a result, they become like ancient prophets.
Law, Film, and the Power of Media
Although he’s still active in the legal profession, Duke continues to expand his creative footprint. As chief executive officer of Duke Entertainment Group LLC, he’s working on adapting some of his books into feature films and documentaries. One such project is “Generation to Generation.” This documentary preserves the stories of Holocaust survivors and their descendants.
Duke’s ability to blend law, storytelling, and advocacy makes his work uniquely impactful. Film production allows him to reach a broader audience and translate legal and social issues into powerful narratives. However, the purpose of his creative works isn’t solely to entertain; the ultimate goal is to inspire change.
A Champion for Empathy
Beyond his literary and cinematic endeavors, Duke is a humanitarian. As president of the Institute for Children’s Aid, he helps refugee children find stability. Additionally, he serves as the director of legal affairs for 70 Nations Jerusalem, an organization that works toward developing a unity center in Jerusalem.
With his legal expertise, storytelling talent and commitment to human rights, Duke has become a champion for empathy. “All of the wars and conflicts are simply because human beings have forgotten empathy,” Duke says. If people asked, “How would I feel if I were that person?” he believes it would resolve those issues. He is eager to share this powerful message, whether in the courtroom, on the page or behind the camera.
