Duke Groover advocates for clients in a broad array of complex commercial disputes, business torts, and class actions. Representing public entities and private companies in a wide range of industries, including insurance, agriculture, and construction, Duke has served as lead counsel in numerous trials, arbitrations, appellate arguments and mediations. He has successfully prosecuted and defended cases for clients in a number of multi-million-dollar disputes. Finding it gratifying to take on the strategic and intellectual challenges inherent in complicated cases, Duke understands how to put the puzzle pieces together in ways that procure optimal outcomes for clients.

With a deep understanding of the laws regulating both the agricultural and insurance industries, Duke advises more than 150 farming organizations throughout Georgia and serves as general counsel for the Georgia Farm Bureau , which is the largest general agricultural organization as well as the largest domestic insurer in Georgia.

Duke also serves as counsel to a number of local governments. In his role as outside general counsel for these entities, Duke enjoys solving the array of issues that come his way, including matters involving employment, contracts, civil rights and land use.

Combining his wealth of knowledge and an ongoing desire to learn, Duke seldom encounters novel or unfamiliar problems. On the other hand, he firmly believes that self-awareness constitutes one of the most crucial attributes of a highly effective counselor, and he candidly tells clients when it’s wise to bring in a specialist in a particular area.

Years of practice have provided Duke with the ability to craft strategies that balance current and future business considerations within legal parameters. He maintains an outstanding work ethic, a habit of preparing thoroughly, and an ability to synthesize information quickly and transform it into understandable and useful advice. 

A registered mediator, Duke serves as a neutral party in dispute resolutions, including arbitrations. In these proceedings he employs a collegial but direct style.

Duke is consistently recognized by Georgia Super Lawyers magazine and various other publications for his professionalism and expertise. He is the recipient of a Martindale-Hubbell AV® Preeminent peer review rating, the highest attainable rating for this globally recognized organization.

After Hours

In addition to reading, working out and playing tennis, Duke enjoys spending as much time as possible with his adult children.

Related Services

Combining his wealth of knowledge and an ongoing desire to learn, Duke seldom encounters novel or unfamiliar problems.

A selection of Mr. Groover’s recent work includes:

  • Representing a commercial greenhouse operator in multiple actions against a number of landowners and successfully defended against nuisance claims for damages against the multi-million dollar greenhouse operation which involved issues of 1st impressions in Georgia
  • Representing a landowner in a negotiation of lease terms with solar development company. Advised on issues related to landowner’s use of property, potential liability, as well as crop and timber use and disposition
  • Representing a client to a defense judgment in an Age Discrimination in Employment Act (“ADEA”) case which went to the Court of Appeals and was the first case in Georgia to apply the Gross Standard for ADEA Liability
  • Representing a company purchasing a telecommunication network for breach of contract and breach of fiduciary duty wherein the company both retained the asset purchased as well as received a multi-million dollar settlement
  • Representing an insurance company in an issue of first impression in Georgia establishing lead as a pollutant. Claims based on lead poisoning were excluded from a liability policy based upon pollution exclusion
  • Representing an approved crop insurance provider regarding its denial of a claim for indemnity for cotton on break-out land wherein the third-party agent failed to get a written agreement
  • Served as an umpire in a multi-million dollar life re-insurance dispute involving allegations of fraud and the “most favored nation” clauses prevalent in re-insurance treaties

  • State Bar of Georgia
  • American Bar Association
  • Macon Bar Association
  • Georgia Defense Lawyers Association – Chair of Business Law Section
  • William Augustus Bootle Inn of Court – Master
  • Special Master for the Georgia Supreme Court
  • American Farm Bureau – Legal Information and Networking Committee
  • Defense Research Institute
  • American Agriculture Law Association

Education

  • University of Georgia School of Law (J.D., cum laude, 1992)
  • University of Georgia (MA, with honors, 1988)
  • University of Georgia (B.A., magna cum laude, 1987)

Admissions

Bar Admissions

  • Georgia, 1992

Court Admissions

  • Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
  • U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia
  • U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Georgia
  • U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Georgia
  • Supreme Court of Georgia
  • Court of Appeals of Georgia

  • Certified Civil Mediator