DUVOL M. THOMPSON is a litigation attorney in Holland & Knight's New York office  and a member of the firm's Litigation and Dispute Resolution practice. Mr. Thompson's  experience includes defending complex litigation claims in state and federal courts  covering subjects such as commercial contracts, business torts, financial services and  putative class actions. Mr. Thompson also is experienced in insurance and reinsurance  litigation, as well as coverage disputes.

Mr. Thompson has experience with all facets of litigation, from pretrial discovery,  including witness preparation and interviews, to taking and defending depositions,  motion practice, and trial and appeals. He has successfully tried matters as lead trial  45 BLACK ENTERTAINMENT & SPORTS LAWYERS ASSOCIATION counsel and defended them on appeal thereafter, first-chaired mediations and negotiated settlements for corporate clients.  Mr. Thompson has also served as counsel for several firm clients in defense of class action lawsuits, ranging from claims  brought under various state consumer protection statutes to wage and hour claims. Most recently, Mr. Thompson resolved  class-action wage and hour claims arising under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern  District of New York.

Mr. Thompson's representations include the defense of a multinational energy company in an environmental litigation  and insurance matter, where the claims involved historical environmental contamination of groundwater and soils. During  the multiyear representation, Mr. Thompson managed all aspects of discovery, including case strategy, motion practice,  depositions, document productions and management, and retention of vendors and expert witnesses. The nature of the  claims also required successfully obtaining discovery from state and federal agencies. Mr. Thompson has also expanded his  practice to include real estate, including advising clients seeking foreclosures as well as litigation. His practice also includes  preparing film and television production agreements and similar media projects. In addition, Mr. Thompson was a member of  the New York City Bar Association's Judiciary Committee, for which he evaluated judicial candidates for election, re-election,  appointment and reappointment to judicial office. Mr. Thompson was recently named a 2019 Fellow of the Leadership Council  on Legal Diversity (LCLD). LCLD is a program created to identify high potential attorneys from diverse backgrounds and offer  training to help advance the next generation of leaders in the legal profession. Prior to attending law school, Mr. Thompson  was a two-time All-Ivy League and All-American cornerback at the University of Pennsylvania. He also played professionally  in the National Football League (NFL). ♦