Judge Marvin H. Dukes, III: Professional Background and Legal Expertise

The Hon. Marvin H. Dukes, III is the master-in-equity of the Beaufort County Equity Court in South Carolina. He was appointed to the bench by former Governor Mark Sanford in 2007.

Dukes earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from Washington & Lee University in 1984. He then completed a J.D. at the University of South Carolina School of Law in 1987. He is licensed to practice in South Carolina (1987) and the United States District Court for the District of South Carolina (1987).

After graduating from law school, Dukes entered into private practice, working as a partner at Dowling, Sanders, Dukes, Williams & Svalina in Beaufort. He remained with the firm until it dissolved in 2000, at which time he opened his own private practice. As a sole practitioner, he maintained a general civil and domestic practice, which he supplemented with some criminal and contract work.

His memberships have included the Beaufort County Joint Planning Board and the Beaufort County Council.

Dukes was born and raised in Beaufort, South Carolina. He and his wife, Laura, have one child.