Lucas Wohlford

Partner

  • Lucas Wohlford
  • Phone: +1 214 257 7214

    Import to Address Book

  • Duane Morris LLP
    100 Crescent Court, Suite 1200
    Dallas, TX 75201
    USA

Lucas (Luke) Wohlford is an experienced trial attorney who has spent his career representing individuals, family-owned businesses, and publicly and privately held companies in a wide range of complex disputes.  Mr. Wohlford focuses his practice on high-stakes litigation involving claims for breach of fiduciary duty, fraud, breach of contract, products liability, and violations of antitrust, RICO, and unfair competition statutes. 

In addition to his trial practice, Mr. Wohlford frequently handles post-trial proceedings and appeals in state and federal courts.  As a former law clerk for a federal appellate judge, Mr. Wohlford brings unique perspective and experience to his appellate work.  Mr. Wohlford has served as the principal author of numerous briefs in state and federal appellate courts, and he has argued significant matters before the United States Courts of Appeals for the Fifth and Ninth Circuits, as well as the Texas and Kansas courts of appeals. 

Outside the courtroom, Mr. Wohlford advises corporate clients on a variety of matters, including contract negotiation, risk avoidance and mitigation, and regulatory compliance and investigations.  He understands the significant costs and burdens of litigation, and works with his clients in developing strategies to avoid litigation whenever possible. 

Mr. Wohlford is a graduate of the University of Kansas School of Law, where he was note and comment editor of the Kansas Law Review and elected to the Order of the Coif.  He is also a graduate of the University of Kansas, where he was elected to Phi Beta Kappa.  Prior to entering private practice, Mr. Wohlford served as a law clerk to the Honorable Deanell Reece Tacha of the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit. 

Areas of Practice

  • Commercial Litigation

Admissions

  • Texas
  • Kansas
  • U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas
  • U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas
  • U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas
  • U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas
  • U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit

Education

  • University of Kansas School of Law, J.D., 2009
    - Note and Comment Editor, Kansas Law Review
    - Order of the Coif
  • University of Kansas, B.A., 2005
    - Phi Beta Kappa

Experience

  • Duane Morris LLP
    - Partner, 2021-present
  • Barnes & Thornburg LLP
    - Partner, 2018-2021
  • Crowe & Dunlevy PC
    - Director, 2017-2018
  • Gardere Wynne Sewell LLP
    - Partner, 2017
    - Associate, 2011-2012, 2015-2017
  • Morris, Laing, Evans, Brock & Kennedy Chtd.
    - Associate, 2012-2015
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit
    - Law Clerk to the Hon. Deanell Reece Tacha, 2009-2011

Professional Activities

  • State Bar of Texas
    - Former chair, Antitrust and Business Litigation Section

Honors and Awards

  • Listed in Texas Super Lawyers Rising Stars, 2017-2022

  • D Magazine, Best Lawyers in Dallas under 40, 2018

Selected Publications

  • Co-Author, “Now a Toothless Tiger: The Revised Kansas Restraint of Trade Act,” Kansas Association for Justice Journal, November 2013

Selected Speaking Engagements

  • Presenter, “Diving Deeper in COVID-19 Class Actions,” Barnes & Thornburg LLP Webinar, April 29, 2020

  • Presenter, “DOJ’s Updated Criteria and Incentives for an Effective Compliance Program and Antitrust Leniency Considerations,” H&R Block Corporate Headquarters, Kansas City, Missouri, November 21, 2019

  • Moderator, “Antitrust in the Amazon Era: The New Brandeis Movement, Consumer Welfare, and the Future of Antitrust Theory,” State Bar of Texas Annual Meeting, Austin, Texas, June 13, 2019

  • Presenter, “Artificial Intelligence and the Future of the Legal Market,” Association of Corporate Counsel Oklahoma Chapter, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, September 28, 2018

  • Presenter, “The First People’s Party Government on Earth: Kansas Populism in the 1890’s,” Free State Festival, Lawrence, Kansas, June 28, 2014

Representative Matters

  • Obtained judgment for actual damages, equitable disgorgement, punitive damages, permanent injunction, and attorneys’ fees in federal bench trial against the former CEO of a Texas-based pharmacy benefit manager who was found liable for breach of fiduciary duty, fraud, and breach of contract. Briefed and argued appeal in the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, which affirmed the district court’s judgment in its entirety.

  • Secured protective orders holding that major research university and university employee enjoy sovereign immunity from federal nonparty subpoena seeking discovery related to pending patent dispute.

  • Served as lead counsel for minority owner of hospital in lawsuit against majority owner for breach of fiduciary duty, self-dealing, and shareholder oppression. Obtained confidential settlement prior to trial.

  • Served as lead counsel for durable medical equipment company in JAMS arbitration initiated by client’s former supplier involving claims for breach of contract, fraud, unfair competition, and violations of state and federal antitrust laws. Obtained confidential settlement prior to final arbitration hearing after defeating supplier’s request for preliminary injunctive relief.

  • Represented public interest organization in Administrative Procedure Act challenge to decommissioning plan for San Onofre Nuclear Generation Station; briefed and argued appeal of Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s decision to permit implementation of decommissioning plan in the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.

  • Represented anesthesiologist in appeal before the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit involving claims against major hospital system for violation of federal antitrust laws.

  • Represented international distribution company in dispute over importation and sale of KN95 protective masks during COVID-19 pandemic. Obtained dissolution of temporary restraining order, which allowed client to collect on $10 million letter of credit provided by defaulting purchaser of masks.

  • Represented medical billing company in AAA arbitration involving claims for breach of fiduciary duty and fraud arising from termination of joint venture agreement.

  • Lead trial counsel in federal bench trial involving claims for breach of contract arising from the dissolution of multiple compound pharmacy companies.

  • Represented fiber optic network construction company in federal lawsuit involving claims for breach of non-compete covenants and violation of federal antitrust laws. Obtained confidential settlement prior to trial.

  • Represented individual in lawsuit against Dallas Cowboys arising from suite lease agreement at Cowboys Stadium. Obtained confidential settlement prior to trial.

  • Served on trial team representing privately-held oil and gas company in jury trial against two corporate directors involving directors’ usurpation of significant shale gas opportunity.

  • Served on trial team representing national business supply company in federal jury trial involving claims for breach of joint venture agreement and breach of fiduciary duty. Obtained post-trial order vacating jury’s punitive damages award, and briefed appeal of judgment to the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit.

  • Served on trial team representing Kansas-based bank in jury trial involving claims for breach of fiduciary duty, breach of trust, and negligence. Secured complete defense verdict for client.

  • Served on trial team representing family-owned real estate investment company in jury trial involving claims for breach of contract and breach of the duty of good faith and fair dealing.

  • Argued class-certification appeal before Kansas Court of Appeals in class action involving claims for violation of the Kansas Restraint of Trade Act. Obtained reversal of trial court’s order decertifying class.

  • Represented investment advisor in FINRA arbitration against investment advisory firm involving claims for breach of contract, fraud, and unfair competition.

  • Represented major research university system in multiple intellectual property and products liability litigation and counseling matters.