Von A. DuBose

Partner

About Von

Von DuBose is an experienced trial attorney with a specific focus on trying and arbitrating complex disputes in business, sports, entertainment and personal injury. Also a seasoned litigator, DuBose digs deep to understand his clients’ personal, professional and financial priorities and builds powerful case strategies around those insights. His meticulous trial preparation not only lays the foundation for courtroom success but also undergirds his muscular negotiation and settlement strategies. As a result, he has a remarkably successful jury trial record and remains undefeated in arbitration proceedings.

A former partner at Bondurant, Mixson & Elmore, a complex litigation boutique that has notched some of the largest trial victories in the nation, DuBose achieved unparalleled success as lead trial counsel in numerous high-profile civil trials and arbitrations.

Honors and awards

Georgia State Conference of the NAACP
Donald L. Hollowell Award, Recipient

Georgia Local Litigation Star
Benchmark Plaintiff 2012

DuBose also believes that success in the private sector comes with a corresponding obligation to commit money, resources and expertise to the pro bono community – to be, as prominent lawyer, educator and civil rights activist Charles Hamilton Houston once said, a “social engineer.” His community involvement and volunteerism roles have included:

• City of Atlanta Judicial Commission

• Emory University Board of Visitors, executive committee

• Georgia Justice Project, executive committee

• Grady High School Mock Trial Foundation, Board of Directors

• Solomon's Temple, Board of Directors

• Atlanta Bar Association

• National Bar Association

• Gate City Bar Association

• Georgia Conference of NAACP Legal Redress, committee chairman.

As lead trial counsel in high-profile, high-stakes civil suits, DuBose is more than a match for even the largest law firms and most complex arguments. With a passion for tackling cutting-edge cases, he consistently demonstrates an unflinching commitment to representing his clients’ best interests. Recent trial victories include:

•  Served as lead arbitration counsel to the plaintiff in a breach of contract and quantum meruit dispute in a case involving several billion dollars in asset-backed securities transactions. Defendants refused to pay the plaintiff for sourcing transactions on their behalf and made no offers or efforts to compromise prior to arbitration. After an extensive arbitration hearing, a three-arbitrator panel ruled in favor of the plaintiff and awarded a multi-million-dollar recovery.

•  Defended Def Jam Recordings artist and multi-platinum entertainer Jay Jenkins p/k/a Young Jeezy and his record label, CTE Music, in Fulton County Superior Court in a $15 million lawsuit brought by a former business associate involving allegations of breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, conversion and civil RICO Act violations. The court ordered a directed verdict in favor of CTE Music, and, after only three hours’ deliberation, the jury also found in favor of Mr. Jenkins.

•  http://www.lawjournalnewsletters.com/sites/lawjournalnew sletters/2015/11/30/jeezys-ex-partner-loses-trial-against- the-atlanta-rapper/?slreturn=20170917161745

•  Successfully protected the interests of artist manager and starmaker Kevin Wales, CEO of Worldwide Entertainment, when the platinum-selling music group 112 severed ties with Bad Boy Records.

• Lead arbitration counsel for an NFL agent in a dispute with the owner of his prior agency. Von’s knowledge of the NFL athlete agent industry allowed him to determine exactly how much his client was owed. After a four-year stretch, Von’s client had signed eleven (11) first round draft picks, and was primarily responsible for growing the agency from a regional boutique to a national powerhouse. The owner of the agency settled the dispute under threat of suit, but thereafter commenced an arbitration proceeding, asserting breach of the confidentiality provisions of the underlying settlement agreement. At arbitration, Von’s cross examination of the opposing agent revealed that he had improperly manipulated an affidavit that served as the basis of his claims. The arbitrator ruled in favor of Von’s client on all claims and awarded attorneys’ fees and costs.

•  Lead defense counsel for a sports facility development company in a suit led by an individual advancing claims of fraud and breach of contract against the company and its founding members in their individual capacities. Instead of employing the typical defense delay tactics, Von moved expeditiously to depose the plaintiff and lock him into his version of the events. At deposition, Von was able to expose the frivolous nature of the plaintiff’s claims, causing him to dismiss the case in its entirety shortly thereafter.

•  Lead counsel in defense of a Division 1 college football player against allegations by the NCAA that he received improper benefits while still a student athlete. Von’s client was initially the focus of the NCAA’s investigation. The NCAA’s investigator was very aggressive, at one point insisting that the player’s mother allow inspection of her personal phone records. Von countered each of the NCAA’s aggressive tactics until the NCAA shifted its focus to another alleged incident involving another player. Von’s client was not suspended by the school or the NCAA, was a high round NFL draft pick and started for his NFL team as a rookie.

•  Lead counsel for nationally acclaimed entertainer Bernard “Bun B” Freeman in opposing a multi-million dollar default judgment entered against him. Von entered the case five (5) years after the judgment was issued and petitioned the Georgia Supreme Court to have it overturned. After filing the petition, Von negotiated a settlement for less than five percent of face value of the judgment.

•  Successfully represented Kevin Wales, CEO of Worldwide Entertainment, in protecting his interests in platinum selling music group 112’s split from Bad Boy Records.

•  Counsel to the Panoz family on many business and sports- related endeavors, including: formation and launch of the business entities that would own, manage and promote the Delta Wing Race Project; formation of the Panoz LLC, successor to Panoz Auto Development Corporation and litigation counsel to JRD Tuning, LLC.

Professional Activities

City of Atlanta Judicial Commission

Emory Board of Visitors

Georgia Justice Project

Grady High School Mock Trial Foundation

Solomon’s Temple

Georgia Conference of NAACP

Legal Redress Committee

Atlanta Legal Diversity Consortium

Minority Trial Lawyer Newsletter

American Inns of Court

Atlanta Bar Association

National Bar Association

Gate City Bar Association

American Bar Association

Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.

Alabama Army National Guard

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DuBose Miller is highly experienced specializing in pre-trial practice and courtroom advocacy. Complete this online form to schedule a free consultation.