Donald H. Tucker, Jr.

Don Tucker is a trial lawyer with 35 years of complex commercial litigation experience, including significant experience in mergers and acquisition-related litigation, multi-party cases, class actions, claims under the federal securities laws, shareholder and partnership disputes and contract disputes of many types. In Chambers USA, clients say Don “gets to the heart of complex issues quickly," is "a really thoughtful and persuasive courtroom lawyer," and he "… strategically navigates clients toward the best outcome." Don has represented a wide variety of corporations, including large public utilities, pharmaceutical and other life sciences companies; contract research organizations; financial institutions and insurance companies; issuers of securities; corporate trustees; directors and officers; professional advisors; agricultural cooperatives; and buyers and sellers of both businesses and of goods and services. Don appears frequently in the North Carolina Business Court where many of the above types of cases are litigated.

Recognition

• Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business, Litigation: General Commercial (2016-2018, 2021-2024)
• The Best Lawyers in America®
  • Bet-the-Company Litigation (2006-2025)
  • Commercial Litigation (2006-2025)
  • Litigation - Mergers and Acquisitions (2006-2025)
  • Litigation - Securities (2006-2025)
  • Best Lawyers® 2021 Litigation - Securities "Lawyer of the Year" in Raleigh
• Benchmark Litigation, North Carolina Litigation Star (2010-2025)
• North Carolina Super Lawyers (2006-2019)
• Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent Rated

Education

• University of North Carolina, J.D., 1984
• Duke University, B.A., magna cum laude, 1981

Bar & Court Admissions

• Past Member, Chief Justice's Commission on the Future of the North Carolina Business Court
• Wake County Bar Association
• Member, Chris Episcopal Church
• Step-Up Ministries, Former Co-Partner
• Former Board Member, Artspace
• Former Board Member, Duke Children’s Hospital National Board of Advisors
• Former Board Member, Duke Medical Center Board of Visitors
• Former Board Member, Teach for America, Eastern North Carolina Regional Advisory Board
• Former Board Member, Triangle Family Services

The following are a few of the recent matters that Don has handled for the firm:

• Represented one of the nation’s largest public utilities in complex contract litigation involving a long-term supply contract. Obtained a favorable judgment on an important remedies provision of the agreement after a bench trial before the North Carolina Business Court.
• Represented a large US tobacco manufacturer in shareholder appraisal litigation arising out of a multi-billion merger with the company’s largest shareholder. Served as North Carolina trial counsel in a two-week trial before the North Carolina Business Court to determine the “fair value” of the dissenting shareholders’ shares.
• Represented a large national convenience store operator in environmental and contract litigation arising out of the sale of a gas station. Obtained a favorable judgment after a two-week jury trial in NC state court.
• Represented a life sciences company in connection with disputes arising under various technology licensing agreements.
• Defended independent directors of a Delaware corporation headquartered in Raleigh against challenges to an "exclusive forum" bylaw requiring certain shareholder suits to be brought only in North Carolina. In a precedent-setting opinion that has garnered National attention, the Delaware Court of Chancery ruled in favor of the directors and upheld the bylaw. 
• Represented a U.S. pharmaceutical company in post-merger indemnity claim for breach of seller's representations and warranties.
• Defended a public utility company and its directors, as co-counsel, in multiple putative shareholder class actions brought in the North Carolina Business Court challenging multi-billion-dollar merger transaction.
• Defended a public pharmaceutical company and its directors, as co-counsel, in putative shareholder class action filed to enjoin client's merger with another global pharmaceutical company. The defense team successfully defeated plaintiff's motion for preliminary injunction prior to the shareholder vote approving the merger.
• Defended a public company client in a putative shareholder derivative action filed in the federal court for the Eastern District of North Carolina. The lawsuit alleged that the company and its directors breached their fiduciary duties in connection with the “say on pay” provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act.  All claims were dismissed with prejudice.
• Represented a global pharmaceutical services company in connection with claims arising out of the termination of a drug co-promotion agreement.
• Advised an international health care group in an agreement to acquire worldwide patent rights and related intellectual property for two cardiovascular drugs from a world leader in biopharmaceutical business.
• Defended a client against claims for breach of an alleged long-term requirements contract brought by a cooperative of independent soft drink bottlers. The case was resolved by confidential settlement after a week-long trial in federal court for the District of South Carolina.
• Defended a leading technology company client as co-counsel in 19 securities fraud class actions consolidated in federal court for the Middle District of North Carolina. The Fourth Circuit affirmed the dismissal of the case, establishing important precedent on the issue of loss causation in securities fraud cases.
• Represented a global pharmaceutical services company in arbitration involving dispute over post-closing price adjustment in the sale of a business division.  Obtained significant award in favor of our client after trial before arbitrator.
• Represented a seller of regional supply company in a multi-million-dollar claim against the purchaser of the company for significant post-closing compensation and benefits owed to the seller’s chief executive officer under the terms of the parties’ purchase agreement. Seller agreed to pay full amount of client’s claim prior to the filing of litigation.
• Advised a global solid state LED lighting and semiconductor manufacturing company in connection with the risk aspects of its announced agreement for its $850 million sale of assets to a publicly traded German semiconductor company. The transaction was terminated before completion due to regulatory considerations.
• Don also counsels clients to identify, evaluate, avoid, and manage risk in a variety of corporate and commercial contexts.