CHARLESTON, S.C., May 12, 2025 — South Carolina Lawyers Weekly has named Saxton & Stump shareholder Rene Stuhr Dukes to its annual “Influential Women of Law” list, which honors the state’s top women attorneys who are making a difference in their profession and their communities. Dukes, chair of the firm’s Family Law Group, has received multiple accolades for her professional achievements and has a long history of continuous and high-profile pro bono work to benefit her community.
“It’s a wonderful and humbling honor to be named to this illustrious list alongside these inspiring women leading our profession in our state,” Dukes said. “As attorneys, it’s important to remember that we can have a long-lasting and positive impact on our community through our actions and choices. The women on this list have taken that to heart. I want to thank South Carolina Lawyers Weekly for selecting me for this prestigious list.”
Dukes leads a successful family law practice, handling a wide variety of domestic issues including child custody, parental alienation, third-party custody, divorce, and more. Additionally, she is a member of the firm’s Education and Labor and Employment groups, where she conducts investigations regarding allegations of employee misconduct and provides counsel on employment policies and practices.
Dukes has staunchly championed pro bono work throughout her career, dedicating dozens of hours each year to working for societal causes she supports, including ending human trafficking. She also spent hundreds of hours working on a complex child custody hearing following the June 2015 mass shooting at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston that killed nine people. In 2019, Charleston County named Dukes the “Pro Bono Attorney of the Year.”
Dukes holds the highly regarded AV Preeminent rating with attorney recognition service Martindale Hubbell. South Carolina Lawyers Weekly included Dukes on its ‘Family Law Power List‘ in 2024. She has also been recognized as a South Carolina Super Lawyers ‘Rising Star’ from 2016 to 2019, and named to the ‘Legal Elite’ ranking by Charleston Business Magazine from 2019 to 2024.
“Rene embodies the qualities we advocate for in our attorneys,” Saxton & Stump CEO James W. Saxton said. “She’s dedicated to her work, clients, and community. This recognition confirms what we’ve always known: that she’s one of the most impactful attorneys in South Carolina.”
Dukes was recognized at the publication’s May 8 event at the Pastides Alumni Center in Columbia.
Saxton & Stump’s strategic growth outlook
Saxton & Stump continues to expand its Charleston office, offering a full range of legal and consulting services across South Carolina. The firm is a dynamic, full-service organization of 250 professionals, including over 130 attorneys and more than 40 paralegals across 10 offices. Saxton & Stump’s innovative model continues to attract highly talented and experienced attorneys and business professionals, driving the growth of the law firm and its affiliates.
Saxton & Stump provides solutions for complex legal issues and partners with clients to create a roadmap for their success. The firm is committed to empowering clients by delivering five-star service and results-focused advice.
