Rutledge R. Liles

Partner
  • 50 North Laura Street
  • Suite 1200
  • Jacksonville, FL 32202

Rutledge R. Liles is a Board Certified civil trial lawyer with fifty years of experience. Mr. Liles has successfully represented national and local businesses and individuals in both state and federal courts throughout Florida.

Mr. Liles possesses extensive expertise in business and commercial litigation, professional malpractice, insurance disputes, product liability, personal injury and wrongful death, and intellectual property litigation, state and federal appeals, medical malpractice, construction litigation, premises liability, and contract disputes. Mr. Liles’ practice also includes representing professionals in administrative matters relating to licensure and discipline.

Mr. Liles’ considerable experience in matters relating to insurance disputes has made him one of the State’s preeminent experts in bad faith litigation.

Rutledge R. Liles was President-Elect of The Florida Bar from 1987-1988 and President from 1988-89, following six years as a member of the Board of Governors. He is Florida Bar Board Certified in Civil Trial Law and is a member of the American College of Trial Lawyers, the International Society of Barristers and the American Board of Trial Advocates.

He is continuously listed in The Best Lawyers in America, Florida Super Lawyers, Florida Trend’s Legal Elite, and Chambers USA America’s Leading Business Lawyers, which lists him as one of the state’s “first tier” litigators.

Mr. Liles was recognized in the 2011 edition of Florida Super Lawyers as one of the top 100 lawyers in Florida across all practice areas.
Prior to entering the practice of law, Mr. Liles served in the United States Marine Corps. While not practicing law, Mr. Liles enjoys spending time with his wife Noel and their three grown daughters and nine grandchildren.

Rutledge R. Liles

Areas of Practice

  • Bet the Company Litigation
  • Commercial Litigation
  • Professional Liability
  • Insurance Litigation
  • Personal Injury
  • Wrongful Death
  • Legal Malpractice

Education

  • B.A., Florida State University, 1964
  • J.D., University of Florida, 1966

Court Admissions

  • U.S. Supreme Court
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit
  • U.S. District Court Middle District of Florida
  • U.S. District Court Northern District of Florida
  • U.S. District Court Southern District of Florida
  • Florida State Courts

Professional Honors & Awards

  • Best Lawyers’ Jacksonville Best Lawyers Insurance Law Lawyer of the year 2012
  • Best Lawyers' Jacksonville Product Liability Litigation – Defendant "Lawyer of the Year" 2014
  • Best Lawyers’ Insurance Law Lawyer of the Year 2015
  • Florida Certified Circuit Mediator
  • Martindale-Hubbell's "AV" rating
  • "Best Lawyers in America," 1999-2016 Editions
  • Chambers, USA "America's Leading Business Lawyers," 2004-2016
  • Florida Super Lawyers, 2006-2016 (Top 100, 2011 edition)
  • Florida Trend's Legal Elite, 2005, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016
  • Fellow, American College of Trial Lawyers
  • Fellow, International Society of Barristers
  • 2013 Trial Lawyer of the Year – Jacksonville Chapter of ABOTA
  • 2014 Trial Lawyer of the Year – State of Florida – ABOTA
  • Jacksonville Bar Association Professionalism Award 2014-2015

Professional Associations & Memberships

  • The Florida Bar (President and President Elect, 1987-1989; Board of Governors, 1981-1987)
  • Jacksonville Bar Association (President, 1976-1977)
  • Florida Supreme Court Historical Society (President 2007-2008)
  • Federal Judicial Nominating Commission, 1991-1996
  • Judicial Qualifications Commission, 1991-1998
  • American College of Trial Lawyers, Fellow
  • International Society of Barristers (President 2015-2016)
  • American Board of Trial Advocates
  • Chester Bedell Inn of Court (Emeritus)
  • Supreme Court Committee on Standard Jury Instructions, 1999-2001
  • City of Jacksonville Ethics Commission, 2002-2004

Published Articles

  • "Florida Insurance Bad Faith Law: Protecting Businesses and You", The Florida Bar Journal, Volume 85, No. 3, March, 2011
  • "Insurance Bad Faith, The 'Setup Myth'", Columns Magazine, Harris Martin Publishing, November, 2002; The Florida Bar Journal, June, 2003
  • "Lawyers as Counselors: The Conflict Between Ordinary Morality And Practical Reality," 42 U.Fla.L.Rev. 479 (1991)
  • "Professionalism and Our Historical Imperative: A Parting Comment," Vol. LXIII, No. 6, The Florida Bar Journal, June, 1989
  • "Legislation: Does The Florida Bar Have An Obligation To Speak Out?," Vol. LXIII, No. 4, The Florida Bar Journal, April, 1989
  • "The Case for Merit Selection/Retention Of Trial Judges," Vol. LXIII, No. 3, The Florida Bar Journal, April, 1989
  • "Professionalism: Advertising And Solicitation--In Search Of A Better Understanding," Vol. LXIII, No. 2, The Florida Bar Journal, February, 1989
  • "Professionalism And The Contingent Fee: When Is Enough Enough?", Vol. LXIII, No. 1, The Florida Bar Journal, January, 1989
  • "Professionalism: The Self Discipline Of Policing Our Ranks," Vol. LXII, No. 11, The Florida Bar Journal, December, 1988
  • "We The People - The Vanishing American Voter," Vol. LXII, No. 10, The Florida Bar Journal,November, 1988
  • "Professionalism: Rebirth Of An Ideal," Vol. LXII, No. 9, The Florida Bar Journal, October, 1988
  • "The Lawyer In Society - A Role With Responsibility," Vol. LXII, No. 7, July/August, 1988, The Florida Bar Journal
  • "Evidence: Legislative Reform For The 'Dead Man's Statute'," 18 U.Fla.L.Rev. 693 (1966)
  • "Guest Statute: Applicability of Guest Statute Exception To College Students," 18 U.Fla.L.Rev. 159 (1965)

Speaking Engagements

  • Mr. Liles has been a featured speaker at many State and Local Bar programs on a wide range of topics, including Trial Tactics, Malpractice, and Ethics and Lawyer Professionalism.