Rutledge R. Liles

Managing Partner

225 Water Street, Suite 1500
Jacksonville, Florida 32202
Phone: 904.634.1100
Email: rliles@lilesgavin.com

Rutledge R. Liles is a Board Certified civil trial lawyer with more than forty-three 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,  wrongful death, 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.

Mr. Liles, born in Miami, was raised in Miami and Jacksonville. He earned his undergraduate degree from Florida State University and his law degree from the University of Florida, where his strong academic and writing skills earned him the prestigious position of Executive Editor of the Florida Law Review. 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.

Professional Honors & Awards

• Martindale-Hubbell's “AV” rating
• “Best Lawyers in America,” 1999-2009 Editions
  • Commercial Litigation
  • Insurance Law
  • Legal Malpractice Law
  • Personal Injury Litigation
  • Product Liability Litigation
  • Bet-the-Company Litigation
  • Intellectual Property Law
• Chambers, USA “America’s Leading Business Lawyers,” 2004-2009
• Florida Super Lawyers, 2006-2009
• Florida Trend’s Legal Elite, 2005, 2006 and 2009
• Fellow, American College of Trial Lawyers
• Fellow, International Society of Barristers 1988-present
  Board of Governors 2008-present

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
• American Board of Trial Advocates
• Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers
• Chester Bedell Inn of Court (Emeritus)
• Supreme Court Committee on Standard Jury Instructions, 1999-2001
• City of Jacksonville Ethics Commission, 2002-2004

Court Admissions

• U.S. Supreme Court
• U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit
• U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth 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

Published Articles

• “Insurance Bad Faith, The ‘Setup Myth’”, Columns Magazine, Harris Martin Publishing, November, 2002; The Florida Bar Journal, 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.