Richard Rusak, Cole, Scott & Kissane, P.A. Photo

Richard Rusak

Partner

Overview

Overview

Richard D. Rusak is a Partner in the firm's Miami office and Board Certified in Marine/Admiralty Law by the Florida Bar Board of Legal Education and Specialization since 2010.  He is an accomplished trial lawyer with two decades of litigation and appellate experience in federal and state courts and primarily represents major insurance companies, ship owners and marinas in marine/admiralty defense cases.  Mr. Rusak also practices in the areas of hospitality defense, trucking accidents, first party insurance litigation, property damage claims, products liability, wrongful death, and personal injury litigation.

Mr. Rusak involves himself in document-intensive investigation and extensive discovery to formulate litigation strategies, while consistently working with claims specialists to develop and implement successful litigation, settlement, and trial strategies.  In addition to defense litigation, he handles declaratory relief actions, contract drafting and all aspects of case management from inception through appeal.

In 2016, Mr. Rusak obtained the highest maritime verdict in Florida. He has argued before trial and appellate courts and has received over 85 reported decisions.  He has also won multiple dismissals with prejudice, summary judgments, a directed verdict in a personal injury case and defense judgements in product liability trials.  Prior to joining the firm, Mr. Rusak was a partner with a regional law firm handling crewmember and passenger personal injury claims, maritime lien enforcements, marine property, and other commercial disputes.  

Mr. Rusak received his Juris Doctor cum laude from the University of Miami School of Law in 2002 and Bachelor of Arts cum laude from Monmouth University in West Long Branch, New Jersey in 1999, graduating with majors in History and Political Science.

Associations

  • The Florida Bar Association

Awards & Recognitions

Best Lawyers®, recognized since 2024

Super Lawyers® 2016 - 2019

Super Lawyers® Rising Stars: 2010 - 2015

  • Best Lawyers 2025

Newsroom

Publications

  • “The Shipowners’ Limitation of Liability Act: Pitfalls of the Unwary,” Co-Author
  • “Plowing Your Way into Environmental Liabilities in South Florida,” Co-Author

Education

  • University of Miami School of Law, J.D., cum laude
  • Monmouth University, B.A., cum laude

Admissions

  • Florida, 10/31/2002
  • U.S. Supreme Court
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit
  • U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida
  • U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida
  • U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida
  • U.S. District Courts of Texas, Northern, Southern and Eastern
  • U.S. Virgin Islands
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