Jeff E. Rusk

"I feel very strongly that those responsible for injury to others should be held accountable. Unfortunately, the sad fact is that thousands of people, especially the young and elderly, often suffer needlessly as a result of defective products, improper health care, and other failures on the part of corporations and individuals who refuse to accept responsibility for their conduct."

Jeff Rusk, the chief litigator for the firm, is board certified in personal injury and civil trial law. In catastrophic injury and wrongful death cases, he provides clients with a passionate courtroom presence. He strives both to achieve justice for his clients and to prevent future harm by ensuring that those who have caused suffering change the way they do business. In negotiations over the past ten years, he has regularly pressed for and achieved policy and procedural changes as well as financial compensation for clients.

A native of the Austin area, Rusk graduated from South Texas College of Law in 1983. After four years with a major civil defense law firm, he co-founded the law firm of Shields & Rusk, which in 2002 became known as The Rusk Law Firm, P.C. He is licensed to practice law in Texas and Tennessee and has attracted national attention for his commitment to the elderly. An accomplished pilot, he flies his own aircraft to serve clients nationwide.

Texas Monthly has repeatedly recognized Rusk as one of the state’s Super Lawyers, most recently in 2005. Texas Lawyer named him one of Austin's "Hottest Plaintiffs Lawyers" in 1998, and the Austin Young Lawyers Association named him the Outstanding Young Lawyer of Austin in 1994 for his professional expertise and service to the profession and the community. Rusk has served as president of the American Board of Trial Advocates—Austin Chapter—and is currently director of the Texas Trial Lawyers Association.

A dedicated community leader, Rusk established and continues to head the community-wide "Santa Brings A Law Suit" annual clothing drive, which benefits job counseling centers for the homeless and SafePlace.