Former General Counsel of Florida Governor Joins Miami Trial Practice
MIAMI, FL (February 23, 2007) — The Florida office of McDermott Will & Emery is pleased to announce the arrival of Raquel "Rocky" Rodriguez as a partner in the Firm's Trial Department. Prior to joining McDermott, Ms. Rodriguez served as general counsel to Florida Governor Jeb Bush. Her practice focuses on commercial, international, constitutional and election litigation, dispute resolution and strategy government ethics advice, inter-governmental relations and economic incentives.
"Rocky is a great addition to our Florida team," commented Ira Coleman, partner-in-charge of the Miami office. "She brings a unique perspective of state government in addition to her expansive portfolio of private practice experience. She will add very important skills to our ever expanding platform here in Florida."
Ms. Rodriguez’s clients have included Fortune 500 companies, foreign government entities and entrepreneurs. She has published articles in numerous legal publications, and she is a frequent speaker and panelist on a wide range of legal topics at seminars and continuing legal education events. She has also been an adjunct professor of law at the University of Miami Law School. Ms. Rodriguez was listed in Florida Trends Legal Elite (government lawyers) in 2005 and 2006. She received the Dade County Bar Association and Eleventh Judicial Circuit “Put Something Back” Exceptional Participation Pro Bono Service Award for representing Cuban refugees at Guantanamo Naval Base in litigation against U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno. In law school, she was a member of the University of Miami Law Review and the Order of the Coif, and she was class valedictorian. She earned her B.A. summa cum laude in politics and public affairs from the University of Miami.
"The experience Rocky brings with her complements our existing Firm-wide trial practice while adding depth to our local Miami litigation group," commented Jeffrey Stone, head of the Firm's Trial Department. "She is a key addition to our expanding trial practice."
In addition to previously being a shareholder at an international law firm in both its Miami and Washington, D.C. offices, Ms. Rodriguez served as executive director of a London-based multinational association of independent law firms. She is admitted to practice in Florida, as well as before the U.S. Supreme Court; U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit; U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida. Ms. Rodriguez is also qualified as a solicitor in England and Wales. Since 2003, Ms. Rodriguez has been a member of the Florida Bar Judicial Nomination Procedures Committee. She is fluent in Spanish and speaks French.
McDermott's Miami office, which opened in 1977, was the Firm's first office outside of Chicago. The Florida office is a full service office, providing sophisticated legal services to major corporations, health care entities and private equity firms.
McDermott's Trial Department is well-known for providing clients with a unique blend of trial skills and substantive experience which can be effectively used in the many areas of law and business where disputes arise.
