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Rusty Comley has significant product liability, commercial, construction, and health care litigation experience across multiple jurisdictions (Mississippi, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, and Texas among others).  He has successfully tried cases to verdict in federal and state courts in Mississippi and other states, as well as in multi-million dollar administrative hearings and appeals.  Rusty has served as counsel in cases for current and former manufacturers of welding products, helicopters, aircraft engines and fuel, commercial pipe, and medical devices, and for national health care companies.  He has handled multiple large commercial construction defect cases in Mississippi.  Rusty also defends attorneys and law firms in professional liability suits.  He has argued cases on appeal before the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, Mississippi Supreme Court, and Mississippi Court of Appeals.  From 1996-2003, Rusty served our country as a Captain in the Aviation Branch of the United States Army.  He holds a Commercial Pilot's License (Rotary-wing) with an Instrument Rating.

Notable Cases

Wilkaitis v. Mississippi Children's Home Soc'y, No. 2020-CA-00272-COA, 2021 WL 3877917 (Miss. Ct. App. Aug. 31, 2021)

In the Matter of the Request of IMI Transport, Inc. (Medicaid Audit), Decision After Hearing (New York Department of Health July 21, 2016),  https://www.health.ny.gov/health_care/medicaid/decisions

BriovaRx, LLC v. Transcript Pharmacy, Inc., 163 So. 3d 311 (Miss. Ct. App. 2015)

Dorsey v. Blue Bird Corp., 2014 WL 5017894 (N.D. Miss. Oct. 6, 2014)

Dunbar v. Walker, 2012-899-B (Madison Cnty. Chan. Ct. June 5, 2014)

Dorsey v. Tadlock, 2012 WL 4467267 (N.D. Miss. Sept. 27, 2012)

Miss-Lou Ambulance Serv., LLC v. State of Mississippi, Div. of Medicaid, G2010-1287 (Hinds Cnty. Chan. Ct. May 21, 2012)

Miller v. Genie Indus., Inc., 2012 WL 161408 (N.D. Miss. Jan. 19, 2012)

Lincoln Elec. Co. v. McLemore, 54 So. 3d 833 (Miss. 2010)

Arroyo v. Lincoln Elec. Co., 08-WF-17980 (N.D. Ohio 2010)

Honors & Recognitions

  • AV Preeminent Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell
  • The Best Lawyers in America (2016-24, Aviation Law; Commercial Litigation; Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants; Privacy and Data Security Law; Product Liability Litigation - Defendants)
  • Mid-South Super Lawyers (2013-19, Personal Injury Defense: Products; 2012, Rising Star)
  • Portico Jackson, Portico 10 Attorneys (2015)
  • Mississippi College Law Review, Executive Editor
  • Mississippi College Moot Court Board

Community & Professional

  • American Bar Association
  • Bar Association of the Federal Fifth Circuit
  • The Mississippi Bar
  • Helicopter Association International Legal Referral Directory
  • Aviation Insurance Association
  • Barrister, The Charles Clark American Inn of Court

Articles & Publications

Publications and Speaking Engagements

  • “Good Counsel for Preventing and Responding to Cyberattacks facing Healthcare Providers,” 2018 Mississippi Bar Convention, Health Law Section, Miramar Beach, FL & 2019 Health Law Lagniappe, Mississippi Bar Center, Jackson, MS, March 29, 2019

  • "Law of Engineering Malpractice,” Halfmoon Seminar, Managing Engineering Liability & Risk Jackson, MS, March 20, 2018 (with Drew Norwood)
  • "Your Practice is Being Audited: Complying, Fighting, and Winning," 2017 ABA Health Law Section and Chicago Medical Society Physicians Legal Issues Conference, Chicago, IL, June 9, 2017 (with Abby Pendleton).
  • "Hot Topics in Healthcare," Mississippi Association of Family Physicians 2015 Spring Conference, Ridgeland, MS, April 18, 2015 (with Joyce Hall).
  • "Damages in Personal Injury," National Business Institute, Jackson, MS, August 27, 2014 (with Joe Baladi).

Education

Juris Doctor: Mississippi College School of Law, 2006, summa cum laude

Bachelor's Degree: Business Management, University of Mississippi, 1996, cum laude