Upon his graduation from The University of Texas School of Law in 1989, Rick Rutledge served a tour in the U.S. Marine Corps at Camp Pendleton, California, where he worked as both a prosecutor and a defense counsel in a busy trial shop. Upon leaving the USMC in 1993, he went to work at Wetzel, Herron & Drucker, the predecessor firm of what later came to be known as Drucker, Rutledge & Smith, LLP.  The firm’s trial practice was widely regarded as one of the finest in Harris and Montgomery Counties, successfully handling large and complex matters all over Texas. 

When his former firm merged with Baker Donelson to form the firm’s Houston office in 2012, Rick decided set out in a new direction. Thus, after a successful run of nearly 20 years with Drucker, Rutledge and Smith, LLP, and its precedessors, Rick opened Rutledge Law Office, P.C. in February 2012.

Rick was voted one of Houston's Best Lawyers in 2008 and again by his peers in 2017. He has been  recognized both by peers and judges as an AV-rated trial lawyer (Preeminent 2012, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024) for both ethical standards and professional ability. Since founding Rutledge Law Office, P.C. more than a decade ago, Rick's practice has continued to focus on construction, commercial, tort, and indemnity/insurance issues. Rick is Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. In 2024, Rick also passed the Florida Bar and was licensed to practice in Florida. 

A member of the Texas Bar since 1989, Rick is also licensed to practice in the U.S. Supreme Court and U.S. District Court (Southern, Eastern and Northern Districts of Texas). Rick is also a member of the Houston, Montgomery County and The Woodlands bar associations, as well as the Construction and Lititgation Sections of the Texas State Bar. In 2024, Rick passed the Florida Bar and also obtained his license to practice in Florida. 

Rick is a native Houstonian and a graduate of Northbrook High School. Rick lives in The Woodlands; he has four grown children, ages 23 to 33. Rick's interests are spending time with family and pug (Goose), college football, the Houston Astros, as well as baseball of any kind and level. As the first General Manager for the MtB Mustangs and the long-time and winningest Varsity Head Coach of their high school baseball team, Rick’s jersey (#2) was retired in 2011.

Pictured above: Rick and the Rut Kids, in Washington, D.C. in front of the U.S. Supreme Court, during the Summer of 2011.