Rodney Janis is the regional managing partner of the West Palm Beach office. He focuses his legal practice on complex construction defect matters, professional liability and commercial litigation, and insurance coverage and reinsurance matters. He maintains a diverse, wide-ranging, multistate practice and is the national trial counsel for a leading international insurance organization. In this position he serves as lead trial counsel on an array of insurance defense matters nationwide. Rod has taken cases to verdict in numerous states and is a nationally recognized Board Certified Civil Trial Lawyer.

The sheer number and variety of cases that Rod handles - from simple matters to cutting-edge, precedent-setting trials - allows him to stay ahead of the curve. His clients appreciate that wherever the venue for their most complex and difficult cases, Rod can move quickly and confidently to serve their interests.

Military Service

Rod served in the U.S. Air Force Intelligence in 1996.

Areas of Focus

Construction

Rod has handled the spectrum of construction-related matters, from pre-suit Florida Statute 558 matters to complex construction defect trials. He has represented contractors, design professionals, subcontractors, suppliers and both domestic and foreign manufacturers. Rod has handled matters in Florida state courts, federal courts and arbitration. He also handles select matters across the country. Rod has been lead trial counsel in both jury trials and arbitration in connection with construction defect and construction product matters. Representative cases involve commercial, industrial and residential projects with a broad range of issues, such as EIFS failures, CPVC matters, HVAC design and manufacturing issues, concrete/structural design and construction issues, roof failures, window manufacturing and design matters, truss manufacturing and design issues, construction product liability and construction equipment failures.

Commercial

Rod has in-depth experience in the areas of commercial litigation, and he has handled and tried business/contract disputes, insurance coverage analysis and litigation, and complex property matters.

Employment

Rod has handled a wide range of employment matters, including whistleblower violations, retaliation matters, violation of the Federal Polygraph Protection Act, race and age discrimination matters, and restrictive covenant, non-compete and employment agreement disputes throughout the litigation process from pre-suit through trial. Rod also has tried numerous matters relating to breach of employment agreements, violation of restrictive covenants and covenants not to compete.

Products Liability

Rod has handled a wide variety of products liability matters, including acting as lead counsel in state and MDL Chinese drywall matters. He also has handled products cases in the areas of agricultural equipment, household equipment, power tools and related equipment, pharmaceuticals products and consumer recreational products.

Memberships & Affiliations

The Florida Bar, Trial Lawyers Section

Indiana State University Department of Construction Risk Management, Advisory Committee Member

Florida Defense Lawyers Association

Defense Research Institute, Trial Tactics and Construction Law Section

ABA Forum on the Construction Industry

Awards & Distinctions

Selected for inclusion in Super Lawyers Rising Star - Florida, 2009-2012

Florida Legal Elite, 2009-2011

Certifications/Licenses

Board Certified Civil Trial Lawyer, Florida Bar Board of Legal Specialization

Board Certification, Civil Trial Law, National Board of Legal Specialty Certification