Ruth C. Rhodes and Rhodes Law, P.A. help individuals and families with all areas of Elder Law, which includes, but not limited to, Estate Planning, Wills and Trusts, Powers of Attorney, Guardianship, Probate and Trust Administration, and Medicaid Planning.
Please call (321) 610-4542 or email [email protected] to arrange a consultation or to make a referral.
Areas of Practice:
Elder Law, Estate Planning, Guardianship, Probate and Trust Administration, and Medicaid Planning.
Ruth Rhodes' Experience:
Attorney, Rhodes Law, P.A., October 2010-Present
Professor (Adjunct), Everest University, 2007-May 2011 (4 years)
Attorney, Practicing Litigation Attorney at Melbourne based law firm 2006-2011 (5 years): Conducted legal research, analyzed evidence and discovery, and drafted legal documents from simple notices to complex complaints and memorandums of law. Prepared for and attend hearings, depositions, and trial. Met with clients to discuss case issues, and provided clients with alternatives and legal advice. Supervised and trained paralegals and other staff. Concentrated area of law was commercial litigation and started new area of law for firm in Estate Planning.
Extern, U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida, Orlando, FL, August 2005-November 2005.
Researched, analyzed, and drafted final disposition orders resolving Social Security Disability appeals for two United States Magistrate Judges (Honorable James G. Glazebrook and Honorable David A. Baker). Social Security appeals involve complex federal statutes, regulations, and case law, and requires careful analysis of voluminous medical records.
Summer Intern, Arna D. Cortazzo, P.A., May 2005-August 2005: Received intensive training in estate planning and in drafting Wills, Trusts, Deeds, and related documents. Worked closely with attorney with the entire process of estate planning. Interviewed clients to determine estate planning needs, drafted required documents, and assisted with execution of same. Also, assisted attorney with family law matters. Drafted all documents from petitions to final judgments in family law cases.
Summer Intern, Robert L. Beals, P.A., May 2004-June 2004: Drafted legal pleadings, real estate contracts, and other real estate documents. Worked closely with attorney in a variety of real estate matters. Answered phones, filed, and performed a variety of other general office tasks. Extensive contact with clients, real estate professionals, and title companies.
Economic Self Sufficiency Specialist, Florida Department of Children and Families, 2001-2003.
Senior Paralegal, Diana Figueroa, P.A. July 1999-May 2001: Worked closely with attorney in all aspects of a variety of family law matters and criminal law matters. Prepared cases for trial, examined evidence, performed legal research, drafted legal pleadings, drafted memorandums of law, interviewed clients and witnesses, trained junior paralegals and other members of the office staff, and performed a variety of general office tasks. Extensive contact with judicial offices, law offices, law enforcement, witnesses, and the public.
Paralegal/Hearings Officer, White & Associates, Melbourne, FL, February 1998-July 1999: Office specialized in Social Security Disability Claims. Assisted clients with obtaining Social Security Disability and/or Supplemental Security Income, examined and submitted medical evidence to SSA. Completed and submitted a variety of SSA disability applications, appeals forms, questionnaires, and other required forms. Prepared cases for hearings, and represented clients before Administrative Law Judges. Provided extensive case management.
Court Clerk II, District Court Clerk, Silver City, NM, January 1997-January 1998: Docketed legal pleadings filed with Court. Advised pro se parties of Court procedure. Maintained law library. Extensive contact with judicial offices, law offices, law enforcement, and the public. Worked in Civil Litigation, Domestic Matters, Criminal, and Juvenile Divisions.
Court Financial Specialist, Magistrate Court, Silver City, NM, October 1996-January 1997: Entered old criminal cases into new computer system. Initiated process of collecting outstanding Court fines and fees which resulted in recovery of thousands of dollars to the Court and law enforcement. Worked in Criminal, Traffic, and Landlord/Tenant Divisions.
Deputy Court Clerk, Brevard County Clerk of Courts, June 1991-June 1992: Court clerk for county judge assisting judge with Felony First Appearances, Misdemeanor Criminal, Traffic, and Small Claims Court.
Education:
Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, College of Law J.D., 2003-2006: Graduated Valedictorian 2006. Dean's List from Fall 2003 through Spring 2006. Member of Law Review 2005-2006. Participated in Regional Client Counseling Competition Spring 2005. Awarded the Florida Bar Association's Outstanding Law Student in Local Government Law, Spring 2005. Member of Criminal Justice Club Spring 2005 through Spring 2006.
Western New Mexico University, B.S., Criminal Justice, 1993-1996: Selected for "Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges," 1996. Awarded "Outstanding Administration of Justice Student," Spring 1996. President of Criminal Justice Club, 1995-1996. President of Alpha Phi Sigma Honor Society, 1995-1996.
Keiser College, A.S., Paralegal Studies, 1990-1992: Graduated High Honors.
