from staff
Gov. Rick Scott appointed Jacksonville attorney Rutledge Liles to the Supreme Court Judicial Nominating Commission.
Liles, 69, is the president of Liles, Gavin, Costantino, George & Dearing and is a former president of The Jacksonville Bar Association and The Florida Bar.
Liles succeeds Robert Hackleman and is appointed for a term that began Monday and ends July 1, 2015.
“I am honored to be selected to serve on the Florida Supreme Court Judicial Nominating Commission and I am honored to serve,” Liles said Tuesday.
He said he spoke with Charles Trippe, general counsel to Gov. Rick Scott.
“He asked if I was interested in serving on the commission. I think it’s a civic responsibility and I am proud to serve,” said Liles.
Liles previously served on Florida’s Federal Judicial Nominating Commission, but hasn’t served on a judicial nominating commission for the state court system.
Liles has more than 45 years of experience in business and commercial litigation, professional malpractice, insurance disputes, product liability, personal injury and wrongful death, intellectual property litigation, state and federal appeals, medical malpractice, construction litigation, premises liability and contract disputes.
He was president of The JBA 1976-77. He was president-elect of the The Florida Bar from 1987-88 and president from 1988-89, following six years as a member of the board of governors.
Liles is a member of the American College of Trial Lawyers, the International Society of Barristers and the American Board of Trial Advocates.
A U.S. Marine Corps veteran, he received his bachelor’s degree from Florida State University and his law degree from the University of Florida.
Scott also reappointed Jason Unger, 43, of Tallahassee, to the commission. He is a shareholder with GrayRobinson. His term also began Monday and ends July 1, 2015.
At GrayRobinson since 1998, Unger has represented George W. Bush and Richard Cheney in the 2000 presidential election; the Florida House of Representatives in redistricting; the Republican Party of Florida; and members of the Legislature in election law matters.
Before joining GrayRobinson, he served as Special Counsel to the Florida House of Representatives. Unger received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida and his law degree from the University of Florida College of Law.