Michael Rust

Biography

Michael Rust has practiced law for 40 years and is a founding partner in the law firm of Gray, Rust, St. Amand, Moffett & Brieske, LP where he is actively engaged in litigation in Georgia state and federal courts. Michael has been lead counsel in numerous jury trials, most involving claims of serious injury or death or significant property damage and has argued numerous appeals in the Georgia Court of Appeals, the Georgia Supreme Court, and the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals. Many of these cases arose out of the construction industry or were related to claims of defective products. He has also been coverage counsel for several large national insurers.

Michael prides himself on his relationships with counsel on both sides of the aisle and was the co-recipient, in 2018, of the inaugural Georgia Trial Lawyers Association and Georgia Defense Lawyers Association Civility and Professionalism Award.

Michael joined Henning in 2024.

Professional Experience

• Gray, Rust, St. Amand, Moffett & Brieske, LP(1999 to present)
• Fortson & White/Smith, Howard & Ajax, LP(1984 - 1999)

Professional Activities

• Atlanta Bar Association, Board Member, Litigation Section (2010-2011), Board Member Atlanta Bar(2011 - 2012)
• Fellow, American Bar Association

Honors and Awards

• Georgia Super Lawyers(2007 - 2024)
• GTLA/GDLA Joint Civility and Professionalism Award (2018)

Education

• Emory University (1980)
• Emory University School of Law, Notes and Comments Editor, Emory Law Journal (1983)

Areas of Expertise

• Serious injury including traumatic brain, spinal, and burn injuries
• Wrongful death
• Construction related injury
• Construction defects
• Products Liability
• Premises Liability
• Trucking and Transportation
• Insurance Coverage
• Bad Faith and Extracontractual Liability
• Defamation
• Aviation