Rodney J. Janis

Rodney J. Janis is the senior administrative partner of Goldberg Segalla’s Florida offices and co-chair of the Retail and Hospitality Practice Group. He is also a member of the Management and Professional Liability leadership group and the General Liability Leadership group. He is a Board Certified Civil Trial Lawyer and currently serves as national trial counsel for a captive specialty insurer. In this role, he has served as lead trial counsel in matters in some of the most challenging jurisdictions nationwide, including Louisiana, Florida, California, New York, Washington, D.C, Texas, West Virginia, Alabama, and Pennsylvania. This on-the-ground experience translates into a measurable advantage for clients who rely on Rod’s ability to respond quickly to their needs, regardless of venue.

Rod’s wide-ranging litigation practice includes defending professional liability matters such as the defense of insurance agents, insurance brokers, mortgage brokers, accountants, attorneys, financial advisors, architects, engineers, landscape architects, property managers, and other construction professionals. He regularly handles cases all over the country involving high-exposure retail and restaurant defense and construction-related accidents.

In the employment and labor sphere, Rod is experienced in litigating matters arising under a variety of federal and Florida state employment laws, including claims relating to the Aviation Investment and Reform Act (AIR21), the Family and Medical Leave Act, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Employee Polygraphy Protection Act (EPPA), the Fair Housing Act, OSHA Whistleblower Protection Program, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and other federal and state employment laws. Rod, who conducts workplace investigations and helps draft employment policies and procedures, offers thoughtful, strategic advice to help clients avoid litigation and remain in compliance.

Rod’s dynamic practice, trial expertise, and skill-set has allowed him to gain a wide range of experience spanning over multiple practice areas. Rod has litigated on behalf of corporations and insurance carriers in the areas of construction defect and construction accidents, including contractual and insurance risk transfer issues; elevator and escalator liability; monitoring and resolution of complex excess risk and catastrophic personal injury claims; hotel and restaurant liability, including premises, security, and dram shop claims; municipal liability; premises and security liability, including property damage and personal injuries; products liability; transportation-related litigation; and wrongful death actions. He counsels on first-party, excess, self-insured, and captive matters, and litigates complex third-party claims and coverage issues.

Experience Highlights

Legal Malpractice

•Represented civil litigation lawyer for malpractice following multi-million dollar bad faith judgment against carrier insuring lawyer’s client. Claim by plaintiff and carrier that counsel did not properly advise and report as to case value, exposure and risks given the inadequate insurance coverage for the loss. Case settled.
•Represented probate lawyer for alleged negligent handling of multi-million dollar estate resulting in tax fines, penalties and allegations of improper will administration and self-dealing. Case settled.
•Represented plaintiff personal injury lawyers in professional negligence and ethics matter regarding fees, costs and settlement proceeds to multiple clients and cost disbursements to physicians. Case settled.

Honors & Awards

Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Rating: AV Preeminent

Florida Super Lawyers, Rising Stars, 2009-2013

Florida Legal Elite, 2009-2011

Training and Certificates

•Board Certified Civil Trial Attorney, Florida Bar Board of Legal Specialization, 2009-present

Publications & Events

Publications

•Featured in “ Goldberg Segalla’s Growth Quick Yet Methodical ,” Buffalo Law Journal, December 27, 2016

Recent Insights

Jury Finds in Favor of Store in Liability Claim by Injured Woman

July 26, 2019

Trivial Defect Doctrine at the Center of Summary Judgment Win for International Coffee Company

July 23, 2019

Goldberg Segalla’s Growth Quick Yet Methodical, Buffalo Law Journal

December 27, 2016

Goldberg Segalla Announces Second Florida Expansion

March 14, 2016