J. Rutledge Young, III

partner

Born and raised in Charleston, J. Rutledge Young, III is an experienced trial lawyer who represents clients in all of South Carolina's state and federal trial courts. Although Rutledge's primary practice is in South Carolina's trial courts, he and the firm also handle appeals throughout the state and federal systems.

As part of his practice, Rutledge represents individuals and businesses in all types of civil disputes and in every type of forum. Rutledge represents Plaintiffs in product defect cases involving wrongful death, dismemberment, and quadriplegic injuries. Rutledge represents people and businesses in first party, bad faith claims against insurance companies. Rutledge represents homeowners and homeowner associations in construction defect cases and termite damage cases. Rutledge represents borrowers and developers in lender liability claims against banks and institutional lenders. Rutledge represents businesses and closely held corporations in complex commercial litigation. When representing Plaintiffs, Rutledge has obtained multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements for his clients, and when representing Defendants, he has secured defense verdicts.

Almost all of Rutledge's clients are seeking the firm's assistance because of some immediate legal crisis. They have either been abused or injured by some other person or company, or they have been sued. For example, he represents families after the death or tragic injury of a loved one. He represents families whose homes have been destroyed by termites or construction defects. In addition, Rutledge has helped defend a nationwide industry from an antitrust class action pending in the federal court in Charleston. In every case, Rutledge's primary focus is to use his experience and the resources of his firm's collective talent to help his clients achieve favorable results through proper use and understanding of the American judicial system.

Rutledge graduated from the University of Virginia and the University of South Carolina School of Law. He is a former law clerk to South Carolina's Chief United States District Judge David C. Norton. After clerking for Judge Norton and before starting Duffy & Young, Rutledge practiced with the Charleston firm of Wills and Massalon.

Rutledge is active in the local community. He serves on the Board of Directors of the Middleton Place Foundation and, for 2011 through 2013, as President of the Board of Directors of the Preservation Society of Charleston. He and his wife, Molly, have three young children.