Rutens Mediation Group

Andrew Rutens’ practice areas are premises liability, vehicular accidents, employment and labor law, government entity liability, law enforcement excessive force defense and general defense litigation.

Andy graduated from Florida State University with a BS in Economics and Political Science and received his Juris Doctorate from Samford University, Cumberland School of Law in 1992. He was admitted to the Alabama Bar in 1992 and the Florida Bar in 1994.

In addition to practicing in all Alabama and Florida courts, Andy is admitted to practice in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Alabama, the United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida, the United States Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit and the United States Supreme Court. He has tried numerous jury trials in state circuit court and federal district court, and has handled appellate matters throughout Alabama, the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals and the United States Supreme Court.

Andy serves as the City Attorney for Saraland, Alabama, and is a past president for the Alabama Defense Lawyers Association. He is a member of the Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel (FDCC) where he serves as Chairman of the Civil Rights and Public Entity Liability Section.

On a personal level, Andy was the Chief Volunteer Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors for the YMCA of South Alabama from 2015 to 2018, and served on the Board of Directors for the Playhouse in the Park where he was the Chairman. Andy is a member of the St. Ignatius Choir and serves as a soloist.

Andy has taught multiple continuing legal education seminars. In 2026 he presented as part of a panel discussion on PFAS regulation and litigation during the FDCC Winter Meeting in Phoenix, Arizona. In 2025 he was a panel member at the FDCC Annual Meeting in Park City, Utah, speaking on artificial intelligence and the use for deep fakes in labor and employment claims. He has led seminars on issues of police liability, land use and planning issues as well as zoning concerns for the National Business Institute. Andy has also co-presented seminars for the Alabama Defense Lawyers Association including “A Comparison of Alabama and Tennessee Law and Public Entity and Public Employer Immunity”.