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Eric Steven Ruff
About Eric
Biography
I like being able to lower the stress level and pain in my clients' lives. Before they come to see me, clients are often under a barrrage of phone calls, day and night, from bill collectors. Some are being sued in court for unpaid bills. Almost all wish they could pay the bills but they cannot. The resulting stress often pushes marriages to the breaking point. I believe that kids are sensitive to the stresses their parents are suffering and that means the kids suffer too. The pressure of debts that can't be paid makes everyone unhappy. Bankruptcy, on the other hand, can relieve the stress. My clients often end up owing only the debts they want to keep, typically house mortgages and car payments. I have had couples come up to me long after the bankruptcy has concluded thanking me for the work and telling me how their marriage and lives are better. I try to do first rate legal work, but the credit for the change these folks are enjoying goes to the bankruptcy law itself. We are lucky to have such a law and I like being a bankruptcy lawyer. It is an enjoyable job.
Practice Areas
1
Practice Area
Bankruptcy and Debt
100%
47 years | 2,900 cases
Fees and Rates
Cost
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in Florida for 46 years
State: Florida
Acquired: 1979
No misconduct found
Location
Eric S. Ruff
Ruff & Cohen, P.A., 4010 Newberry Road, Suite G, Gainesville, FL, 32607
Ruff & Cohen
1756 University Blvd. South, Jacksonville, FL, 32216
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Eric Steven Ruff's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
34 Client Reviews
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Practice Areas
What Clients Mention
Showing 1 - 3 of 3 reviews | Chapter 7 Bankruptcy
Posted by PS | July 17, 2014 | Chapter 7 Bankruptcy
Best bankruptcy attorney!
If you are in need of the best bankruptcy attorney in FL, you need to sit down and meet Mr. Ruff. We went thru the difficult time of filing for Chapter 7 and he made all the difference in the world. He and Mrs. Cohen made us feel protected and our worries and concerns were taken away by their experti...
Posted by Anne R | December 13, 2013 | Chapter 7 Bankruptcy
Wonderful lawyer with honest advice.
I meet Mr. Ruff back in June 2004. I was going through a very hard time and was scared about my future. After meeting with Mr. Ruff he was able to assistance me in filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy. He was extremely professional and compassionate at that time. Now 9 years later I ran my credit report a...
Posted by James | October 26, 2011 | Chapter 7 Bankruptcy
Excellent Bankruptcy Attorney
Mr. Ruff did a great job handling my chapter 7 case. He guided me through the process step by step, making it very clear what was required at each step. Mr. Ruff's knowledge, experience and confidence helped me feel that I was in good hands throughout the entire process. I would highly recommend him....
Eric Steven Ruff's Lawyer Endorsements
"I have known Eric since 1992. I have sent many clients to Eric over those years due to his expertise in the field of bankruptcy law. I have never had anything but excellent feedback from my clients concerning his representation of them."
"I have known and worked with Mr. Ruff for more than thirty years. I continue to refer my clients to him because he is highly intelligent, knowledgeable, resourceful and effective. He is my "go to" guy in bankruptcy."
"I endorse Mr. Ruff. I have known Mr. Ruff for over 30 years and know him to be of the highest integity and intellectual capabilities. He is well known in the community for his excellent advice and legal assistance. His demeanor, gentle humor, and genuine care for his clients adds tremendously to the value of his legal services. I strongly recommend Mr. Ruff."
"I endorse this lawyer. Mr. Ruff is a very knowledgeable and skilled Bankruptcy Attorney. As an attorney I have referred my clients to him for over 20 years and the results he has attained have always been exactly what was needed. He and I have also served as directors on the board of a local not-for-profit corporation and his insight and wisdom has always been very useful. I highly recommend him for anyone needing an experienced and skillful attorney for all types of bankruptcy matters."
Barbara Blount-Powell
Criminal defense lawyer
Richard Knellinger
Probate lawyer
Experience
Honors
2016
AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2015
AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2015
Client Distinction Award, Martindale-Hubbell
2014
BV Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2013
Client Distinction Award, Martindale-Hubbell
2013
BV Distinguished Rating, Martindale-Hubbell
2013
Top Bankruptcy Law Firm, LAWS.com
2012
BV Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2011
BV Distinguished rating, Martindale-Hubbell
2010
BV Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2009
BV Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2008
BV Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
1998
Paul Harris Fellow, Rotary Club of Downtown Gainesville
1979
Certficate of Recognition of Academic Excellence, Florida Law Review
1976
Book Award for Contracts !, University of Florida College of Law
Work Experience
1986 - Present
President, Ruff & Cohen, P.A.
1980 - 1985
Associate, Trinkle, Redman, Alley & Moody, P.A.
1979 - 1980
Associate, Law Office of William Randolph Klein
Associations
2000 - Present
Plaza West Condominium Association, Inc.Director and past Secretary
2011 - 2013
Jacksonville Bankruptcy Bar AssociationMember
2011 - 2013
Clay County Bar AssociationMember
2009 - 2011
Madera Community Association, Inc.Director
2008 - 2008
Democratic PartyOfficial Poll Watcher
2006 - 2012
CLO Alumni Foundation, Inc.Director
2004 - 2004
Democratic PartyOfficial Poll Watcher
1996 - 1996
Rotary Club of Downtown GainesvilleDirector
1988 - 1989
Eighth Judicial Circuit Bar AssociationEditor of Newsletter
1983 - 1983
Tampa Bay Osborne Computer Users GroupPresident
1983 - 1984
Ruff Software, Inc.President
1981 - 1982
Hillsborough County Bar AssociationChairman of the East Division
Sample of Legal Cases
Meares v. Revels Ford Tractor Co., Inc., 456 So.2d 1339 (Fla. 2d DCA 1984)
On appeal obtained affirmance in client's favor as against individual defendants, reversal as to corporate defendant)
Icard v. Henderson, 455 So.2d 417 (Fla. 2d DCA 1984)
On appeal obtained reversal in part and affirmance in part, both in client's favor
Revels Ford Tractor Co., Inc. v. Meares, 419 So.2d 1190 (Fla. 2d DCA 1982)
On appeal obtained reversal for client at Florida 2nd District Court of Appeal
Miley v. Miley, 402 So.2d 557 (Fla. 2d DCA 1981)
On appeal obtained reversal for client at Florida 2nd District Court of Appeal
Hall Truck Sales, Inc. v. Wilder Mobile Homes, Inc., 402 So.2d 1299 (Fla. 2d DCA 1981)
On appeal obtained reversal for client at Florida 2nd District Court of Appeal
Kent v. Connecticut Bank and Trust Co. NA, 386 So.2d 902 (Fla. 2d DCA 1980)
On appeal obtained reversal for client at Florida 2nd District Court of Appeal
Williams v. Feather Sound, Inc., 386 So.2d 1238 (Fla. 2d DCA 1980)
On appeal obtained reversal for client at Florida 2nd District Court of Appeal
Education
1979
University of Florida, Fredric G. Levin College of Law
JD - Juris Doctor with honors
Speaking Engagements
2007
Annual Florida Bar Convention
Florida Homestead Exemption Law (Eric Ruff wrote the speech; it was delivered by Atty. Lisa Cohen)
2006
Jacksonville Bankruptcy Bar Association Annual Meeting
Florida Exemption Law (Eric Ruff wrote the speech; it was delivered by Atty. Lisa Cohen)
2005
Jacksonville Bankruptcy Bar Association Annual Meeting
Means Testing Under BAPCPA (Eric Ruff wrote the speech; it was delivered by Atty. Lisa Cohen)
1994
Florida Northern District Bankruptcy Bar Assn. Annual Meeting
Dischargeability of Tax Debts in Bankruptcy (Eric Ruff wrote the speech; it was delivered by Atty. Lisa Cohen)
Publications
2013
2009
1977
Bulletin of the Jacksonville Bar Association
Drunk Drivers Collide With Punitive Damages
Languages
English
Activity
Legal Answers