Alyssa A. Ruge

Alyssa was a Florida Academic Scholar and earned her B.A. degree in Political Science from the University of South Florida where she graduated magna cum laude and was a member of the Golden Key National Honor Society, the National Dean's List, and the National Society of Collegiate Scholars.

Alyssa received her law degree from Stetson University College of Law and was a Senior Associate of the Stetson Law Review. She was also awarded a Certificate of Concentration in Trial Advocacy. Alyssa completed an internship with the United States Department of Justice. She also served as a certified intern for the Office of the State Attorney for the 13th Judicial Circuit of Florida.

Following her admission to the Florida Bar, Alyssa joined the law firm of Cole, Scott & Kissane, P.A. There, she practiced in the areas of civil litigation and appeals. Alyssa also served as Assistant County Attorney for Pasco County, Florida.

Alyssa handles appeals in all areas of civil practice, including tort liability, professional malpractice, insurance coverage, and family law matters. Alyssa has handled appeals in the Supreme Court of Florida, and the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 5th District Court of Appeal.  She has also served as Amicus Curiae counsel. 

Alyssa also handles personal injury cases, including car accidents, medical malpractice cases, catastrophic injury and wrongful death cases, spinal cord injury cases, along with family law and domestic violence cases.

Alyssa co-authored an article that was published in the Florida Bar Journal (April 2004), entitled "Most Unlikely to Succeed: Substantive Due Process Claims Against Local Governments Applying Land Use Restrictions."  Alyssa served on the Florida Bar Journal's Editorial Board from 2005-2008.  Alyssa is admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of Florida and is a member of the American Association for Justice (formerly ATLA), the Hillsborough County Bar Association, the West Pasco Bar Association, the Appellate Practice section & the Family Law section of the Florida Bar.

In 2006, Alyssa was selected by her peers as one of 102 up-and-coming attorneys in Florida and was listed in the Florida Legal Elite section of Florida Trend Magazine.  Alyssa also served as an adjunct professor at Hillsborough Community College, teaching legal research and writing.

Stetson University College of Law awarded Alyssa the William F. Blews Service Award for her commitment to community service. Alyssa is a supporting member of the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center (n/k/a The David A. Straz Jr. Center for the Performing Arts).  She is an honorary member of the Florida Sheriffs Association and a longtime supporter of the Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches.