Lazaro Rodriguez began his legal career at Walton Lantaff as a law clerk in 1997, later rising to lead one of the firm’s largest litigation defense groups - overseeing a dynamic team comprised of attorneys, paralegals, and legal professionals - and to his current role as Senior Partner. Mr. Rodriguez earned two degrees - a Bachelor of Arts and an accelerated Master of Business - from Florida International University, before completing his Juris Doctor at The George Washington University Law School in Washington, D.C. There, he sharpened his negotiation skills in a consumer mediation clinic, providing *pro bono* support to community members in need. During his time in the capital, he also attended a number of lectures hosted by key legal and political figureheads, bolstering his fascination with the law early on.
Mr. Rodriguez practices litigation in jurisdictions across Florida, with experience spanning civil, commercial and insurance defense matters, in addition to administrative actions before the Department of Health. His core focus lies in workers’ compensation and insurance defense, with sub-specializations in 1st & 3rd-party property, bodily injury, bad faith, professional & premise liability, and automobile negligence matters. Further, Mr. Rodriguez possesses ample experience handling cases from pre-suit through trial. Born in Puerto Rico to Cuban parents, Mr. Rodriguez is bilingual in Spanish and English.
Mr. Rodriguez’s legal journey has been influenced by three key role models: a family friend whose courtroom stature inspired his initial interest in law; his business-savvy father, whose example helped shape his leadership philosophy; and a professional mentor, who guided Mr. Rodriguez through the nuances of the legal profession. As for his own influence, Mr. Rodriguez emerged a respected leader, lifelong learner and devoted mentor, deeply committed to investing his time in the development of new attorneys. His leadership is most defined by his generosity of knowledge, patient consistency and long-term vision. He draws additional inspiration from golf champion Scottie Scheffler’s balance-driven philosophy, intentionally prioritizing his family, character and quiet confidence over professional ego, a testament to his principled identity in and out of the courtroom. Outside the office, you can find Mr. Rodriguez rooting for the Yankees or enjoying time with his wife, Nancy, and their three sons, Sebastian, Michael and Joseph.
As your attorney, Mr. Rodriguez brings rigorous preparation, cool confidence and unshakeable focus to the pursuit of successful outcomes. Equipped with the mindset of a coach and the clarity of a leader, Mr. Rodriguez combines relational depth with strategic growth, reinforced by his dueling legal and business acumen. Guided by his steadfast values and his belief in paying it forward, Mr. Rodriguez is a dependable and devoted partner, in the courtroom and across the firm.
News & Insights
August 14, 2024
Beware of the Danger Ahead: Preventing and Properly Defending Against Waivers of Worker’s Compensation Immunity
Speaking Engagements
•Regular presenter at the WLSC Firm Seminars on various topics in the fields of Civil Litigation and Insurance Defense, including many of the legal sub-areas referenced herein.
