Founder, Lead Trial Attorney
202-417-6553
Walter.Ruiz@WRuizLaw.com
For over 27 years Walter Ruiz has been an elite advocate, fierce defender, and a voice for the oppressed in times of trouble. Mr. Ruiz thrives under pressure and has amassed a demonstrated record of excellent results in state, federal and military courts.
Mr. Ruiz began his career as a defense counsel with the United States Navy’s Judge Advocate General where during he attained the remarkable record for the most acquittals in the Southeastern United States.
Upon leaving active-duty, Mr. Ruiz chose to continue to hone his trial skills with the State Public Defender’s Office in Orlando, where he quickly became the youngest member of the Major Crimes unit. This high stakes, high tempo unit was responsible for the defense in death prosecutions and major felonies. Mr. Ruiz later worked as a Federal Public Defender successfully representing clients targeted and charged in prosecutions in Federal Court.
Outside the courtroom, Mr. Ruiz is a talented communicator, adept at developing and implementing strategic communication plans to engage with the media and the public in high visibility cases. He thus understands well the nuances and intricacies of speaking publicly about a client’s case when necessary, and the many factors that contribute to effective public messaging.
Mr. Ruiz has spoken before international bodies including the European Parliament, the United Nations Working Group Against Arbitrary Detention, the United Nations Committee Against Torture, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, the International Commission of Jurists and the World Organization Against Torture. He has presented for various legal associations including the Florida Public Defender’s Association, the Broward County Bar Association, the New York Bar Association and the New York Civil Liberties Union.
Mr. Ruiz’s work has been featured on 60 minutes, Front Line, Fox News, CNN, PBS, Politico, Rolling Stone, LA Times, NY Times, Washington Post, The Guardian, Law Dragon, U.S. News and World Report, American Magazine, Reuters, Pro Publica, Miami Herald, Orlando Sentinel, Al Jazeera, Bloomberg, Wall street Journal, The Nation, Truth Out, American Forces Press, Huffington Post, Law Fare, The Christian Science Monitor, Toronto Star, The Inquisitr, Russia free Press, National Public Radio, and Amnesty International.
Mr. Ruiz is a sought-after instructor for trial skills and litigation. He was personally selected to teach trial litigation skills to military personnel in Colombia and Mexico. He trained host country prosecutors, defense attorneys, judges, police officers, in advocacy, trial skills, human rights, and rule of law principles.
Mr. Ruiz continued his career as a U.S. Navy Reservist, attaining the rank of Commander. He is often called upon to represent the Navy in high-profile cases, involving the misconduct of senior military officers facing dismissal proceedings for misconduct, including major incidents such as the collision of the USS McCain and USS Fitzgerald that resulted in the deaths of 17 sailors.
