Attorney Profiles

The Legal Team Committed to Your Success

At The Law Offices of William C. Ruggiero, we pride ourselves on delivering personalized, results-driven legal representation. With a focus on accident cases, our attorneys bring years of experience, dedication, and compassion to every client they serve. Meet the board certified legal minds behind our success: William Ruggiero and Vanessa Lagios.

Our team, led by William Ruggiero and Vanessa Lagios, specializes in accident and personal injury law. We have built a reputation for achieving results by prioritizing our clients’ needs and relentlessly pursuing justice on their behalf. Whether you are seeking compensation after a motor vehicle accident, or holding a negligent party accountable, you can count on us to stand by your side.

At The Law Offices of William C. Ruggiero, we are more than just your attorneys—we are your advocates, allies, and champions in the pursuit of justice. Explore the profiles of our legal team to learn more about the individuals committed to securing the best outcomes for your case.

William C. Ruggiero

Practice Areas: Personal Injury; Wrongful Death; Products Liability.

Admitted: 1991, Florida; 1993, U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida including Trial Bar; 1995, U.S. Supreme Court; 2004, U.S. District Court, Northern District of Florida.

Board Certifications: Florida Bar Board Certified Civil Trial Specialist since 1998.

Law School: Nova Southeastern University, J.D.

College: Miami Dade College, A.A., 1985; Florida International University, B.S., 1987.

Member: Broward County Bar Association; The Florida Bar; The Association of Trial Lawyers of America; American Trial Lawyers Association (Certified as a Civil Trial Specialist by the National Board of Trial Advocacy); American Board of Trial Advocates (Advocate Member)

Born: Miami, Florida; September 8

Military Service: U.S. Army 1975–1977

Biography: For over 35 years, Mr. Ruggiero has been fighting for his clients and protecting their rights to a trial by jury of their peers. He has tried over 400 jury trials and is one of the most respected litigators in South Florida.Through the years of exemplary practice, Mr. Ruggiero has achieved a prestigious standing in the legal community. Some of professional accomplishments include:
Certified as a Civil Trial Lawyer by the Florida Bar Association (re-certified three times)
Certified as a Civil Trial Specialist by the National Board of Trial Advocacy
AV rated under Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Ratings System for over 20 years
Advocate member of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA)
Florida Super Lawyer, 2011-present
Member, Million Dollar Advocates Forum
Member, The Association of Trial Lawyers of America.
Mr. Ruggiero received his J.D. degree from Nova Southeastern University, where he was a member of the Moot Court Society and Law Review, as well as the recipient of the Book Award in Appellate Practice. Mr. Ruggiero went on to receive an L.L.M in Law at the University of Missouri. He is admitted to practice law in Florida, the Southern District of Florida federal courts, and the United States Supreme Court.

Reported Cases: Watson v. Beckman 695 So.2d 436 (Fla. 3rd DCA 1997); Woodard v. Armenian Cultural Association of America, Inc. 724 So.2d.669 (Fla.4th DCA 1999); Lantigua v. Lopes 696 So.2d 532 (FLA 3rd DCA 1997); Gonzalez v. Star Enterprises 645 So.2d 599 (FLA 3rd DCA 1994); Kmart v. Bracho 776 So.2d 342 (FLA 3rd DCA 2001); Liberty Mutual Insurance Company v. Wolfson 773 So. 2d 1272 (FLA 4th DCA 2000); Nwosu ex rel. Ibraham v. Adler 969 So. 2d 516 (FLA 4th DCA 2007); FedEx Ground Package System v. Futch 944 So. 2d 469 (FLA 3rd DCA 2006)

Vanessa Lagios

Admitted: 2008, Florida; United States District Court, Southern District of Florida

Board Certifications: Florida Bar Board Certified Civil Trial Specialist:

Law School: University of Miami, J.D.

College: Vanderbilt University, B.S.

Member: American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA)

Born: Melbourne, Florida

Biography: Ms. Lagios is a Board Certified Civil Trial Lawyer who has extensive experience representing plaintiffs in personal injury litigation, having handled over 100 jury trials, to date. She is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA), a prestigious national organization that requires its members to be responsible for elevating the standards of integrity, honor, ethics, civility and courtesy in the legal profession. Ms. Lagios graduated with honors from Vanderbilt University, where she received a Bachelors of Science degree and served as captain of the Track & Field team. She received her law degree from the University of Miami School of Law, and has been practicing at the Law Offices of William C. Ruggiero since 2008.