Robert R. Biechlin, Jr. “Rusty” (av), born San Antonio, Texas, July 11, 1950; admitted to bar 1975, Texas; also admitted to practice before the U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit; U.S. District Court, Western District of Texas. Preparatory education, Stephen F. Austin State University (B.B.A., 1972); legal education, St. Mary's University School of Law (J.D., 1974, with distinction). Fraternity: Phi Delta Phi; John M. Harlan Society (honorary). Member: State Bar of Texas; Defense Research Institute; Texas Association of Defense Counsel; William S. Sessions Inns of Court; Fellow, Texas and San Antonio Bar Foundation; Advocate, American Board of Trial Advocates; San Antonio Bar Association (Director 2010-2012); Medical-Legal Liaison Committee (Legal Chairman, 2003-04).
Rusty is a San Antonio native who has been practicing with the firm, first as an associate and then as a partner, since graduating first in his class from law school in December, 1974. He has handled and tried a wide variety of cases in the ensuing 35 years. These include automobile, truck, premises and products liability, consumer claims, defamation, health care liability, legal malpractice, and construction accident cases.
Rusty is head of the firm’s Health Law Section, and in that capacity he has litigated hundreds of health care liability lawsuits, with a trial success rate of better than 95%. While continuing to carry a healthcare docket, he handles construction, products liability and general liability lawsuits for several of the firm’s clients, among them Black & Decker and McCombs Enterprises. This broad experience uniquely qualifies him to solve a wide variety of legal problems.
Certified in 2007 by the Dispute Resolution Center in Austin, Texas, Rusty is also well qualified as a mediator. With his broad litigation background, he brings in-the-trenches experience to the dispute resolution process.
He has been recognized by his peers as a Texas Super Lawyer®, Best Lawyers in America®, and Best Lawyers in San Antonio. By virtue of his trial experience, he was invited to join the American Board of Trial Advocates where he holds the rank of Advocate.
Rusty is married to the former Janet Swanson, whom he has known since high school. They have one daughter. He enjoys golf, reading, and plinking on his collection of acoustic guitars. He is a member of the Board of Directors of the San Antonio Bar Association and is a life member of both the San Antonio and Texas Bar Foundations. He has been a member of the Board of Directors and is currently on the advisory board of the Christ Healing Center in San Antonio. He and Janet are active members of St. Thomas Episcopal Church, where he has served on the vestry, as Senior Warden, and Chairman of the Board of St. Thomas Episcopal School.