Rusty Watts

Richard “Rusty” A. Watts is a seasoned Swift Currie partner with over 30 years of experience in workers’ compensation and liability defense. His clients include construction companies, school districts, educational institutions, supermarkets, school board associations and insurance companies.

Rusty has tried more than 100 cases over the years. He previously worked as a claimants’ attorney, which gives him the ability to think about strategy from the perspective of both sides of a case.

Rusty has extensive experience working closely with the State Board of Workers' Compensation. He is also an avid public speaker who has given presentations to the Southern Association of Workers' Compensation Administrators, the State Board of Workers' Compensation and the International Association of Industrial Accident Boards and Commissions.

When he is not representing his clients, Rusty contributes to legal education by working as a part-time instructor at Georgia State University College of Law and the Department of Risk Management & Insurance. He has also served on the Dean’s Board of Visitors at Walter F. George School of Law at Mercer University and previously served as the president of the school’s alumni board of directors.

Awards/Recognitions

• AV Preeminent^® Rating, Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review
• Georgia Super Lawyer Rising Star, 2005
• The Best Lawyers in America©, 2025
• Young Lawyers Forum Pakistan Lecture Appreciation Award, 2025

Memberships

• State Bar of Georgia

Interests

Rusty enjoys playing golf in his free time, so much so that he served on the board of directors at a local golf club. He also likes to swim and enjoys watching his son swim as well.

Speaking Engagements

Publications