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Terry Joseph Rugg

  • Associate Attorney

Practice Areas:

  • Criminal Defense
  • Estate Planning
  • Elder Law
  • Probate
  • Real Estate and Evictions

Biography

Attorney Terry "T.J." Rugg is a litigation attorney based in his hometown of New Lexington, Ohio as part of the Perry County Office of Saia & Piatt. He earned his Bachelors degree from Capital University where he majored in Accounting. Upon completion of that degree Attorney Rugg went on to get his J.D. from Capital University Law School. Upon admission to the Ohio Bar in 2007, Terry began his career as a litigator focusing mostly on criminal defense. A family member facing certain elder law issues, as well as his background in accounting and tax motivated him to learn and add estate planning, elder law and probate to his areas of practice. Being from a small rural community T.J. recognized the need for these services for many members within the community and wanted to work to serve those in need with proper planning to avoid probate when possible, reduce taxes and ultimately protect assets from any potential Medicaid spend down associated with long term care (nursing home) expenses. T.J. resides in Perry County with his wife and two children. When T.J. is not working he enjoys spending time with his family, especially when sports are involved. He spends a lot of his free time working outdoors taking care of his property; cooking for his family; and on occasion finds time to go golfing.

Education

  • Capital University Law School, Columbus, Ohio
    • J.D. - 2006
  • Capital Univesity, Bexley, Ohio
    • B.A. - 2023
    • Honors: magna cum laude
    • Major: Accounting

Bar Admissions

  • Ohio, 2007

Honors

  • One of the 10 Best Elder Law Attorneys in Ohio, American Institute of Legal Counsel

Professional Associations

  • Ohio State Bar Association, Member, Present
  • Perry County Bar Association, Secretary (Past President), Present
  • Muskegon County Bar Association, Member, Present
  • Ohio Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Member, Present

Past Positions

  • AlerStallings, Associate Attorney , 2013 to 2017
  • Barr Jones , Associate Attorney , 2010 to 2013

Pro-Bono Activities

  • Perry County Legal Clinic, 2008 to Present

Fraternities and Sororities

  • Delta Tau