Company

Rutter Mills’ legacy began in 1959. Since then, we have helped thousands of people get the justice they deserve.

C. Arthur Rutter, Jr., father to Brother Rutter, was raised in humble beginnings here in Norfolk. First in the family to graduate college, Arthur goes on to get his law degree from the University of Virginia. When he begins practicing law, his focus turns to injury and maritime law.

Arthur went on to hold the same position his son would later hold as the President of the Maritime Law Association. During his time practicing law, he won precedent-setting verdicts and was considered an expert in both maritime and injury law.

In1994, Arthur’s son,  C. Arthur “Brother” Rutter III finished law school at the University of Richmond, graduating first in his class.

Brother joined Rutter Mills with a new vision for the firm and a passion for practicing law. He set out to develop new strategies for advertising and marketing, and develop new methods for elevating client experience.

It was this passion and energy that helped transform Rutter Mills into the efficient, client-centric, and award-winning firm that stands today.

Just 3 years out of law school, Brother earns the first $1M fee for Rutter Mills.

His skills as a litigator are honed early, and the young lawyer took on cases across the country against rail and maritime companies on behalf of victims of catastrophic injuries.

Brother Rutter’s career is skyrocketing. In 1998, he secures a $25M verdict for clients.

Brother’s first of many multi-million dollar cases came from a verdict handed down by a Federal Court in Charleston, SC. His success earns him national recognition as being one of the top personal injury lawyers in the country.

A former bank building in downtown Norfolk, renamed the Rutter Mills Law Building in 2003. With the new location came the launching of a new era for the company with Brother Rutter at the helm. 

The historic former bank building located on the corner of West Brambleton Ave. and Boush Street is complete with multiple meeting rooms, a gorgeous two-story lobby and most importantly, plenty of room to expand the team.

The iconic new home in the Neon district of Norfolk meant the firm could expand it’s practice areas, hire more attorneys and the necessary support teams. Brother’s vision included adding in-house investigators, litigators, and lien resolution experts.

The firm’s name is shortened from Rutter, Walsh, Mills, & Rutter to Rutter Mills LLP.

The Rutter Family Art Foundation is established to help make the arts more attainable to everyone.

Brother and wife, Meredith are passionate supporters of the arts. As members of several art and museum boards, including the Chrysler Museum and the National Gallery in Washington D.C., and being philanthropists at heart, Brother and Meredith help bring art and education into underserved communities and hospitals. They donate gallery space in their “Texaco” building in Norfolk to up and coming artists and loan pieces from their collection to museums. Their influence and support helps further careers of emerging artists.

Rutter Mills moves to all virtual appointments and client services in response to COVID 19. Always Ahead Of The Curve, Brother’s foresight enabled the firm to continue helping clients during the pandemic. 

In preparation for remote work environments, Rutter Mills invested in the technology and software that empowered staff to continue to serve our community throughout the pandemic. Brother’s commitment to both his clients and employees is evident by the financial investment made to enable remote work.

We kept people working in Hampton Roads when other firms closed their doors.

Adam H. Lotkin is named as partner and Litigation Manager at Rutter Mills. 

Adam’s skills as a trial attorney and award-winning verdicts and settlements continue to put Rutter Mills among the top personal injury firms in Hamp[ton Roads and nationwide. His passion for the law and for getting justice means he works tirelessly to ensure his clients voices are heard and their cases get the respect and attention they deserve. Mr. Lotkin instills this same passion and dedication to the next generation of lawyers in his role as Partner and Litigation Manager. He is a natural leader and mentor who is sought after to teach CLE classes for other attorneys in Virginia.

In 2023, partners Brother Rutter and Adam H. Lotkin lead a team of powerhouse attorneys into the next generation of client service and success.

Under the expert leadership of the firm’s partners, Rutter Mills supports attorney teams in personal injury, maritime law, and workers compensation cases using the latest technology. With the installation of a new client software system, this investment helps keep cases progressing and makes communications easier. Together, we are helping injured people across Virginia and North Carolina get the money they need justice they deserve.

2024 is the year for growth at Rutter Mills with an addition to our Norfolk location, a new office in Virginia Beach and four experienced trial lawyers joining our team.

To better serve the Hampton Roads community, Rutter Mills will be opening a Virginia Beach office on Holland Road near Towne Center. We also opened a new workspace in the Norfolk location referred to as “the Backyard.” Brother Rutter gathered the area’s top architects and designers to create a comfortable place for employees to work that offers some of the creature comforts of home and encourages creativity and collaborative thinking. It is complete with outdoor furniture, firepits, a kitchen, and additional collaboration rooms.