Attorney Matthew Mitchell is a native of Volusia County, having been born and raised in Ormond Beach. After graduating with the highest honors from Seabreeze High School in Daytona Beach, Matthew went on to attend the University of Florida. Mr. Mitchell graduated with honors from UF in 2004, where he dual majored in Political Science and Criminology. In 2008, Matthew earned his Juris Doctorate from The Florida State University College of Law. Mr. Mitchell first joined Rue & Ziffra in October of 2008 and became a shareholder with the firm in January of 2019. With his practice now focused exclusively on first and third-party personal injury matters, Mr. Mitchell is committed to aggressively advocating for the rights of his injured clients and their families. Ever mindful of the needs of his clients, Mr. Mitchell believes in an individualized approach to each case, for which the ultimate goal is to achieve an outcome that is most favorable for the injured. As a detail-oriented lawyer, Mr. Mitchell is responsive to his clients and thoroughly prepares each case from its inception up to and through its resolution. Mr. Mitchell has recovered millions of dollars on behalf of those injured and wronged by others and insurance companies. In addition to being admitted to the Florida Bar Association and all Florida State Courts, Mr. Mitchell presently holds memberships with the Volusia County Bar Association, the Florida Justice Association, the American Association for Justice, and the Trial Lawyers Section of the Florida Bar. He is also admitted to practice in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida. When away from the office, Mr. Mitchell devotes much of his free time to boating, fishing, and spending time with family and friends. Mr. Mitchell is an avid supporter of the University of Florida Athletic Association, and you can frequently find him attending Gators sporting events.

Attorney Edward Rue joined Rue and Ziffra’s team of attorneys in 2006 and was announced as a partner in 2012. Mr. Rue concentrates his practice in several different areas, from auto accident cases to long-term disability to numerous general personal injury matters. Along with being a member of our trial team, Ed is one of the firm’s top researchers for cases. Before coming to Rue & Ziffra, Mr. Rue practiced criminal and insurance defense. He understands how insurance companies and defense attorneys evaluate and defend cases, and he uses that knowledge and experience to the advantage of his current clients. As a top law student at the University of Wisconsin Law School, Mr. Rue won the Wisconsin State Bar Law School Award for the Highest Achievement in Torts. Also, as a member of the Wisconsin Law Review, Mr. Rue won the William Herbert Page Award for the best Wisconsin Law Review article. Mr. Rue presently holds admissions in the Florida Bar Association, all Florida Courts, the Wisconsin Bar, all Wisconsin Courts, the Volusia County Bar Association, the American Bar Association, the Florida Justice Association, the American Association for Justice, and the National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives. He is also admitted to practice in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida. Having watched a close family member go through the process of applying for disability benefits, he knows it can be a long, complicated, and frustrating process. Mr. Rue applies that personal understanding to every disability case he handles throughout his career. His experience doesn’t stop there, as Mr. Rue handles slip and fall cases, premise liability cases, and has fought for justice for hundreds of auto accident victims. Clients find it easy to speak with Mr. Rue as he is a welcoming person and goes the extra mile for his clients.

Born and raised in Port Orange, Florida, Attorney Garrett Morrison has devoted his legal career to standing up for accident victims and challenging powerful insurance companies. His deep roots in the community and firsthand experience with the hardships families face after serious accidents drive his commitment to helping others navigate the complex world of personal injury law. After graduating from Spruce Creek High School, Garrett earned his Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Florida. During his time at UF, a life-changing event occurred when his mother was severely injured in a motorcycle accident caused by a driver who ran a red light. Despite the other driver admitting fault, the insurance company relentlessly contested her claim. Witnessing his mother’s struggle inspired Garrett to pursue a legal career dedicated to protecting the rights of the injured and holding insurers accountable. Garrett went on to earn his Juris Doctor from Stetson University College of Law in Gulfport, Florida, where he attended on a scholarship. While in law school, he gained valuable experience interning with Rue & Ziffra during both summers, working alongside experienced attorneys who shared his passion for client advocacy and justice. Today, Garrett is committed to fighting for those who have been wronged. He approaches every case with compassion, determination, and an unwavering belief that injured clients deserve to be treated with dignity and fairness. When he’s not advocating for his clients, Garrett enjoys fishing, spending time in nature, working out, cooking, and gardening. Whether in the courtroom or outdoors, he brings patience, focus, and perseverance to everything he does—qualities that also define his approach to representing his clients.

I have been representing employees and employers in work related issues for more than 20 years. I have litigated cases in state and federal trial and appellate courts, as well as before numerous administrative agencies, including the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Florida Commission on Human Relations, the Florida Department of Administrative Hearings, the National Labor Relations Board and civil service boards in numerous cities, counties and law enforcement agencies in Florida. I am licensed to practice before the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals and the U. S. Supreme Court, as well as federal trial courts in Florida. I have handled a wide variety of employment law cases, including those involving discrimination based on age, race, disability, gender, national origin, sexual harassment, retaliation, medical leave disputes, minimum wage and overtime issues, and non-compete agreements. I have drafted employee handbooks, employment agreements, and have litigated non-compete cases. I have counseled both employees and employers on all types of workplace disputes, including those involving discipline and termination. I served as the Legislative Chair for the Volusia chapter of the Society for Human Resource Management, and have lobbied for work related legislation in Tallahassee. I have represented large corporations and small businesses, as well as individual employees. I have represented employees and employers for various government agencies, including local school districts, cities and counties, and universities. My goal is to provide the highest quality representation at a reasonable cost.

China Ikpeama received his Bachelor of Arts degree from The Columbia College-Chicago. During the course of his studies Mr. Ikpeama realized Columbia College was an excellent school, but not too far from campus in downtown Chicago was a homeless shelter with many people with many needs. Mr. Ikpeama made brown bag lunch packs and distributed them freely. Mr. Ikpeama then worked for the Circuit Court Clerk of the City of St. Louis Missouri and soon after, attended Florida A&M University College of Law where he earned his J.D.. While at Florida A&M University College of Law, he participated in the Housing Clinic by providing legal advice to citizens in the community who could not afford legal representation. After earning his law degree, attorney Ikpeama served his community by working as a prosecutor for the Office of the State Attorney in downtown Orlando. Today, attorney Ikpeama continues to serve his community by volunteering at The Coalition for the Homeless in downtown Orlando. The reoccurring theme in Mr. Ikpeama's life has been to attend to the needs of those around him by serving his community and the public interest. Attorney Ikpeama believes that there is a binding relationship between law and society, and that the work of the legal profession is inherently related to the public. Inspired by Justice Louis Brandeis, and his desire to help improve the everyday life of men and women, Mr. Ikpeama founded The United Law Firm. We are dedicated to defending you and defending your interests...it's about you, it's about us, United...You and Us.