Adam L. Appel

Partner

In 1990, Adam began his career working for one of Atlanta’s premier insurance defense law firms. During his 24 years at that firm, Adam defended nursing homes, trucking companies, commercial establishments, drivers involved in auto accidents, business owners, contractors, doctors, and individuals through various types of litigation and at trial. After eight years as an associate, Adam was elected by his peers as a partner in the law firm.  He developed a substantial book of insurance defense work, gaining the respect of several insurance companies to handle their work throughout the state of Georgia.  After more than two decades at insurance defense law firms, Adam decided the time was right to start his own law practice with Kim Ruder and Stephen Dermer.

Stephen, Adam, and Kim have very similar backgrounds, in that they all worked for insurance defense firms before creating Dermer Appel Ruder, LLC.  Their goal in starting Dermer Appel Ruder, LLC was to help more individuals in times of need.  Having an insurance defense litigation background gives our Plaintiff clients an advantage.  As a partner with the insurance defense law firm, Adam interacted with insurance claims professionals and claims executives on a regular basis, gaining significant insight into how insurance companies evaluate cases and make decisions on defending and resolving cases.  Through these interactions and handling complex cases involving serious injuries, Adam gained insightful information regarding what motivates insurance companies to resolve cases. Dermer Appel Ruder, LLC’s lawyers know what buttons to push.  Working for a premier insurance defense firm was excellent training for preparing and trying lawsuits.  Adam’s experience with the insurance defense industry was pivotal in the development of Dermer Appel Ruder, LLC’s practice representing individuals in personal injury litigation.

In 2016, Stephen, Adam, and Kim formed a partnership by combining their years of litigation experience and depth of knowledge of the insurance defense industry with the goal of representing injured persons against individuals and corporations. We will put our vast experiences to work for our personal injury clients to achieve the best results, whether through early resolution or trial.

Adam has achieved an AV Preeminent rating by Martindale-Hubbell and has consistently been named to the peer-nominated Super Lawyers list of distinguished lawyers in Georgia.

A native of Atlanta, Adam is a graduate of the University of Georgia and the Walter F. George School of Law at Mercer University in Macon, Georgia.

Adam lives in Atlanta with his wife, Mindy, and their three children.

Professional Awards and Recognition

• Listed in Super Lawyers for nine years: 2009 – 2013; 2017 -2021

Education and Associations

• University of Georgia, B.S., Psychology
• Mercer University – Walter F. George School of Law, J.D.
• Atlanta Bar Association
• Atlanta Lawyers Club
• Named Super Lawyer by Georgia Super Lawyer magazine: 2009 – 2013; 2017 -2021
• AV Peer Review Rated by Martindale Hubbell

Bar Associations

• State Bar of Georgia
• Supreme Court of Georgia
• Georgia Court of Appeals
• U.S. District Court, Northern District of Georgia
• U.S. District Court, Middle District of Georgia
• U.S. District Court, Southern District of Georgia
• United States Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit
• United States Supreme Court

Awards