COMMISSION & STAFF
Woody Rodriguez, Staff Counsel

Diego "Woody" Rodriguez practices in the areas of commercial litigation, land use and representation of governmental entities, with an emphasis in elections law and eminent domain. Upon his graduation from the Florida State College of Law, Mr. Rodriguez worked as a Legislative Analyst for the Senate Committee on Regulated Industries drafting legislation on issues pertinent to the Department of Business and Professional Regulations.

Beginning in 2000, Mr. Rodriguez returned to the public sector as an Assistant County Attorney with the Orange County Attorney's Office. There he represented Orange County in general civil litigation matters with a concentration on civil right claims, condemnation actions, contractual disputes and land use issues.

In 2001, Mr. Rodriguez was lead counsel for the Orange County Redistricting Advisory Committee. Since 2002, Mr. Rodriguez has served as legal advisor to the Orange County Canvassing Board and general counsel to the Orange County Supervisor of Elections Office. He and his firm also represent the Orange County Property Appraiser's Office in general litigation matters. Mr. Rodriguez is admitted to practice in the state of Florida. In federal court, he is admitted to practice in the Northern, Middle and Southern Districts of Florida.

Mr. Rodriguez currently is a member of the Board of Governors for the Florida Bar Young Lawyers Division and also serves on the Statewide Nominating Commission for Judges of Compensation Claims. Since 2002, he has served as an associate board member for Florida Citrus Sports. In 2004-05 he served as President of the Young Lawyers' Section of the Orange County Bar Association. In 2003-04, he was appointed as the National Diversity Director for the American Bar Association's Young Lawyers Division. In 2002, he served as President of the Hispanic Bar Association of Central Florida. In 2005, Mr. Rodriguez received the Florida Bar Young Lawyers' Division Diversity and Gender Sensitivity Award presented annually to a person or entity that demonstrates the highest morality and respect for all persons and diversity, for efforts and allegiance to creating diversity, and for promoting a more diverse workplace. In 2004, Mr. Rodriguez received the ABA's Star of the Year Award presented for outstanding achievement, contributions and service to the ABA Young Lawyers Division. In 2002, the Florida Bar recognized Mr. Rodriguez with the Lynn Futch Most Productive Young Lawyer Award which honors one young lawyer in Florida for outstanding community and bar leadership, legal skills, and integrity.

Mr. Rodriguez has a wife, Heather Pinder Rodriguez, and a three year old daughter Ella Grace. Mr. Rodriguez and his family are members of First Presbyterian Church of Orlando.