Steve Ecenia, Building a Legacy of Advocacy in Healthcare

In the heart of Tallahassee’s healthcare sector, Steve Ecenia (’80) stands as a pillar of experience and advocacy in administrative and health law, boasting over four decades of experience. His career has not only shaped the healthcare landscape but also built a legacy of mentorship and service. 

"I felt like I was an advocate from a young age," Ecenia recalls a sentiment that fueled his passion for law. “Coming to FSU was truly fateful because a lot of the success in my life resulted in my decision to go to law school at FSU.” 

After completing his undergraduate studies at the University of Florida, Ecenia chose Florida State University College of Law for its unique blend of academic rigor and access to Florida’s state government, which would later prove vital in his career. During his time at FSU, he was a member of the Moot Court team and formed connections that would shape his professional future. 

After graduation, Ecenia's legal career began in the Florida House of Representatives, working under the Speaker of the House. This position gave him invaluable insight into how law and policy intersect, laying the foundation for his future in healthcare law. In 1992, he became one of the founders of the firm known as Rutledge, Ecenia, Underwood & Purnell, which focused on healthcare clients. Today, as a founding principal and president of Rutledge Ecenia, P.A., the firm represents a wide array of healthcare entities, from hospitals to health plans, hospice providers, and physicians, guiding them through the complexities of health law. 

Ecenia attributes his success to his parents, who instilled a sense of drive and hard work, and the attorneys early in his career, who helped him along the way. “They were great mentors to me, and I, in turn, try to mentor other young lawyers,” he said.  

His career has not just been about legal victories; it has also been about fostering change and supporting those who need effective legal guidance in the health sector. “The best part of my work is the relationships I’ve developed with my clients,” said Ecenia. “I'm not just a lawyer; I’m an advisor and partner in their business strategy.” 

Throughout his career, he has represented a wide array of clients in the Division of Administrative Hearings, Circuit Court, the District Courts of Appeal, and the Supreme Court of Florida on matters ranging from the constitutionality of state statutes to complex commercial and administrative disputes. He has also served as General Counsel to the Florida Birth-Related Neurological Injury Compensation Association and the Florida Association of Nurse Anesthesiology. His professional accomplishments have earned him numerous recognitions as a Florida Super Lawyer in healthcare law and inclusion in Florida Trend’s Legal Elite, accolades he values but sees as secondary to the lasting relationships he has built with clients and colleagues. 

Outside the courtroom, Ecenia is deeply committed to community service. He served as president of the Capital Cultural Commission and on the executive committee of the Board of the Brogan Museum of Art and Science. One of his most meaningful pursuits is his current involvement with the Grapes for Humanity Global Foundation, an international not-for-profit organization whose primary mission is to provide prostheses to victims of landmines and natural disasters around the world. 

“It’s amazing to tie my love of wine to something that benefits others,” he shares. Through this foundation, he has contributed to causes worldwide, from supporting schools in Cambodia to assisting people in Ukraine and Haiti. “It’s wonderful to make a positive impact on so many lives.” 

Ecenia's commitment to service and mentorship extends to his personal life as well. He enjoys spending time with his wife, daughter, and twin grandsons, and in his free time, he enjoys golf and cycling. Through his work in law, his commitment to healthcare reform, and his involvement in global humanitarian efforts, Ecenia is building a legacy that will resonate for generations to come.