As a partner in one of the largest law firms in North Georgia, Rustin defended insurance companies and large businesses before co-founding Smith Hulsey. He has handled cases in both federal and state courts, appearing in U.S. District Courts and counties throughout Georgia. He has argued before the Supreme Court of Georgia, and litigated appeals in the Georgia Court of Appeals and U.S. Court of Appeals, 11th Circuit. Rustin graduated magna cum laude from the University of Georgia before attending Emory University School of Law, where he was selected for the Dean's List, received the Dean's Award, and was recommended for the Kesler-Eidson Trial Techniques Scholarship. Rustin has served on multiple Hall County nonprofit boards, was elected Gainesville Jaycee of the Year in 2011, and was a member of the 2015 State Bar Young Lawyer's Leadership Academy. Every year since 2018, Rustin's attorney peers have elected him as "Super Lawyer," a distinction reserved for only 2.5% of attorneys in the state. He also was voted onto the Legal Elite list as featured in Georgia Trend Magazine. Rustin is a Lifetime Member of both the Multi-Million and Million Dollar Advocates Forums, credentials awarded by Top Trial Lawyers in America for attorneys serving as principal counsel in recoveries of over $2,000,000 and $1,000,000 from separate cases.