Ryan is a seasoned litigator with an eye for innovation, adept at handling complex commercial litigation, class actions, and high-stakes investigations. He frequently represents businesses and individuals in their most critical legal matters, blending experience, intelligent aggression, and a thoughtful understanding of each client's unique needs to create bespoke litigation strategies.

At every stage of litigation, Ryan focuses on positioning his clients to win trials, and he has won verdicts in state and federal courts across the country. Though not every case sees a jury, Ryan’s experience and preparation empowers clients to negotiate confidently, knowing that they are poised to go the distance, ultimately leading to the best possible resolution.

  

A native of Williamson, West Virginia, Ryan earned a degree in Government from Harvard University and his J.D., Order of the Coif, from the West Virginia University College of Law. Following law school, Ryan served as a law clerk to the Hon. Robert B. King of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, and the Hon. John T. Copenhaver of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia.

  

Representative Matters

• Served as lead trial counsel for prevailing candidate in groundbreaking judicial election contest and resulting appeal to the West Virginia Supreme Court.

• Obtained complete dismissal of shareholder derivative claims brought against non-profit land trust, including victory on certified questions to the West Virginia Supreme Court.

• Represented one of the largest timberland management companies in the U.S. in a dispute over the right to develop more than $175 million in carbon sequestration credits; on the eve of trial, the client’s assets were purchased for more than $1.8 billion.

• Achieved more than $100 million in verdicts and settlements for individuals and class members asserting claims under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act.

• Obtained injunctive relief in federal court to halt unlawful Title IX proceedings against a student respondent, resulting in dismissal of underlying complaint.

• Represented publicly-traded manufacturer in hundreds of product liability cases, resulting in favorable settlements.

• For the defendant, won dismissal of multiple class action suits arising from a warehouse fire in an urban area. 

• Obtained dismissal, for nuisance value, of claims against trucking freight broker in wrongful death suit.

  

Admissions

• West Virginia

• Kentucky

• U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit

• U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit

• U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia

• U.S. District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia

• U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky

• U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan

  

Professional Background

• Bailey & Glasser, LLP, Charleston, WV.

• Law Clerk- Hon. Robert B. King, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit.

• Law Clerk- Hon. John T. Copenhaver, Jr., U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia