Select Matters
- RICO and unfair competition case: Recently represented a poultry processing company and its owners in a multi-million dollar dispute with a competitor who made RICO, common law fraud, breach of contract, and breach of fiduciary duty claims. Ryan tried the case as part of the Balch trial team that secured a complete defense verdict and won multiple counterclaims after a three-and-a-half week jury trial.
- Power line litigation: Successfully represented an electrical utility in both the trial and appellate courts after a municipality asked a trial court to require the utility to underground its overhead power lines and do so without receiving payment or reimbursement from the municipality.
- Trade secrets case involving complex software: Defended clients who developed a novel, cutting edge software application against claims of misappropriation of trade secrets, breach of non-compete, and breach of non-solicitation contract provisions while also pursuing counterclaims for tortious interference, misappropriation of trade secrets, and abuse of process.
- Owner's counsel: Represented the owner of one of the first nuclear construction projects in over 30 years against an EPC contractor making claims in excess of one billion dollars.
- Financial services investigation and litigation: Investigated and litigated a multi-million dollar fraud and conversion claim on behalf of a large financial services provider, finding evidence that led to the plaintiff settling and dismissing the case, with prejudice, with no settlement funds changing hands.
- Power Purchase Agreement litigation: Represented an electrical utility and obtained summary judgment against an independent power producer that attempted to attach a multi-million dollar payment for reactive power to a Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)-regulated tariff.
- Nationwide class action: Represented a national healthcare company in multiple nationwide class actions involving breach of contract and fraud claims.
- Wrongful death litigation: Represented an electrical utility and helped secure a summary judgment on a claim brought by the estate of a motorist who crashed into a utility pole.
- HVAC litigation: Represented multiple clients in litigation against a multi-billion dollar HVAC manufacturer, including a commercial builder who had purchased more than 1,200 HVAC products.
News
Speaking Engagements
Credentials
Education
- The University of Alabama School of Law, J.D., 2011, magna cum laude; Alabama Law Review, Articles Editor and Treasurer; Order of the Coif; Jessup Internal Law Moot Court Team; Campbell Moot Court Board
- Furman University, B.A., 2006, Political Science
Courts
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of Alabama
- U.S. District Court, Middle District of Alabama
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of Alabama
Bar Admissions
- Alabama, 2011
Professional Affiliations
- Alabama Defense Lawyers Association
- DRI - Lawyers Representing Business
- Birmingham Bar Association
Awards & Accolades
- The Best Lawyers in America®, Ones to Watch
- Birmingham Business Journal, Rising Star Lawyer, 2017
- Mid-South Super Lawyers, Rising Star, 2017 - present
- Lanier, Ford, Shaver & Payne Intellectual Property Award
- Best Written Brief, Jessup Moot Court Competition, South Super Regional
Clerkships
- U.S. District Court, Middle District of Alabama