White Collar: Ryan represents individuals and corporations charged with and under investigation for federal and state crimes. He frequently interfaces with the Department of Justice, US Attorneys’ Offices, state attorneys general, county prosecutors’ offices, and district attorneys’ offices on behalf of his clients. Ryan also helps clients navigate enforcement matters before federal and state regulatory agencies such as FDIC, SEC, FINRA, FDIC, and state licensing boards, such as boards of health, nursing, pharmacy, and education. His practice includes overseeing internal investigations for corporate and governmental clients to identify and confine possible misconduct, mitigate its impact, and help deter its recurrence. Ryan also maintains a niche juvenile defense practice, representing juveniles and their families in response to criminal complaints, juvenile waiver petitions, and adjudications of delinquency.
Cannabis: Ryan has an active cannabis practice where he advises clients on a range of issues present in the developing cannabis industry. He regularly counsels clients on license applications to cultivate, manufacture, and dispense medical and adult-use cannabis, and provides regulatory and compliance guidance for established cannabis operators. Ryan leans on his prosecutorial experience to provide guidance to cannabis industry businesses with respect to federal anti-drug, anti-money laundering, and banking laws. He has recently been named to InsiderNJ’s Cannabis Power 50 List at #26. Ryan also brings his industry knowledge to the classroom, previously serving as an adjunct professor in Rutgers Law School’s Certificate in Cannabis Law and Business program for cannabis entrepreneurs.
Commercial Litigation: Ryan has substantial trial and courtroom experience and has litigated a wide range of civil matters in both federal and state courts. Ryan is uniquely experienced in managing parallel proceedings that may include simultaneous civil, regulatory, and criminal components. He approaches these matters with careful coordination to ensure that actions taken in one forum do not adversely affect outcomes in the others. As a business-minded litigator, Ryan views litigation as a tool—used when necessary, but not as the default. He works with clients to assess risk, cost, and broader business objectives before pursuing or responding to legal action. His goal is to identify practical, strategic resolutions that align with his clients’ long-term interests and minimize disruption to their operations.
Cyber: Ryan also harnesses his experience as a former cybercrimes prosecutor to provide guidance to clients on cybersecurity and data privacy matters. As a cybercrimes prosecutor, he investigated and prosecuted an amalgam of cybercrimes, including identity trafficking, dark web murder for hire, cyber extortion, and online drug trafficking. During that time, Ryan also trained with the U.S. Secret Service and the Department of Homeland Security in the acquisition and use of digital evidence at the National Computer Forensics Institute. He has also lectured fellow lawyers and instructed members of law enforcement on the topics of cyber fraud and identity theft. Ryan draws on these experiences to advise large corporations, governmental bodies, nonprofit entities, and others on cybersecurity matters such as risk planning and breach response, and has acted as liaison between privacy breach victims and law enforcement agencies.
