Professional Experience
James Ryan practices in the area of complex commercial litigation, litigation involving direct sales companies and distributors, civil racketeering litigation, business torts, actions for breach of contract, and class actions. His experience includes:
- Representation of direct sales companies in contract disputes, civil racketeering actions, and commercial tort actions.
- Defense of corporations and corporate directors and officers in shareholder derivative litigation.
- Defense of corporations and individuals in federal and state civil RICO litigation, including class actions.
Education and Honors
- University of Maryland School of Law (J.D., with honors, 1982)
- University of Maryland (B.A., summa cum laude, 1977)
Phi Kappa Phi. Alpha Sigma Lambda.
Court Admissions
U.S. Court of Appeals, 9th Circuit, 1990
U.S. District Court, District of Arizona, 1984
Supreme Court of Arizona, 1983
U.S. District Court, District of Maryland, 1983
Maryland Court of Appeals, 1982
Professional Recognition
Listed in
The Best Lawyers in America® (2005-present: Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Tax Law).
Selected as a
Southwest Super Lawyer (2007-present: Business Litigation).
Martindale-Hubbell AV
® Peer Review Rated.
Professional and Civic Activities
Member: American Bar Association (Section of Litigation: Chair, Trial by Jury Task Force (1994 to 1995); Member: Class Actions and Derivative Suits Committee, (1991 to present); Board Member, Industrial Development Authority of the City of Chandler, Arizona (1996 to 2006; Vice President, 1997 to 2000; President, 2000 to 2005); Board Member, Chandler Historical Society (2004 to 2008); Board Member, Xicanindio Artes, Inc. (2004 to present); Member, Business Advisory Council, American Graduate School of International Management (Thunderbird) (1995 to 1996); Board Member: Museum Advisory Board of the City of Chandler, Arizona (2006 to present; Vice President 2008 to present)