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, 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 University College (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
Chambers USA® (2011: Litigation).
Listed in
The Best Lawyers in America® (2005-present: Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Tax Law).
Selected for inclusion in the 2007-2011
Southwest Super Lawyers® lists (Business Litigation).
Martindale-Hubbell AV
® Peer Review Rated.
Professional and Civic Activities
- American Bar Association (Member, Litigation Section; Chair, Trial by Jury Task Force, 1994-1995; Member, Class Actions and Derivative Suits Committee, 1991-present).
- Industrial Development Authority of the City of Chandler, Arizona (President, 2000-2005; Vice President, 1997-2000; Board Member, 1996-2006).
- Chandler Historical Society (Board Member, 2004-2008).
- Business Advisory Council, American Graduate School of International Management (Member, 1995-1996).
- Museum Advisory Board of the City of Chandler, Arizona (Vice President 2008-present; Board Member, 2006-present).