Attorney Profile
Ryan knew from an early age that he wanted to be an attorney. Growing up, he observed multiple family members build successful legal practices in Peoria. While in college, his early interest in the law was transformed into a fascination with the legislative process and government. As such, Ryan tailored his education at the University of Missouri to allow him to intern for some of the highest-ranking politicians in the state. These positions afforded him the opportunity to work on meaningful legislation with some of the brightest political minds in Missouri.
Ryan went on to attend Michigan State University College of Law. At MSU, Ryan continued his passion for law and government by serving as a legislative fellow for both the Michigan Speaker of the House and the House Republican Policy Office. While holding these positions, Ryan also consistently made the Dean’s List, served as an associate editor for the MSU Animal and Natural Resources Law Review, and graduated cum laude in 2020.
While in law school, Ryan worked at Quinn Johnston as a summer law clerk. That experience, coupled with the firm’s reputation and the collegiality of its attorneys, made his decision to return home easy. Since passing the bar, Ryan has focused his practice on defending medical malpractice and personal injury lawsuits. He particularly appreciates the privilege of assisting medical providers, who have devoted their careers to helping others, navigate the legal process in order to obtain the best result possible.
In his relatively young career, Ryan has already attained significant achievements. This success has been recognized by his peers, as he has been named an Illinois Emerging Lawyer (2021-present) and an Illinois Super Lawyers Rising Star (2024-present). His various professional achievements include the following:
- A not-guilty verdict for a general surgeon and his practice group following an eight-day trial which Ryan second-chaired. The patient died of complications associated with a known risk of a small bowel procedure and sued the surgeon for wrongful death. The Plaintiff asked the jury for over $9 million dollars and the jury returned a defense verdict after approximately 4.5 hours of deliberations.
- A not guilty-verdict for a surgical group and three of its employed physicians following a two-week trial which Ryan second-chaired. The patient died due to an alleged anastomotic leak following a low anterior colon resection. Plaintiff asked the jury for over $10 million and the jury returned a defense verdict after approximately 3 hours of deliberation.
- Notwithstanding his allegiance to the defense bar, Ryan had the unique opportunity to co-chair a three-day slip and fall trial where the jury awarded his injured client more than $500,000.
- Obtaining summary judgment of a wrongful death case involving the death of a teenager in a tragic accident. Originally, the court denied the motion for summary judgment. However, Ryan assisted in preparing a motion to reconsider and successfully convinced the court during oral argument that it had erred in finding a question of fact existed as to whether the firm’s clients owed any sort of duty to the plaintiff.
Outside of work, Ryan lives in Peoria with his fiancée, Taylor. In his free time, he enjoys golfing, hiking, and avidly following the Mizzou Tigers and Michigan State Spartans.
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Practice Areas
Education
- J.D., Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, 2020
- Honors: Cum Laude Graduate, Dean’s List (5 of 6 semesters)
- Journal: Associate Editor, Animal and Nature Resource Law Review
- B.A., Political Science, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri 2017
- Honors: Dean’s List
Admissions/Associations
- Illinois State Bar Association
- Peoria County Bar Association
Ratings/Recognitions
- Illinois Emerging Lawyers list, 2022-2025
- Illinois Super Lawyers Rising Stars list, 2024-2025