rpierce@reevesbrightwell.com
512.334.4503   |   512.334.4492 (fax)

Ryan is a civil litigator with significant experience representing clients in trial and appellate courts across the country.  He also has experience with arbitration and mediation. After graduating at the top of his class at Tulane Law School, Ryan clerked for Justice Harriet O'Neill of the Texas Supreme Court.  Ryan later clerked for Judge Michael W. Mosman, a federal district court judge in Oregon, where he worked primarily on intellectual-property and employment litigation.  As a practicing lawyer, Ryan has represented clients involved in a variety of complex lawsuits, first as an appellate associate at Vinson & Elkins LLP and then at the Washington, D.C. firm Wilmer Hale LLP.  Ryan also has substantial pro bono experience, including the representation of foreign journalists in asylum proceedings.

Representative Matters

• Assist in representation of international computer manufacturer in defense of several class action lawsuits filed in courts across the country.
• Assisted in representation of international semiconductor manufacturer in lawsuit presenting novel issues of fiduciary and corporate governance law.
• Assisted in representation of international natural foods grocery store chain in copyright infringement lawsuit brought by the designer of the chain's private-label logo.
• Assisted in representation of software start-up company in lawsuit presenting contract, fiduciary-duty, and copyright issues.
• Assisted in representation of several former executives of an international camera company in national class action alleging violations of ERISA, brought in the Southern District of New York.
• Assisted in representation of international shipping company in national class actions alleging violations of antitrust laws, brought in federal court in Connecticut and in arbitration forum in New York.
• Assisted in representation of international investment firms and banks in multi-million dollar lawsuits brought by former client in federal and state court in Virginia.
• Assisted in representation of NFL team in dispute with Maryland County over stadium roads.
• Assisted in representation of several hospitals in submitting amici curiae brief in a medical-malpractice case before the Texas Supreme Court, which agreed with clients' arguments.
• Assisted in representation of insurance company in submitting amicus curiae brief in a regulatory dispute challenging the constitutionality of workers' compensation regulations before the Texas Supreme Court, which largely adopted client's arguments.
• Assisted in representation of journalists from Colombia and Pakistan seeking asylum protection in the United States.
• Assisted in representation of indigent client in Section 1983 litigation brought in federal court in Dallas.
• Assisted with internal corporate investigations involving alleged misconduct on the part of employees.
• Challenged subpoenas, on First Amendment and other grounds, served on journalists.

Tulane University School of Law, J.D., summa cum laude 2001 (recipient of Dean's and Faculty Medals for obtaining highest GPA in class)

Managing Editor, Tulane Law Review

Admitted to practice:
Texas 2002; Virginia 2004

Law Clerk to the Honorable Harriet O'Neill, Supreme Court of Texas 2001-2002

Appellate Associate, Vinson & Elkins LLP, 2002-2003

Law Clerk to the Honorable Michael W. Mosman, U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon 2003-2004

Litigation Associate, Wilmer Hale LLP, 2004-2006