Matthew S. Ryan - Chicago, IL

Mr. Ryan is a trial lawyer, problem solver, and advisor who focuses his practice on commercial litigation and criminal defense. Matt has tried cases in Illinois’ state and federal courts, litigated matters in courts throughout the country and represented clients before many federal, state, and local administrative agencies.

In the civil context, Matt has extensive experience litigating and advising clients on partnership disputes, including representing both majority and minority stakeholders in freeze outs, buy outs, dissolutions, and breach of fiduciary duty, breach of contract, and fraud claims. As plaintiffs or defendants, clients frequently rely on Matt in emergency matters involving temporary restraining orders and preliminary injunctive relief, whether to enjoin or permit the sale of property or disposition of assets, or in the context of misappropriation of trade secrets or breach of a non-compete or other restrictive covenants in an employment contract. Matt has also served as co-defense counsel to clients facing class actions in the Northern District of Illinois.

In the criminal context, Mr. Ryan focuses his practice on representing targets, subjects, and witnesses in state and federal grand jury investigations and criminal prosecutions. Matt has tried cases involving securities and commodities fraud, bribery and honest services fraud, and public corruption; he has represented numerous witnesses in investigations ranging from health care fraud to tax and other financial frauds. Mr. Ryan has also successfully represented students and faculty in Title IX investigations and campus disciplinary proceedings. Mr. Ryan’s government experience also uniquely qualifies him to represent individuals and contractors in investigations brought by the City of Chicago and the State of Illinois Inspectors General, and by City or State licensing entities.

Prior to joining the firm, Mr. Ryan practiced in the general litigation group of a large Chicago law firm, Schiff Hardin LLP. He has also served as Deputy General Counsel to the Illinois Governor’s Office. In that position, Mr. Ryan managed all litigation brought against the Governor in his official capacity and advised on various State policy matters, including hiring and procurement reforms, health facilities planning, environmental regulation, and tax and revenue reforms.

Mr. Ryan has taught State and Local Government Law as an adjunct professor at DePaul University College of Law.