Ryan was born in New Jersey, where he spent his early years immersed in sports—soccer, baseball, and track. His life took a major turn halfway through high school when his family relocated to Southern California for his dad’s job at Sony in Rancho Bernardo. Moving across the country during junior year isn’t for the faint of heart, but Ryan adapted quickly, continuing his track career at La Costa Canyon High School.

Ryan went on to attend USC, majoring in Political Science with a minor in Business. From early on, he was “that kid” who argued with everyone—so much so that people told him he should become a lawyer. He took that to heart. His time at USC wasn’t just about academics; he joined a fraternity and built lifelong friendships, solidified by an annual Vegas trip with 25 friends—a tradition now in its 15th year.

Knowing law school was his next step, Ryan decided to venture out of California and experience something different, landing at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. With family ties to the Midwest (his mom from West Lafayette, IN and dad from Milwaukee, WI), it felt like a natural fit. U of I was a major feeder school for Chicago law firms, but Ryan had his sights set on returning to San Diego.

Determined to break into the local legal scene, he spent his law school summers networking relentlessly, grabbing coffee with anyone willing to chat. That persistence led him to Drew Kohn, who became an early mentor. In the summer before his third year, job opportunities were scarce, but Ryan knew he wanted to work with Drew. The next summer, as he prepped for the California Bar Exam, he finally connected with Jennifer Lutz, despite multiple reschedules. She eventually asked for his résumé, set up an interview, and offered him a role. The catch? It was an employment law position, something he hadn’t planned for. His response? “If that means working here, then sure.”

Now, 13 years later, Ryan has built his career in employment law, which makes up 95% of his practice. While his firm handles a wide range of legal matters, Ryan’s passion remains in advocating for employers—big and small. He originally went to law school to speak on someone’s behalf, and while he didn’t have a plan for who that would be, he’s found his calling in helping businesses navigate complex legal issues.

Ryan has been a shareholder at Pettit Kohn Ingrassia Lutz & Dolin (equivalent to a partner) for seven years and remains committed to doing great work for great clients. His firm, founded in 2006, has grown organically from 25 to 65 attorneys, not by chasing numbers but because demand dictated the need. The employment law team alone has grown from 8 to 27 attorneys, a testament to their strong reputation and results.

Outside of work, Ryan’s biggest role is being dad to his 2.5-year-old son, Holden, a little ball of energy who’s obsessed with animals and loves trips to the zoo. Ryan and his wife, a Notre Dame Law grad and estate planning attorney, have built their life in La Costa, moving there in 2021. Their relationship began with a fraternity connection—her brother was Ryan’s pledge master—and they started dating in 2016. Their wedding story is a true COVID saga: engaged in 2019, their June 2020 wedding was postponed, then downsized to an intimate ceremony at her family’s property. A year later, they finally celebrated with a big party in Napa.

In his free time, Ryan enjoys traveling—he and his wife recently spent two glorious, kid-free weeks in Spain—and while he wants to say he golfs, the reality is his home (built in the 1970s) has been a much bigger project.

His involvement in RIMS stems from his appreciation for risk professionals who take a proactive approach. His legal career often involves putting out fires, so he enjoys being around like-minded individuals who prioritize prevention. He values the thoughtful discussions and insightful questions that come from being part of the RIMS community.

Fun fact? Despite all his legal accomplishments, Ryan’s proudest occupational achievement is still being named Employee of the Month at Fun Town in Legoland.

And in case you were wondering—Ryan will be in San Diego forever. His firm has delivered on every promise, and he’s grateful to be part of a team that continues to grow in both size and impact.