Press Release 08.20.26
An excellent strategist and a fierce advocate, Ryan made a very stressful lawsuit as painless as possible. He patiently guided us through every step—strategy, discovery and hearings—ultimately delivering a favorable outcome.
Ryan Sullivan represents companies and business leaders in high-stakes commercial disputes over ownership, corporate governance, major contracts and competitive conduct.
Ryan handles matters from early case strategy through evidentiary hearings, trial and appeal. He recently led the direct and cross-examinations of multiple witnesses during a three-day evidentiary hearing against the State of Texas. His results include a directed verdict at trial; dismissal of all claims against officers and directors in a shareholder derivative action, followed by an award of fees and sanctions; sanctions striking an opposing party’s pleadings and resulting in a default judgment; and complete dismissal of contract claims against a medical-device manufacturer. Clients value Ryan’s clear guidance, strategic judgment and focus on their business objectives.
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Ryan regularly writes about the Texas Business Court and has authored practice guides on shareholder litigation for LexisNexis. He is a fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation and served as vice chair of the Children’s Bereavement Center of South Texas.
Representative Experience
- Led direct and cross examinations of multiple witnesses during three-day preliminary injunction hearing for a Texas e-commerce company.
- Won dismissal of all claims against officers and directors in a shareholder derivative suit, followed by an award of attorneys’ fees and sanctions against the shareholders.
- Won a directed verdict at trial for a federal credit union facing a tortious-interference claim.
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- Obtained “death-penalty” sanctions striking a real-estate developer’s pleadings and secured default judgment for the client in a contract dispute.
- Obtained complete dismissal of contract and warranty claims against a medical-device manufacturer in the Western District of New York.
- Defended a bill-payment servicer in dual consumer class action and FTC claims in the Western District of Washington.
- Successfully appealed the Anti-SLAPP dismissal of a dental consulting firm’s petition in a business-disparagement action.
- Obtained dismissal of fiduciary duty and contract claims against the former officer of a cyber-security business.
- Represented a beverage entrepreneur in an earn-out dispute that resulted in a favorable settlement.
Professional Highlights
- Recognized by Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America in Commercial Litigation (2022–2027).
- Recognized by Texas Super Lawyers as a Rising Star (2018–2024).
- “Trials in the Texas Business Court: So Many Questions,” Texas Lawyer, May 6, 2025.
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- “Texas’ New Business Court: What We’ve Learned from Its First Two Months,” Texas Lawyer, November 7, 2024.
- Quoted in “Musk’s Legal Fights Boost Longshot Texas Bid to Become Court Hub,” Bloomberg Law, August 28, 2024.
- “Texas Business Court Can Learn a Few Lessons From Other States,” Bloomberg Law, June 7, 2024.
- “Questions Linger over Texas Business Court’s Jurisdiction,” Law360, November 21, 2023.
- Top 50 Attorneys of San Antonio, Attorney Intel (2022).
Education
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J.D., The George Washington University Law School, 2014
M.Sc., The University of Texas at Austin, 2007
B.A., Occidental College, 2001
Admissions
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Texas
District of Columbia
Maryland
Courts
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U.S. District Courts for the Western, Northern and Southern Districts of Texas
U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland