Erin T. Ryan

Biography

Erin T. Ryan practices in the areas of bankruptcy and civil litigation. Beginning her career with the Special Federal Litigation Division of the New York City Law Department, she practiced section 1983 civil rights litigation for seven years before moving to Washington, D.C. and joining the Office of Immigration Litigation (OIL), part of the Department of Justice’s Civil Division.

Erin is a seasoned trial attorney, having tried numerous jury and bench trials. She is able to distill significant amounts of discovery without losing the nuances of complexity, an aptitude her fellow attorneys appreciate today just as her former colleagues relied on her to handle every level of cases, including briefing and oral argument before numerous Courts of Appeal, as well as helping to brief cases for the U.S. Supreme Court. She is undaunted by a heavy workload, having managed an individual caseload of more than 20 cases at a time.

A native of Connecticut, Erin is enjoying the next era of her career in private practice, bringing with her a strong background in working with a team handling high-profile lawsuits brought by States and non-profit organizations against the Executive Branch of the federal government. Her effective communication skills extend well beyond the jury box as formerly demonstrated by her ability to adeptly advise the White House and agencies in development of potential new immigration policies.

Her familiarity with municipal and federal governmental procedures is an asset to the firm, as Erin brings experience with administrative law, notice and comment rulemaking, and immigration law. She is able to immerse herself in information accurately and quickly, making her a go-to for last-minute trials and depositions. Erin is also well-versed in settlement negotiations, having attended hundreds of settlement conferences and mediations on behalf of the City of New York. Erin also enjoys mentoring younger attorneys. During her time with the Special Federal Litigation Division, Erin supervised law school interns as an Adjunct Professor at Fordham Law School and Brooklyn Law School.

Erin graduated with a bachelor’s degree in theater from Temple University, then followed what had been a career goal at the back of her mind for years, earning her Juris Doctor from Brooklyn Law School. She found the transition surprisingly applicable, comparing the jury to an audience as she leveraged presentation and persuasion skills learned during training in improv and stand-up comedy at Second City Chicago. Those skills have also made Erin incredibly adapt at thinking on her feet and staying cool under pressure, which she uses to great effect in the courtroom.

A woman of integrity, she values the trust earned from colleagues and clients, working to make sure her clients feel comfortable with her while she works towards their best possible outcome.

Honors & Awards

Representative Cases

Bar Admissions

• New York
  
• Connecticut
  
• Southern, Eastern, and Northern Districts of New York; District of Connecticut
  
• Courts of Appeal for the Ninth and D.C. Circuits