Thomas M. Ryan, Esq.

PARTNER

Phone :

480-963-3333

Profile

Tom Ryan is a top-rated attorney who has represented plaintiffs across the country for over forty years. Always being a staunch advocate for his clients, Tom has earned a stellar reputation for his expertise as a successful trial lawyer. As stated on the Dateline airing of one of Tom’s cases, “When they needed a fighter, they called on Tom Ryan.”

Tom was born and raised in the East Valley with dreams of becoming a lawyer. Coming from one of the pioneer families in Chandler, Tom was raised with the values of community service, compassion for those in need, and everyday justice. He excelled at the University of Arizona, graduating with a B.A. in History and received his Juris Doctorate from Arizona State University College of Law.

In 1998, Tom was certified as a Specialist in Injury & Wrongful Death by the State Bar of Arizona Board of Legal Specialization. His practice focuses on wrongful death and catastrophic personal injury claims including but not limited to: medical malpractice, abuse of vulnerable adults in violation of the Adult Protective Services Act (APSA), birth injuries, auto/truck/motorcycle accidents.

Tom is recognized as a leading plaintiff’s attorney whose cases have been featured on Court TV, ABC 20/20, Dateline NBC, a documentary and many local news outlets. His dedication to clients and involvement in all aspects of a case bring value to every claim.

Education

University of Arizona, B.A 1979 President’s Award, Baird Scholar
Arizona State University, J.D. 1982 Moot Court Board, Camby Cup Award, Student Bar President

Bar Admissions

Arizona Supreme Court
United States District Court of Arizona
9th Circuit Court of Appeals
California (Pro Hac Vice)
Illinois (Pro Hac Vice)
Florida (Pro Hac Vice)
Iowa (Pro Hac Vice)
Kansas (Pro Hac Vice)
South Carolina (Pro Hac Vice)
Tennesee (Pro Hac Vice)

Certification

1998 Certified Specialist in Injury and Wrongful Death State Bar of Arizona
2003 Re-Certified
2008 Re-Certified
2013 Re-Certified
2018 Re-Certified
2023 Re-Certified

Professional Associations

American Bar Association
American Association for Justice
Arizona Association for Justice
Maricopa County Bar Association
State Bar of Arizona

Honors & Awards

AV Pier Review Rated Martindale-Hubbell
Best Lawyers in America
Super Lawyers of the Southwest
U.S. News & World Report Best Lawyers, Best Law Firms Tier 1 Ranking
Lifetime Advocate Award, Arizona Association for Justice
Lawyer of the Year 2017, East Valley Best Lawyers
President’s Award, State Bar of Arizona
Outstanding Lawyer of the Year 2011-2012, AZAJ
President’s Commendation, Arizona Attorneys For Criminal Justice
President’s Award, AZAJ
Legislative Co-Chair Award, AZAJ
Distinguished Graduate Award, National Catholic Educational Association
Pro Bono Service Award, Arizona Bar Foundation
College of Law Founding Member, Executive Moot Court Board Award, Arizona State University

Historical Cases

Franklin Bruce Ross v. Ken Bennett, et al., Maricopa County Superior Court CV2011-011864

Maricopa County Republican Party, et al. v. Constantin Querard, Maricopa County Superior Court CV2004-04-016012

Board of Directorships

Arizona Association for Justice: Past President, Past Vice-President, Past Secretary, Past Treasurer

East Valley Regional Health System/Chandler Regional Hospital, Past Chairman, Past Secretary/Treasurer

American Bar Association, Past House of Delegates Member

East Valley Bar Association, Past President

State Bar of Arizona Conflict Case Committee , Past Member

St. Thomas More Society, Past Board Member

Governor’s and Arizona State Bar Task Forces

Governor’s Task Force on Access to Emergency Medical Services (EMSA)
Arizona State Bar Task Force re: ER 1.15 Third Party Interest in Injury Claims
Arizona State Bar Senior Lawyers Task Force

Documentary

Mama/M.A.M.A. Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy, Pyedog Production

Lectures

2023 AZAJ Annual Ethics Seminar Co-Chair & Presenter
Dealing with the Ghosting Lawyer
2023 Arizona College of Trial Advocacy, Annual Conference
Opening Statements
2022 AZAJ Annual Ethics Seminar Co-Chair & Presenter
The Lawyer as Counselor
2021 AZAJ Annual Ethics Seminar Co-Chair & Presenter
Trial Lawyer Professionalism
2020 American Board of Trial Advocates, Town Hall Webinar
Trials in the Age of COVID-19
2019 Medical Malpractice Seminar
Trial Communication Skills
2019 AZAJ Annual Ethics Seminar Co-Chair & Presenter
What the Susquehanna Hat Company & Litigators Have to do with Sanctions
2018 Maricopa County Bar Association, Bench Bar Conference
Closing Arguments
2018 AZAJ Annual Ethics Seminar Co-Chair & Presenter
Confidentiality, Secrecy and Lies
2018 Arizona College of Trial Advocacy, Annual Conference
Opening Statements
2017 AZAJ Annual Ethics Seminar Co-Chair & Presenter
Professionalism
2017 AZAJ Learn at Lunch Seminar
Closing Arguments
2016 University of Arizona, College of Law
Guest Lecturer on Legal Professionalism
2016 Arizona College of Trial Advocacy, Annual Conference
Opening Statements
2015 Arizona College of Trial Advocacy, Annual Conference
Opening Statements
2014 O’Connor House – Sandra Day O’Connor
In collaboration with KJZZ
Panelist, “Issues and Answers” Forum

Television Appearances

2023: KPHO Channel 3 and 5 multiple appearances
2023 KPNX Channel 12 multiple appearances
2022 KPHO Channel 3 and 5 multiple appearances
2022 KPNX Channel 12 multiple appearances
2021 KPNX Channel 12 multiple appearances
2021 KPHO Channel 3 and 5 multiple appearances
2020 KPHO, KPNX, KJZZ multiple appearance re: Elections and Constitution
KPHO Channel 3 and 5: Wrong Way Drivers on Arizona Highways 1/6/20
KPHO Channel 3 and 5: Morgan Loew Investigation re: DPS & I-17 fatal collision 11/20/20
KPNX Channel 12 Sunday Square Off: Recent Court Decisions 5/29/19
KPNX Channel 12 Sunday Square Off: Sheriff Joe Arpaio Criminal Trial 6/25/17
KAET PBS Horizon: Debate on Dark Money in Arizona 6/21/16
KTVK Channel 3 Politics Unplugged: SB1516 and Dark Money in Arizona 6/17/16
KPNX Channel 12 Sunday Square Off: Arizona Politics 12/14/15
KPHO Channel 5, KTVK Channel 3: Freeway Safety 7/27/15
KPNX Channel 12 Sunday Square Off: Supreme Court Decisions 6/28/15
KPNX Channel 12 Sunday Square Off: Arizona Politics 3/1/15
KPHO Channel 5: Arizona Supreme Court Considers Immunity for State 11/14/14
KPHO Channel 5: Arizona Supreme Court Crossover Collision Case 11/3/14
KAET PBS Horizon: Attorney General Tom Horne Campaign Violations 5/20/14

Radio

2023 KJZZ “The Show” multiple appearances
2023 The Mike O’Neil Show multiple appearances
2022 KJZZ “the Show” multiple appearances
2022 The Mike O’Neil Show multiple appearances
2021 KJZZ “The Show” multiple appearances
2021 The Mike O’Neil Show multiple appearances
KJZZ PBS Friday News Cap 3/21/20
KTAR The Mike O’Neil Show Think Tank 2020 Year Re-cap -Numerous 2020
KJZZ PBS Friday news Cap 3/20/19
KJZZ PBS The Show 9/10/18
KTAR The Mike O’Neil Show Think Tank 8/12/18
KJZZ PBS The Show: AZ Corporation Commission 4/21/18
KTAR The Mike O’Neil Show Think Tank 4/1/17
KJZZ PBS The Show : APS and the AZ Corporation Commission Arizona Energy 12/3/16
KJZZ PBS Live 2017 Election Result Discussion 12/8/16

Publications

Forward to the book Disordered Mother or Disordered Diagnosis? Munchausen by Proxy Syndrome, Drs. David B. Allison and Mark Roberts, Analytic Press, 1998
“MUNCHAUSEN SYNDROME BY PROXY: Misogyny or Modern Medicine?” Women’s caucus Newsletter, Women’s Trial Lawyers of America, Fall, 1997
Co-Author, “Medicine Made Easy,” Professional Educational Systems, Inc.
Co-Author, “Winning Ways With Direct and Cross-Examination: Guiding Principles for the Civil Litigator in Arizona,” National Business Institute

Community Service

Past Member of the Chandler Housing Authority
Past Member of the City of Phoenix Crime Free Multi Housing Task Force
Arizona State University School of Law, Judge – Moot Court Competitions
Downtown Chandler Community Foundation, Past Advisor
Chandler Historical Society Speaker/Presenter, Annual Pioneer Luncheon
St. Mary-Basha Elementary School, Past Chair – Development Committee
St. Mary-Basha Elementary School, Past School Board Member
Seton Catholic High School, Past Organizer – Capital Campaign