Thomas M. Ryan, Esq.

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