Ryan has a comprehensive trial and appellate practice, representing clients at all levels.

He is a University Medalist in Law, a former High Court Associate (Dyson Heydon KC), and has postgraduate degrees – BCL (Distinction) and M Phil in Law – from the University of Oxford (St John’s College, Slifkin Scholar).

Ryan’s commercial experience includes working in international disputes practices in London (Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP) and Paris (Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer). Notable matters as a solicitor included representing:

*** the Republic of Cyprus in its defence of investment treaty claims arising out of the Eurozone financial crisis and valued in excess of EUR 1 billion;

*** a United Arab Emirates oil and gas consortium in a multi-billion dollar London-seated arbitration (damages phase) against the Kurdistan Regional Government of Iraq in one of the highest-value energy disputes ever in the Middle East; and

*** the Government of Belize in respect of Guatemala’s Territorial, Insular and Maritime Claim (Guatemala/Belize) before the International Court of Justice.

Ryan also brings deep governmental expertise to his practice, having served as Counsel Assisting the then Commonwealth Solicitor-General (Justin Gleeson SC) and advised successive Commonwealth Attorneys-General during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Recent matters as counsel include:

*** Petersen Energia Inversora S.A.U. & Ors v Argentine Republic, 2024/0089582 NSWSC (Eq Div) – recognition and enforcement at common law of a US SDNY judgment worth USD 17.5 billion – for the plaintiffs – led by Justin Hogan-Doran SC and Chester Brown SC;

*** Kain v R&B Investments Pty Ltd as trustee for the R&B Pension Fund & Ors ("Blue Sky"), S146/2024, High Court of Australia – class actions and common fund orders – for the amicus curiae – led by Craig Lenehan SC;

*** Thenford Consulting Pty Ltd v Norman Farquhar Mackay & Ors, 2024/00184124, NSWSC (Eq Div) – shareholder oppression claims – for the third defendant / cross-claimant – led by Jeremy Giles SC and Simon Rubenstein;

*** Pauline Hanson v Mehreen Faruqi, NSD1698/2024, FCA (Full Court) – constitutional law (external affairs power and implied freedom of political communication) – for the appellant – led by Sue Chrysanthou SC and Tim Smartt; and

*** Regal Funds Management Pty Ltd as Trustee for Regal Emerging Companies Opportunities Fund v John Park and Ben Campbell in their capacity as Receivers and Managers of Altus Renewables Ltd (Receivers and Managers Appointed) (in Liquidation), NSD1394/2024, FCA – commercial and insolvency law – for the plaintiffs – led by Jeremy Giles SC and Michael Rose.