About Ryan
Ryan joined Beasley Allen Law Firm in January 2016 as a lawyer in the Mass Torts Section. His practice has concentrated primarily on litigation surrounding the link between talcum powder products and ovarian cancer.
Ryan earned his Bachelor of Science in business administration from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln in 2009. He earned his J.D. from the University of Nebraska College of Law in 2013. He is a member of the Alabama State Bar, the Alabama State Bar Young Lawyers Section and the American Association for Justice.
Ryan and his wife, Heidi, live in Montgomery, Alabama. They have twins, Ryker and Layla, who enjoy spending time with their three dogs, Max, Bentley and Peyton. They attend St. James United Methodist Church.
Ryan enjoys spending time with his family, pursuing outdoor activities like golfing, hunting, fishing, and following the Nebraska Huskers. He is an active member of Ducks Unlimited and Delta Upsilon fraternity.
Before joining Beasley Allen, Ryan worked at Hickman, Goza & Spragins, PLLC in Oxford, Mississippi, and Chapman, Lewis & Swan, PLLC in Clarksdale, Mississippi.
Community Involvement
Ryan serves on the executive board for the March of Dimes for the State of Alabama.
- Alabama (2015)
- University of Nebraska College of Law (J.D., 2013)
- University of Nebraska at Lincoln (B.S., 2009)
2015 – Current
Career
Memberships
- Alabama State Bar (Young Lawyers Section)
- American Association for Justice
- March of Dimes of Alabama (executive board)
Notable Cases
Ryan is part of the litigation team taking talcum powder cases to trial. He has been part of five trials that resulted in verdicts against Johnson & Johnson totaling $725 million.
Juries in the five trials Ryan has helped litigate found consumer health care products giant Johnson & Johnson liable for injuries or wrongful death resulting from using its talc-containing products, including its Baby Powder and Shower-to-Shower body powder for feminine hygiene. The juries found the company knew of the cancer risks associated with the talc products but failed to warn consumers.
Talcum Powder Victories
As many as 2,200 cases of ovarian cancer diagnosed each year may have been caused by regular use of talcum powder products, such as baby powder and body powder, in the genital area.
In February 2016, a jury awarded the family of Jacqueline Fox $72 million, holding Johnson & Johnson liable for her ovarian cancer death. In that verdict, $62 million in punitive damages were awarded. The purpose of awarding punitive damages is to punish a company for wrongdoing and to compel it to change its actions.
The talc litigation trial team secured a second verdict in May on behalf of plaintiff Gloria Ristesund. The jury awarded Ms. Ristesund $55 million, including $5 million in actual damages and $50 million in punitive damages.
The talc litigation trial team secured a third verdict in October 2016 on behalf of plaintiff Deborah Giannecchini. The jury awarded Ms. Giannecchini $70 million, including $575,000 in medical damages, $2 million in compensatory damages, $65 million in punitive damages against Johnson & Johnson, and $2.5 million in punitive damages against Imerys.
In May 2017, the team secured a fourth verdict on behalf of Lois Slemp. That jury awarded Ms. Slemp $110 million, including $5.4 million in compensatory damages and $105 million in punitive damages against the two companies.
In August 2017, Ryan was a member of the trial team that secured a fifth verdict on behalf of Eva Echeverria in Los Angeles. The jury awarded her $417 million in damages, including $70 million in compensatory damages and $347 million in punitive damages.
Awards & Recognitions
Professional Accomplishments
Ryan has been selected to the Midsouth Super Lawyers Rising Stars list since 2019, which recognizes the top up-and-coming attorneys – those 40 years old or younger or who have been practicing 10 years or less.
Awards and Recognitions
- Mid-South Super Lawyers
Recent News
29 Beasley Allen Attorneys Named to 2024 Mid-South Super Lawyers, Rising Stars
Super Lawyers has recognized 29 attorneys from the Beasley Allen Law Firm for their outstanding…
Hair Relaxer Cases Increase Nationwide as Georgia Cases Proceed
Our Hair Relaxer Litigation Team monitors Georgia cases as they survive motions to dismiss. The…
Beasley Allen Files Hair Relaxer Lawsuit for Georgia Man After Wife’s Death
Beasley Allen lawyers filed a lawsuit on behalf of Lafayette Armstrong after his wife, Barbara…