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.
Background
Ryan earned his Bachelor of Science degree 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.
Prior to joining Beasley Allen, Ryan worked at Hickman, Goza & Spragins, PLLC in Oxford, Mississippi, and Chapman, Lewis & Swan, PLLC in Clarksdale, Mississippi.
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 the use of 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, and $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 and Recognitions
Ryan has been selected to the Midsouth Super Lawyers “Rising Stars” list since 2019, which recognizes the top up-and-coming attorneys – those who are 40 years old or younger, or who have been practicing 10 years or less.
Community Involvement
Ryan and his wife, Heidi, make their home in Montgomery, Alabama. They recently had twin babies, Ryker and Layla, who enjoy spending time with their three dogs, Max, Bentley and Peyton. They attend St. James United Methodist church and Ryan also serves on the Executive Board for the March of Dimes for the State of Alabama.
In his free time, Ryan enjoys spending time with his kids and wife, golfing, hunting, fishing, sports—especially following the Nebraska Huskers—and anything else outdoors. He is a member of Ducks Unlimited and Delta Upsilon fraternity.
Admissions
Alabama (2015)
Education
University of Nebraska College of Law (J.D. (2013)
University of Nebraska at Lincoln 9B.S. 2009)
Memberships
Alabama State Bar (Young Lawyers Section)
American Association for Justice
