Ryan L. Richardson is an experienced litigator with a proven track record of representing Fortune 500 corporations, government agencies, and elected officials in high-stakes civil and regulatory matters. Known for her passionate advocacy and values-driven approach, Ryan has extensive experience in both the public and private sectors, serving as both outside counsel and client representative. She has broad experience in litigation strategy, regulatory guidance and enforcement, and team leadership. She is deeply committed to mentorship and collaboration and has a proven record of providing best-in-class service and outcomes for her clients.

Prior to joining Bricker Graydon, Ryan served as the Director of Litigation for the Division of Oil and Gas Resources Management at the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. Ryan was also the Director’s designee and Oil and Gas Land Management Commission Chair.

Ryan also served as the Assistant Section Chief for the Constitutional Offices section of the Ohio Attorney General’s Office, where she advised and represented Ohio’s elected officials in high-profile litigation. She spent seven years in private practice in Washington, D.C., where her practice focused on complex product liability and class action litigation.

She also clerked for the Honorable Deborah Cook of the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit and the Honorable Jean Hamilton of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri.

Education

Washington University School of Law, J.D., Order of the Coif (2003) 

Washington University, B.A. with Honors (2000)

Distinctions

Recipient, "Best Brief" Award, Ohio Attorney General (2017)

Recipient, "Best Brief" Award, Ohio State Bar Association (2017)

Recipient, “Attorney of the Year” Award, Arnold & Porter (2009)

Professional Activities

Board Member, Ohio Network of Child Abuse Centers (2023–Present)

Board of Trustees, Columbus Montessori Education Center (2015–2024)

Board of Directors, Washington Council of Lawyers (2011–2013)

• Represented the State in high-stakes breach of contract litigation against the United States Government: evaluated and advised the agency regarding litigation risks, developed and directed litigation strategy for the agency, and facilitated all aspects of litigation.
• Collaborated with trial counsel and the Division of Oil and Gas Resources Management to develop litigation strategy for a twenty-million dollar lawsuit involving regulation of underground injection wells: provided litigation advice to the Division and on-site representation during the two-week trial.
• Served as the Chair of the Oil and Gas Land Management Commission as the Director’s designee, responsible for presiding over commission meetings, managing nominations, and engaging with stakeholders to secure agreements that supported growth and sustainable development.
• Successfully argued cases before the Sixth Circuit, the Ohio Supreme Court, the Northern and Southern Districts of Ohio, and Ohio trial and appellate courts.

Additional Items

• Speaker, “Trouble with ODNR: Strategies for Working with the Regulator," Ohio Oil and Gas Association Annual Meeting (2024)
• Speaker, “Primer on Ohio Environment Regulatory Issues,” Case Western University School of Law, Speaker Series (2024)
• Moderator, “Working With and Managing Outside Counsel,” Association of Corporate Counsel, Central Ohio Chapter, Annual Meeting (2022)

When Ryan is not working, she loves spending time with her family, including her husband and three children. Ryan also volunteers for and supports causes benefiting children, including her own.