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Frank Ryan

Frank W. Ryan

Americas Chair
Global Co-Chair
Global Co-CEO
Frank is a go-to strategist and litigator.
About

Frank Ryan is DLA Piper's Global Co-Chair, Global Co-CEO, and Americas Chair. Since the start of his leadership, Frank has driven unprecedented growth and innovation, guiding the firm in raising market share in key practices and sectors, developing world-class talent, and delivering impactful pro bono projects around the globe.

Frank is known as a go-to strategist for some of the world’s most sophisticated media and sports companies.

A graduate of Syracuse University College of Law, Frank now serves on the school's Board of Advisors. He is a member of the Legal Service Corporation's Leaders Council, advising the country's largest funder of civil legal aid programs in support of equal access to legal representation. Frank is the founding chair of DLA Piper’s scholarship program, established to assist student athletes and veterans wishing to pursue a career in the legal profession. He is also a member of the Wall Street Journal CEO Council and Thomson Reuters' Global Strategy Board and is frequently quoted in business and legal media.

Bar admissionsNew York

EXPERIENCE

The long list of high-profile clients Frank has counseled includes Disney, ABC, TomTom, Pac-12, Nike, ESPN, beIN Media Group, Al Jazeera, Medtronic, ConMed and significant matters related to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Education
  • J.D., Syracuse University College of Law
    Order of the Coif
    magna cum laude
  • B.S., Syracuse University
    Four Year Varsity Letter Winner

Awards

The Legal 500 United States

  • 2021 - Recommended, Trademarks: Litigation
  • The Legal 500 comments, "Other key figures include New York-based global co-chair Frank Ryan, an expert in high-stakes litigation..."
  • 2021 - Recommended, Trademarks: Non-Contentious (including Prosecution, Portfolio Management and Licensing)
  • The Legal 500 comments, "...Frank Ryan in New York co-chairs the IP and tech practice and focuses on litigation, and other IP matters in the sports, media and entertainment sectors."
  • 2019-2020 - Recommended, Trademarks: Non-Contentious (including Prosecution, Portfolio Management and Licensing)
  • 2018-2020 - Recommended, Trademarks: Litigation
  • 2017-18 - Recommended, Technology: Transactions
  • 2017 - Recommended, Telecoms & Broadcast: Transactional
  • 2014-16 - Recommended, Sport

Seminars

  • Panelist, "The State of the Global Legal Industry," Thomson Reuters 17th Annual Legal Executive Briefing, May 11, 2022
  • Speaker, "Reinventing Business and Talent Models," Thomson Reuters Strategy Board Meeting, May 4, 2022
  • Panelist, "What’s Next: Law firm leaders and industry experts discuss law firm office trends in the wake of the pandemic," Savills Legal Tenant, February 24, 2021
  • Panelist, "The 2020 Legal Executive Briefing Webinar Series: The State of the Global Legal Industry," Thomson Reuters, December 10, 2020

Media Mentions

Memberships And Affiliations

  • Board of advisors for Syracuse University College of Law
  • Member of the Legal Services Corporation's Leaders Council
  • Member of the Wall Street Journal CEO Council
  • Member of the Thomson Reuters' Global Strategy Board

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