Ryan Estes

Associate

Co-Vice Chair of the BRIDGE

About

Ryan Estes is a trial attorney who balances his practice between federal and state employment law issues, including litigation and advice and counsel work. An experienced litigator, Ryan has successfully obtained a complete defense verdict in an employment dispute as a second-chair trial attorney, taken and defended over 300 depositions, drafted and argued dispositive motions, and prepared multiple appellate cases.

Ryan has broad experience defending employers and management in wage and hour class action claims; Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) and state equivalent violation claims; California Private Attorney General Act (PAGA) claims; wrongful termination and harassment, discrimination and retaliation employment claims; unfair business practice claims; and other employment-related litigation. Ryan supplements his broad employment litigation experience, by litigating claims related to the Uniform Trade Secrets Act, common law trade secret misappropriation, breach of fiduciary duty, and breach of contract.

Ryan represents employers and management in state and federal courts and before administrative bodies throughout the United States. These include the California Labor Commissioner's Office, California Civil Rights Department, and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

Ryan regularly counsels employers on OFCCP and EEOC compliance, employee discipline, employee hiring, wage and hour issues, protection of intellectual property, DEI initiatives, employee privacy matters, state and federal leave laws, internal investigations, and the creation and implementation of new and revised personnel policies. He also handles employee mobility issues that include negotiating executive compensation agreements and separation agreements.

Ryan's clients range from Fortune 500 publicly traded companies to local employers, and spans multiple industries including Digital Infrastructure; Transportation; Construction; Transportation; Consumer Goods, Food, and Retail; Hospitality and Leisure; and Media, Sport, and Entertainment.

Areas of FocusEmployment Consumer Goods, Food and Retail Franchise Infrastructure, Construction and Transport Litigation, Arbitration and Investigations Media, Sport and Entertainment

Bar admissionsCalifornia

Representative Experience

Obtained a complete and unanimous defense verdict in a jury trial involving claims of whistleblower retaliation, misuse of government funds, disability discrimination and unfair business practices

Education

University of California, Santa Cruz

J.D./MBA, University of Southern California 2013

Awards

Pro Bono

Seminars

Media Mentions

Mentioned, "Legal Services Corporation Veterans' Task Force wins 2022 Justice Seymour Simon Award," DLA Piper News, July 19, 2022
Mentioned, "DLA Piper delivers safety and security best practices at G6 Hospitality conference," DLA Piper News, March 22, 2022

Clerk Experience

Ryan externed for the United States Bankruptcy Court, Central District of California for the Honorable Ernest M. Robles where he gained extensive experience in the law and motion review.

Prior Experience

Ryan previously worked at one of the largest domestic employment law firms in the United States.

Memberships And Affiliations

Los Angeles County Bar Association/Counsel for Justice, Veteran Legal Services Project, Volunteer
Legal Services Corporation Veterans Task Force, Legal Issues Committee Member
John M. Langston Bar Association, Member
University of Southern California Gould School of Law Class Reunion Fundraising Committee, Member
University of Southern California Gould School of Law Black Law Student Association, Mentor