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Ryan W. Smith utilizes his decades of legal experience to help clients maneuver through commercial disputes with discipline, responsiveness, and civility. He works to avoid litigation and efficiently approach matters for clients including executives, privately-held businesses, family offices, partnerships, and real estate investors. His commercial litigation experience includes a range of sensitive commercial matters, including disputes related to business partner break-ups or breaches in fiduciary duty, investment property portfolios, family trusts, inheritance, and fraud or real estate mismanagement matters. He also has experience in high-profile litigation involving private wealth disputes, fiduciary litigation, business succession, and partnership disputes as well as litigation involving trusts, estates, and conservatorships.

Ryan possesses significant experience working on pre-lawsuit internal and government investigations related to compliance issues, engaging forensic accountants and other specialty consultants, and has handled a series of cases with a securities component.

Capabilities

Experience

  • Obtained a complete arbitration victory in record time on behalf of LA-based developer in a bet-the-company litigation. The client entered contract to purchase vacant land to be developed into much needed affordable housing. The seller misrepresented that the property was suitable for such development. Ryan moved quickly to compel arbitration, completed discovery within two months, and obtained a complete victory on all counts after a week-long arbitration. The arbitrator found in the client’s favor on every cause of action.°

°The above representations were handled by Mr. Smith prior to his joining Greenberg Traurig, LLP.

  • Infantry Sergeant, United States Marine Corps, 1999-2003

Recognition & Leadership

  • Member, Orange County Bar Association
  • Member, Los Angeles County Bar Association
  • Committee Member, Let’s Be Frank About Cancer – City of Hope, 2017-Present
  • Treasurer & Gold Cupper, The Noble Vikings, 2019-Present
  • Trustee, November 10th Association, 2018-Present

Credentials

Education
  • J.D., University of California at Los Angeles, School of Law
  • B.A., magna cum laude, Boston College
Admissions
  • California