Patrick Ryan
Director
With more than 35 years of experience in civil litigation, Pat Ryan is best known for successful high-profile cases including his work as U.S. Attorney in the prosecution and conviction of Oklahoma City Bombing defendants Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols in Denver, and just recently securing the acquittal of a founder/CEO in one of the largest corporate fraud cases prosecuted by the U. S. Dept. of Justice. After serving four years in the United States Air Force, including two years as the Chief Military Justice for Southeast Asia, Ryan practiced at a local Oklahoma City law firm before establishing his own civil litigation firm in Oklahoma City in 1981. Ryan is former president of the Oklahoma County Bar Association and the Oklahoma Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates and former member of the Board of Governors of the Oklahoma State Bar Association.
Education/Military
J.D., University of Oklahoma
United States Air Force, Chief of Military Justice for Southeast Asia, 1972 – 1974
Professional Activities
Fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers
Fellow in the International College of Trial Lawyers
Oklahoma County Bar Association, Former President
Oklahoma Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates, Former President
Oklahoma State Bar Association, Former Governor
Honors/Awards
Attorney General of the United States Gold Medallion
President’s Victim Rights Award
Oklahoma County Bar Association’s Leadership Award
Excellence awards from the City of Oklahoma City, the FBI and multiple federal and state agencies.
Listed in Every Edition of “Best Lawyers in America”
Listed as one of Oklahoma’s 10 “Super Lawyers”
Listed in “Chambers” as one of Oklahoma’s Top 3 Business Litigators
STATEMENT OF PHILLIP G. WHALEY, Co-FOUNDER of ryan whaley
“It is with great sadness that Ryan Whaley confirms that our firm’s founder, Patrick M. Ryan, passed away while vacationing in Aruba yesterday, September 18, 2025. He died while snorkeling with family and friends. Pat was a beloved partner, friend, colleague and mentor to us and many others in the legal community. He was a singular talent as a trial attorney and advocate in courthouses across our state and the country. His talents as a trial attorney and service to his country and our community were highlighted during his pivotal role as the United States Attorney for the Western District of Oklahoma in the federal prosecutions of the perpetrators of the Oklahoma City Bombing. His unwavering support for the victims of that tragedy reflected his core belief that the law is about people. At the same time, it was equally important to him that he do all that he could to ensure those defendants received a fair trial, as our laws provide. We, and our community, will miss him dearly.”
Learn more about Mr. Ryan and his legacy here.
Mr. Ryan’s obituary may be found here.
