Rory C. Ryan
Partner

407.359.0403

Rory C. Ryan is one of the founding partners of Ryan Law, P.A.  Previously, Rory spent more than 19 years with the large, international law firm of Holland & Knight, LLP in the firm’s Litigation Section. While at Holland & Knight, Rory held numerous management positions, both on local and national levels. Most recently, Rory served as the Practice Group Leader for the Central Florida Litigation Group. He also chaired Holland & Knight’s Paralegal Program, which involved management of over 125 paralegals, and the firms Fair Employment Practices Committee. Rory has 32 years of extensive legal experience, management experience, with a seasoned background in a variety of litigation and business counseling matters, including environmental issues and real estate disputes, and other commercial litigation matters.

Nature of Legal Practice

Rory has significant experience handling matters before local, regional, and state administrative bodies, as well as litigation matters at both the state and federal court levels.   He has handled commercial, business, and real estate/land use litigation matters dealing with breach of contract and varieties of business disputes, government permitting and approvals, as well as transactions involving businesses and real property.

In particular, his extensive environmental experience, both transactional and litigation,  includes:

  • Counseled on compliance with regulations administered by Federal and State regulators;
  • Due Diligence and Environmental site assessments;
  • Environmental permitting and defending administrative challenges to permit applications;
  • Insurance and contractual obligation claims;
  • Multi-party site clean-up and liability;
  • Negotiated settlement agreements and consent orders with the administrative agencies;
  • Private cost recovery actions;
  • Regulatory enforcement and compliance; and
  • Toxic torts, involving claims of both personal injury and property damage

Concerning Rory’s business and commercial litigation experience, he has been trial counsel involving a wide-range of business and commercial disputes, compliance matters, and commercial real estate. 

Professional Honors & Awards

U.S. News & World Report Best Lawyers® – Litigation-Environmental (2011-2023); Environmental Law (2009-2023); & Commercial Litigation (2021-2023)

Best Lawyers®- Litigation-Environmental (2024-2025); Environmental Law (2024-2025); & Commercial Litigation (2024-2025)

U.S. News & World Report Best Lawyers® “Lawyer of the Year”/Litigation-Environmental (2014, 2017, 2019, & 2021)

Florida Super Lawyers, (2012-2024)

Florida Legal Elite, Florida Trend Magazine, (2004-2006, 2010-2016, 2020, 2022)

Education

  • University of Illinois, College of Law, J.D. Rickert Scholar and Waterman Prize, National Moot Court Team
  • University of Illinois, B.A., English

Professional Honors & Awards

  • Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent Rated (highest rating available)
  • “Top Rated Lawyer”, Martindale-Hubbell
  • U.S. News & World Report Best Lawyers® – Orlando 2019 “LAWYER OF THE YEAR” – Litigation-Environmental (2011-2019) and Environmental Law (2009-2019)
  • Florida Legal Elite, Florida Trend Magazine
  • Florida Super Lawyers, Super Lawyers Magazine
  • Best Lawyers in Orlando, Orlando Magazine
  • Journal of Environmental Law & Practice, Former Executive Editor
  • Orlando Chamber of Commerce, Leadership Alumni Board of Directors Member
  • Leadership Orlando, Graduate – Class 53; and Chair, Class 63
  • Seminole Community College, Applied Technologies Legal Studies Advisory Former Committee Member
  • University of Illinois Alumni Club of Greater Orlando, Immediate Past President
  • University of Illinois Alumni Association – Board of Directors, Chapters Review Committee Former Member

Memberships

  • The Florida Bar – Trial Lawyers Section – Environmental and Land Use Law Section
  • All Florida State Courts
  • U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida
  • U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida
  • Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals

Charitable Activity

Previously provided pro bono services to Seniors First, representing elderly in limited matters. Additionally volunteered to participate in the Florida Save Our Homes initiative of the Florida Bar, assisting low-income families faced with foreclosure proceedings.

Military Service

He was in the United States Air Force, serving as a forward air controller and an airways station operator. He subsequently served in the United States Air National Guard.