Ryan Estes

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.

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

  • Veterans Task Force/Justice Seymour Simon Award, 2021-2022
  • Los Angeles County Bar Association/Counsel for Justice Outstanding Service Award, 2020
  • Super Lawyers, Southern California Rising Star, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2022
  • USC Law Shattuck Award: High Potential for Outstanding Service to the Legal Profession, 2013
  • USC Order of Areté: Significant Depth and Scope of Responsibility in a Leadership Role, 2013

Pro Bono

Ryan is extensively involved in helping Los Angeles County's veteran population through DLA Piper's pro bono projects, including the Los Angeles County Bar Association's Counsel for Justice Veterans Legal Service Project. Under Ryan's leadership, DLA Piper has joined forces with the LACBA Counsel for Justice Veterans Legal Service Project to host multiple traffic court and expungement clinics. Ryan's proudest achievements in his pro bono work include assisting veterans with applying for discharge upgrades and clearing their military records of Bad Paper.

In 2020, Ryan was selected to join the Legal Services Corporation Veterans Task Force as a Legal Issues Committee Member. For more information on the Veterans Task Force, please visit: https://www.lsc.gov/veterans-task-force.

  • Board of Directors, Los Angeles County Bar Association Council for Justice, 2021 – present
Pro Bono Mentions:
  • "DLA Piper removes barriers to veteran advancement through employability program," DLA Piper News, February 15, 2022

Seminars

  • Moderator, BRIDGE Fireside Chat Series with VP, Law Nicole Gates of Dr. Suess Enterprises, February 27, 2024
  • Presenter, Subpoena Etiquette MCLE, February 26, 2024
  • Moot Court Justice, University of Southern California Hale Moot Court Honors Program, February 12, 2024
  • Panelist, University of California, Irvine School of Law - Saturday Academy of Law Attorney Panel, October 28, 2023
  • Panelist, National Training - Diversity & Inclusion Welcome, June 15, 2022
  • Panelist, USC Gould’s Virtual Meet the Firm Night, USC Gould School of Law, June 8, 2022
  • Panelist, Big Law 101: Thriving in a Demanding Environment, NBLSA Convention, March 18, 2022
  • Panelist, 2022 Black History Month Webinar, February 24, 2022
  • Panelist, Alumni Panel, USC Gould School of Law, February 18, 2022
  • Panelist, Harvard West Coast Club 1L Event, February 2022
  • Moderator, John M. Langston Bar Association Panel, February 2017

Media Mentions

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

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