Ryan applies his diverse experience both as a transactional attorney and as a litigator to assist clients in multiple facets of the law, and help them find creative solutions to achieve their business objectives.
Ryan’s core practice involves representing businesses in corporate matters, ranging from mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance, reorganization, and licensing. His distinctive experience, gained from prior practice at a bankruptcy firm in San Diego, equips him to assist clients in resolving a myriad of corporate issues. Additionally, he possesses expertise in the banking and finance sector, representing financial institutions in matters related to commercial real estate and corporate financing.
Ryan is a member of the Hawai‘i State Bar and the California State Bar. Ryan is actively involved in various legal and community organizations, and is a co-chair of the Hawaii State Bar Association Civic Education Committee and an editor of the Hawai‘i Bar Journal. He previously served as the Vice President of the Hawai‘i Bankruptcy Bar Association and as a director of the Hawai‘i State Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Division.
Born and raised in Honolulu, Ryan is a graduate of ‘Iolani School. He received his Bachelor of Business Administration with a concentration in International Business from Gonzaga University, and his Juris Doctorate from the University of San Diego School of Law. Ryan was selected by Pacific Business News as a 2023 40 Under 40 Award honoree and has been recognized by both Best Lawyers and Super Lawyers.
Experience
- Representing international and national businesses on franchising agreements and licensing in relation to expanding into Hawai‘i
- Represented clients involving the multi-million-dollar sale of businesses and assets
- Represented large, secured lenders in Chapter 11 hotel bankruptcy proceedings
- Represented defendants at trial in a fraudulent transfer adversary proceeding (Bankruptcy Court)
- Represented the interests of secured lenders, financial institutions, and insurers in various state court and federal court proceedings
- Represented landlords and tenants in connection with leasing of shopping centers and office space
- Represented debtors in Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy proceedings
Awards
- Listed in Best Lawyers®, since 2026
- Pacific Business News 40 Under 40 Class of 2023
- Listed in Best Lawyers®, Ones to Watch, 2021-2022
- Listed in Super Lawyers®, Rising Stars, 2017-2020
Community Involvement
- The GIFT Foundation of Hawai‘i, Board Member
- Court Annexed Arbitration Program
- Legal Lines
- Volunteer Attorney for State of Hawai‘i Business Action Center
- Lawyers in the Schools
- Pro bono legal information clinics
Education
- J.D. (2010), University of San Diego, School of Law
- B.B.A. (2007), Gonzaga University
Admissions
- Hawai‘i State Bar (2011)
- California State Bar (2010) (Inactive)
- United States District Court for the District of Hawai‘i (2011)
- United States District Court for the Eastern District of California (2010)
- United States District Court for the Central District of California (2011)
- United States District Court for the Southern District of California (2011)
Membership
- Hawai‘i State Bar (2011)
- California State Bar (2010)
- Hawaii State Bar Association, Civic Education Committee, Co-Chair (2015-Present)
- Hawaii State Bar Association, Publications Committee, Editor (2015-2025)
- Hawai‘i Bankruptcy Bar Association, Director (2014-2015); Vice President (2015)
- Hawaii State Bar Association, Young Lawyers Division, Director (2013-2014)
- Hawaii State Bar Association, Strategic Planning Committee, Member (2013)
- Hawaii State Bar Association, Delivery of Legal Services to the Public, Member (2013)
- Hawaii State Bar Association, Member Benefits Committee, Member (2013)
- “Our Interim Final Update on the Corporate Transparency Act” in ke kumu, Summer 2025, Co-Author
- “Business Entity Basics” in Hawaii Bar Journal, February 2025, Co-Author
- “Getting Ready for the Corporate Transparency Act” in ke kumu, Fall/Winter 2023, Author
- “Updates from Cades Schutte’s Coronavirus Response Team” in ke kumu, Spring/Summer 2021, Co-Author
- Hawaii Collection & Bankruptcy Law Manual, 4th Edition, 2023, Contributor
- “Estate Planning for My Business,” Cades Schutte’s Corporate Counsel CLE Seminar (2023) (Co-Presenter)
- “Avoiding Ethical and Malpractice Pitfalls,” Hawaii State Bar Association 2014 Bar Convention & Annual Meeting (2014) (Panelist)
- “Legal Documentation Preparation Class,” Kapiolani Community College (Fall 2013 and Fall 2014) (Guest Lecturer)
