Ryan Thompson, Esq. Email & Phone Number

New York, United States

• Conduct investigations for higher education institutions and K-12 schools, including Title IX, sexual harassment, civil rights, athletics, bullying, hazing, criminal, employee, and discrimination investigations; • Conduct workplace investigations for private businesses, corporations and government entities; • Serve as legal counsel or as consultant to schools, universities, private businesses, corporations, government and law enforcement agencies on harassment and… Show more • Conduct investigations for higher education institutions and K-12 schools, including Title IX, sexual harassment, civil rights, athletics, bullying, hazing, criminal, employee, and discrimination investigations; • Conduct workplace investigations for private businesses, corporations and government entities; • Serve as legal counsel or as consultant to schools, universities, private businesses, corporations, government and law enforcement agencies on harassment and discrimination matters, Title IX and sexual misconduct, internal and external investigations, and policy reform and procedures; • Serve as hearing officer or hearing panel chairman to adjudicate and render decisions in formal Title IX proceedings at colleges and universities, issuing findings on responsibility and sanctions; and also serve as appellate officer to adjudicate appeals; • Negotiate informal resolutions and internal settlements between employees, students, faculty, union members, management, and executives in order to resolve formal complaints and pre-litigation matters; • Provide expert witness testimony and objective expertise and analysis on matters involving internal and external investigations, sexual harassment and sexual assault, internal reporting procedures, whistleblower matters, and general policies governing public and private management of misconduct cases. Show less

Buffalo-Niagara Falls Area

• As University’s first full-time Title IX Coordinator and Civil Rights Officer, established the Office for Equity & Inclusion to handle all discrimination-related complaints and compliance matters, reshaping the University’s grievance and investigation processes; • Handled over 200 harassment, discrimination, Title IX, Title VII and civil rights cases and investigations, leading formal investigations of sexual assault, dating/domestic violence, sexual harassment, stalking, and… Show more • As University’s first full-time Title IX Coordinator and Civil Rights Officer, established the Office for Equity & Inclusion to handle all discrimination-related complaints and compliance matters, reshaping the University’s grievance and investigation processes; • Handled over 200 harassment, discrimination, Title IX, Title VII and civil rights cases and investigations, leading formal investigations of sexual assault, dating/domestic violence, sexual harassment, stalking, and civil rights cases; supervising outside counsel, law firms, independent and internal investigators, and an office staff of assistants, advocates and deputies; • Successfully coordinated with the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) as part of an extensive two-year Resolution Agreement; and drafted, edited and rewrote significant institutional policies and procedures in line with legislation; • Underwent over 250 hours of investigation and compliance trainings, including with the NY State Police, State University of New York (SUNY), Clery Center, Mental Health First Aid, and ATIXA Title IX Coordinator/Civil Rights Investigator trainings. Show less

Buffalo-Niagara Falls Area

• Counseled senior leadership on diverse legal issues, ranging from healthcare regulations and labor law to commercial transactions and compliance. Monitored student criminal court appearances, and counseled dean of students on legal and disciplinary proceedings, monitoring Title IX, state and federal law compliance. Served on task forces, conducted internal investigations, drafted policy, and performed contract review, evaluating risks and encouraging business development. As co-chair and… Show more • Counseled senior leadership on diverse legal issues, ranging from healthcare regulations and labor law to commercial transactions and compliance. Monitored student criminal court appearances, and counseled dean of students on legal and disciplinary proceedings, monitoring Title IX, state and federal law compliance. Served on task forces, conducted internal investigations, drafted policy, and performed contract review, evaluating risks and encouraging business development. As co-chair and creator of the Niagara Law Center, developed inaugural Continuing Legal Education (CLE) program for university, collaborating with local attorneys, bar associations, judges and courts to design, develop and market CLE courses in Western New York. Controlled all logistics, marketing, and managed all finances, ensuring profitability and future growth. Show less

Buffalo-Niagara Falls Area

Taught core writing courses to university freshman and sophomores, with focus on instilling practical, real-world writing skills. Tailored courses to be innovative, experiential and nontraditional in methodology and material focus, disseminating knowledge obtained from years of actual experience. Facilitated communication with high-level officials and business professionals, as well as interaction with greater community. Promoted practical development of student proficiency, including teaching… Show more Taught core writing courses to university freshman and sophomores, with focus on instilling practical, real-world writing skills. Tailored courses to be innovative, experiential and nontraditional in methodology and material focus, disseminating knowledge obtained from years of actual experience. Facilitated communication with high-level officials and business professionals, as well as interaction with greater community. Promoted practical development of student proficiency, including teaching proper email etiquette, effective complaint procedures, self-reflection, artistic review, creative fiction and proper journalism. Edited and successfully submitted some students for publication in daily newspapers.Other Academic Courses & Lectures: Decapitated Head Honors Program Lecture (Niagara University, 2015); Media Management for Lawyers: What Every Attorney Should Know About Dealing With the Press (Niagara Law Center, 2014); Legal Research & Writing, Criminal Procedure, Criminal Courts (Bryant & Stratton College, 2013); Media, Bankruptcy, Real Estate, Legal Research, Torts, Wills and Trusts (SUNY Empire State College, 2013) Show less

New York, Ny And Buffalo, Ny

Author on expert witness analysis for IMS ExpertServices, with articles published in National Law Review. Research developments in expert witness evidence law, with concentration on civil procedure, patent law, financial transactions, cryptocurrencies and commodities. Further acted as solo practitioner and freelance writer in various legal realms, both criminal and civil. Worked “of counsel” and “per diem” for law firms and law offices, specializing in civil litigation, appearing in court on… Show more Author on expert witness analysis for IMS ExpertServices, with articles published in National Law Review. Research developments in expert witness evidence law, with concentration on civil procedure, patent law, financial transactions, cryptocurrencies and commodities. Further acted as solo practitioner and freelance writer in various legal realms, both criminal and civil. Worked “of counsel” and “per diem” for law firms and law offices, specializing in civil litigation, appearing in court on commercial and real estate proceedings. Drafted contracts, represented criminal and civil defendants, arbitrated union grievances, negotiated settlements, and further acted in tax accountant capacity for limited liability company, including handling the formation and filing for the LLC. Show less

Brooklyn, Ny

Oversaw, operated and managed entire legal section of daily newspaper, making all decisions as to content, strategy and design. Wrote and/or edited court-related stories, from murder and mafia trials to personal injury proceedings and lawyer-related legislation. Trained, mentored and supervised reporters, with particular emphasis on investigative journalism techniques. Took photographs, designed graphics and single-handedly produced all page copy/art for printer. Maintained relations with local… Show more Oversaw, operated and managed entire legal section of daily newspaper, making all decisions as to content, strategy and design. Wrote and/or edited court-related stories, from murder and mafia trials to personal injury proceedings and lawyer-related legislation. Trained, mentored and supervised reporters, with particular emphasis on investigative journalism techniques. Took photographs, designed graphics and single-handedly produced all page copy/art for printer. Maintained relations with local judiciary and legal community to continue newspaper’s role as Brooklyn courts’ paper of record. Assisted in overall management.•Freelance photography: Buffalo News, NFL Draft, 2009; NY1 TV, snowstorm, 2010; CU Independent, NIT basketball final four, 2011 •Lectures: “Career Conversations: Non-Traditional Career Paths,” Brooklyn Law School, 2011-2012 “The Decapitated Head, and Other Newspaper Tales,” NYC P.S. 506 School of Journalism, 2009-2011 “Federal Agents and the Investigating Media,” IRS Criminal Investigation Division, Manhattan, 2010 Show less

New York, Ny

At Fifth Avenue law firm, represented individual, business, corporate and celebrity clients in all phases of litigation, concentrating in the legal fields of real estate, landlord-tenant, criminal and family law. Conducted trials, inquests, oral arguments and depositions.

Cambridge, Ma

Reported on and wrote stories focusing on crime, courts and politics during the final era of investigative street journalism. Edited stories, took photographs and wrote columns. Assisted in overall management and strategy of community newspaper. •Freelance: National Press Photographers Association “One Shot” magazine cover story, 2001•Awards: Community Newspaper Company award for community service, 2000; general excellence, 2000, 2001 New England Press… Show more Reported on and wrote stories focusing on crime, courts and politics during the final era of investigative street journalism. Edited stories, took photographs and wrote columns. Assisted in overall management and strategy of community newspaper. •Freelance: National Press Photographers Association “One Shot” magazine cover story, 2001•Awards: Community Newspaper Company award for community service, 2000; general excellence, 2000, 2001 New England Press Association award for coverage of racial and ethnic issues, 2000 Show less

The Brazen Head (head bartender; 2005-2007); BLS Legal Services Corp. (innocence project investigator, 2003-2004); Kings County District Attorney's Office (student assistant district attorney, 2003); Boulder Daily Camera (newspaper reporting intern, 1999), U.S Marshals Service (warrant squad intern, 1997)

Doctor Of Law - Jd, Law

Bachelor Of Science - Bs, Journalism

Study Abroad, Northern Ireland & Irish Politics

High School Diploma