Ryan Wessels Email & Phone Number

Stanford, CA, US

San Francisco, California, US

I handle both single-plaintiff cases and class actions and defend clients of all sizes, including small nonprofits, family-owned businesses, and global corporations. I have defended employers against discrimination, harassment, and retaliation claims in state and federal court and before administrative agencies across the country. I have also resolved wage.

• Conducted direct and cross examinations of witnesses in evidentiary hearings
• Drafted motions for and argued at several hearings, including regarding evidence suppression, early release, and sentencing guidelines

• Cross-examined medical and vocational experts at a Supplemental Security Income (SSI) hearing
• Negotiated a favorable settlement on behalf of a client facing an unlawful detainer
• Successfully assisted a client in expunging a conviction from his criminal record

Washington, DC, US

• Researched and drafted memoranda on substantive and procedural criminal matters including conspiracy law, sentencing guidelines, and warrants for cell-site location information
• Managed federal misdemeanor cases, including taking guilty pleas in federal court
• Drafted briefs on behalf of the United States in opposition to severance motions and habeas petitions

• Managed the practice’s probate department, from preparing initial petitions to distributing estate assets, including overseeing a $16,000,000 estate with over thirty rental properties
• Drafted estate planning documents for clients including wills, trusts, grant deeds, durable power of attorneys and advance health care directives
• Advised on content of oral arguments and participated in litigation and mediation strategy
• Reviewed and proofread motions and appellate briefs
• Interviewed and assisted clients regarding their estate plans or probate needs

Los Angeles, California, US

• Analyzed financial documents, conference call transcripts, and press releases for evidence of securities fraud, helping the firm generate millions of dollars in revenue
• Researched major class action decisions, settlement amounts, and attorney’s fees for use in legal filings
• Managed the discovery process including drafting production protocols, coordinating the schedule and process with defense counsel, and formatting and uploading productions onto Summation

Claremont, CA, US

• Conducted research for expert testimony used in the landmark court case, Perry v. Brown, including Proposition 8 contribution data, newspaper endorsements, amicus briefs, domestic partnership legislation, and academic.
• Created a database and analyzed legal challenges of 286 legal challenges to state ballot initiatives, which was published in Professor Ken Miller’s "Direct Democracy and the Courts"
• Published a Cost of Doing Business Survey for the top 50 U.S. and California cities

Oakland, CA, US

• Set curriculum, planned and taught three classes for middle school children
• Mentored 10 highly motivated, low-income students and oversaw activities for 100 children

Doctor Of Law (J.D.), Law

Bachelor Of Arts, Economics And Legal Studies