On Friday, October 11, 2024, the Director of the Office of Lawyers Professional Responsibility filed a petition with the Minnesota Supreme Court seeking disciplinary action against attorney John Ryan.
The case is entitled “In the Matter of John Ryan.”
The petition outlines that Ryan has been working as in-house counsel and later general counsel for a Minnesota-based corporation since 2008. Although Ryan is licensed to practice law in Wisconsin, he has never obtained a Minnesota law license. Minnesota rules state that any attorneys working as in-house counsel for a company headquartered in the state must be admitted to the Minnesota Bar.
For over 16 years, Ryan advised the corporation on various legal issues related to Minnesota law such as employment matters, medical regulations, and business transactions. He also supervised other attorneys and represented the corporation in court cases. Ryan lived in Minnesota and worked out of the company’s office in Brooklyn Park.
According to the document, Ryan does not qualify for any temporary practice exceptions as his work was long-term in nature. The petition alleges Ryan violated Minnesota rules by practicing law without a valid license and essentially holding himself out as licensed in the state.
The petition states:
“WHEREFORE, the Director respectfully prays for an order of this Court imposing appropriate discipline, awarding costs and disbursements pursuant to the Rules on Lawyers Professional Responsibility, and for such other further or different relief as may be just and proper.”
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
