Paul W. Ryan
Founding Partner
Paul is a tireless advocate who provides clients with sophisticated and results-oriented counsel. To every client matter, he brings nearly a decade of experience as a Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) enforcement lawyer and significant expertise representing individuals, corporations, and trading firms in criminal, government enforcement, and civil matters. He has represented dozens of clients accused of insider trading and defeated the SEC in a high-profile insider trading trial. In its coverage of that case, the New York Times noted that the win on appeal “marked a rare loss” for the SEC. Media outlets like CNBC frequently call on Paul to discuss breaking legal developments.
As an SEC Senior Counsel, Paul conducted dozens of investigations, including numerous parallel investigations with prosecutors from the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York. He served as the lead attorney in matters involving complex securities fraud, accounting fraud, insider trading, fraudulent securities offerings, mutual fund market-timing, late trading, and non-compliance with disclosure rules.
Before co-founding Serpe Ryan LLP, Paul served as in-house counsel at Pfizer where he advised the marketing teams for global commercial products. Prior to his tenure at the SEC, Paul also worked in the litigation departments of two of New York’s top law firms and served as a law clerk for the Honorable I. Leo Glasser in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York.
Honors
- New York Metro Super Lawyer since 2015
- Two-time recipient of the SEC Director’s award for Outstanding Contribution to Enforcement
Professional Associations
- The New York State Bar Association’s Committee on White Collar Criminal Litigation
- Federal Bar Council
- New York City Bar Association
Publications and Lectures
- Contributing Author: SEC Compliance and Enforcement Answer Book
- Presenter: Recent Developments in Insider Trading Law (2016)
- Presenter: SEC Administrative Proceedings: Winning on the SEC’s Home Court (2016)
Education
- J.D., New York University School of Law, cum laude, Staff Editor for the New York University Law Review
- B.A., Georgetown University, cum laude
Clerkship
- The Honorable I. Leo Glasser, United States District Court, E.D.N.Y.
Admissions
- New York
- U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York
| Paul W. Ryan |
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Testimonials
Paul & Silvia were relentless in their well-researched, well-constructed, and well-delivered presentation of my case. In the end, they were able to get the insurance company to write a check for more money than I ever thought possible. They are smart, direct, available, honest, and compassionate...and they have earned my highest recommendation.
Josh B.
Paul Ryan is an amazing lawyer. Beyond being knowledgeable, he's always available. He makes every effort to accommodate you as a priority, whether it's in the preparation process or beyond. Most importantly, Paul has a natural way of conveying trust that I rarely encountered before. Very early on, he gave me complete confidence that he was best suited to represent me. Paul is a gem, and I highly recommend him!
Nicolas C.
Paul Ryan and the Serpe Ryan team helped me through a very emotional multifaceted case. I truly felt they believed in me and my integrity and helped me practice patience through a long, frustrating process. Paul was always available, responsive and insightful. Serpe Ryan is professional, accommodating, direct, and did a masterful job orchestrating the lawsuit.
H.R.
I met Silvia at the most difficult moment of my life - I was prosecuted by the federal government and the SEC for insider trading. Silvia and her partner Paul worked as a team to represent me for both criminal and civil cases with the SEC. They negotiated with the SEC to reduce the size of my fine. During sentencing, Silvia also helped me to negotiate better terms of my supervised release. I highly recommend Silvia and Paul, for their deep knowledge, compassion, dedication, and willingness to put extra effort to fight for their clients.
Dimitry B.
I had the distinct pleasure and privilege to work with and learn from Silvia Serpe. Anytime I am involved in a complicated legal case I seek her guidance, which is indispensable to me and has allowed me to grow professionally.
Irina S.
During a time in my life when it seemed as if the walls were closing in on me, Silvia Serpe and Paul Ryan settled me down and lifted me up and then skillfully guided me back to a better place. I cannot say enough about the professionalism and compassion these two amazing attorneys displayed in handling me, and my complex case.
Sam B.
I came to Serpe Ryan LLP regarding a legal dispute around a complex financial dispute and little hope of ever recovering what was owed to me. The team quickly came to understand the matter, the opposing party, and worked with me in a highly responsive manner to far exceed the outcome I had expected. Serpe Ryan LLP offers both the high talent of a white-shoe firm alongside the practicality and responsiveness that comes with working with a boutique practice.
Alexander B.
The law firm of Serpe Ryan LLP was obtained for me by my employer. From my first meeting to the last interview with the Government, it couldn't have gone better. Both Paul and Silvia were professional and knowledgeable; they prepared me for my meetings with such ease and expertise. They made a very unique experience as pleasant as possible.
Gail P.
Serpe Ryan is an outstanding firm with experienced professionals that deliver exceptional results. Silvia and Paul's qualifications and knowledge are superior and they do not miss a beat. They are honest and on point with everything and make you feel comfortable the whole way, regardless of the temperature of the situation.
P.I.
Paul W. Ryan is courteous and a tenacious fighter. I felt like a high priority to him through our experience. He is well versed and gave very good advice. He was also a bulldog when it was necessary. I HIGHLY recommend this firm.
Joseph Z.
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