Ryan A. Williams

Insurance Defense
Claims and litigation management, particularly in the areas of premises liability and catastrophic personal injury, is a mainstay of Ryan’s practice. Recognized for his involvement in high-exposure cases, he also handles more modest and less far-reaching matters with the same levels of rigor and discipline. Ryan's experience in both trial and appellate courts, combined with pragmatism and a willingness to work toward outcomes in his clients’ best interest, provides tailored resolutions to their most complex problems. Often engaged as monitoring counsel, Ryan provides prompt analysis and evaluation of the claim exposure, manages the progress and cost of the defense, and assists in negotiating the insurer’s settlement contribution.

Construction
With a broad perspective on statutory requirements and case law in jurisdictions throughout the country, Ryan provides experienced counsel in managing liability resulting from construction defects and accidents. Throughout the project development continuum − from planning, to design, to construction, to the efficacy of completed projects − he analyzes and handles complex construction defect and delay claims under typical general liability and payment and performance bonds, as well as subcontractor default insurance and consolidated insurance programs. Ryan also has extensive experience in construction accident claims, including claims for property damage and personal injury arising out of crane and equipment failures, and construction product liability. Among Ryan’s notable accomplishments is a published decision by the Colorado Supreme Court concerning the applicability to construction professionals of certain provisions of the Workers’ Compensation Act of Colorado.

Commercial Transportation
Ryan offers a “cross-practice” approach to commercial transportation clients, frequently collaborating with colleagues throughout the firm in litigated, regulatory and administrative matters. He engages with the firm’s 24/7 emergency response team for catastrophic events, and is a trusted adviser to insurers and self-insureds or point of contact counsel for litigation needs.

Professional Liability/Architects & Engineers
Ryan serves as co-chair of the firm’s Design Professionals Practice. In defending malpractice suits and providing pre-claim counsel to architects and engineers, Ryan boasts an enviable record of helping clients contain or avoid financial damages from the claims that increasingly characterize this area of law. He represents design professionals through all phases of construction litigation and counsel and, given Wilson Elser’s national footprint, he can obtain on-the-ground resources to serve them in different geographies. The firm’s attorneys work seamlessly across practices and jurisdictions, aligning the firm’s resources with each client’s individual requirements.

Commercial Litigation
Ryan's practice includes commercial and breach of contract lawsuits as well as a background in corporate transactional matters, and reviewing, drafting and negotiating contracts, leases and credit and security agreements.