By Appointment Only
Send E-mail to:
p_ryan45@att.net
(916) 965-6298 ● (916) 863-5379 Fax
4088 Bridge Street, Suite 8 ● Fair Oaks, CA 95628
Personal Background Information
Education
JD
Western State University, College of Law, 1976
BA
St. Mary’s College, 1967
Major: Psychology
Minors: Philosophy, World Literature
Legal Credentials
Admitted to California Bar, 1977 (California State Bar #074984)
Member: National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives
Legal Experience
25 years of Public Agency Litigation Experience:
8 years in private practice.
Senior Attorney for California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS):
Handled several hundred cases, more than half of which involved entitlement to disability retirement. Other cases handled on behalf of CalPERS involved health benefit eligibility issues, long-term care eligibility, community property, probate, insurance defense, subrogation, fiduciary liability, general government law and administrative law. Obtained many favorable decisions from the Courts of Appeal.
Legal Counsel: California Health Facilities Commission:
Handled more than 100 administrative appeals. Practice included health law, legislation, lobbying and litigation management.
Honors and Awards
Academic:
American Jurisprudence Award for scholastic achievement in Criminal Law.
Military:
U.S. Army Awards include: Bronze Star Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Vietnam Gallantry Cross, Vietnam Service Medal and National Defense Service Medal.
Other:
Commendation from the Northern California Multiple Sclerosis Society.
Personality and Philosophy
- I encourage my clients to be well-informed about their cases.
- I am willing to review documents prepared by clients.
- I am willing to coach or advise clients who want to represent themselves.
- I have always wanted people to be treated fairly. Practicing law is a way to help people get fair treatment.
- I also enjoy developing written and oral arguments.
- I have a special interest in psychiatric disabilities. I majored in psychology and I have maintained an interest in it throughout my adult life. I have an ability to understand medical and psychiatric illnesses and their causes. This helps me represent clients with medical-legal issues.
- What I like best about my career is that my efforts often improve the lives of my clients when they are awarded disability benefits.
- I am a solo practitioner and I handle all aspects of my clients' cases.
- I believe in involving my clients in decision making with respect to their cases.
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