Ryan Nilsen

About Ryan Nilsen

With over 24 years of experience as a first-chair trial attorney, I represent clients across industries in high-stakes litigation, focusing on product liability, transportation, and hospitality litigation. My practice is nationwide, defending Fortune 500 companies, global brands, and industry leaders in complex cases involving catastrophic injuries, wrongful death, and commercial disputes.Key Practice Areas: National Trial Practice High-Exposure Defense Product Liability Hospitality & Premises Liability Proven Results in High-Stakes CasesClients turn to me for litigation strategy and courtroom advocacy in their most challenging matters. Whether defending an ATV manufacturer in California, a wrongful death suit in South Carolina, or a warehouse fire case in Texas, I bring strategic insights and trial-ready execution across all time zones. Defense Verdicts & Trial Successes- Defense verdict in a traumatic brain injury case for a major hospitality company- Won a catastrophic rollover case for a zero-turn mower manufacturer in Wisconsin- Successful four-month toxic tort trial as first-chair trial counsel- Achieved a defense verdict in a high-stakes trade secrets case in Minnesota- Four-week trial in complex product liability explosion case. Strategic Counsel for Industry Leaders- National trial counsel for a global leader in cash logistics and security services- Coordinating counsel for a premier restaurant group in California- Appellate success: Successfully argued before the Tenth Circuit for vehicle manufacturer. Multi-Million Dollar Case Resolutions- Negotiated $85 million settlement for a water treatment manufacturer in a large-scale agricultural dispute- Resolved catastrophic injury claims for vehicle manufacturers, including cases involving burns, amputations, and fatalities- Led industry-wide defense strategy for a building products manufacturer in high-rise fire panel litigation. Client-Centered Advocacy & Industry LeadershipI prioritize business-focused litigation strategies to align with my clients\' goals. My approach is built on deep industry knowledge, relentless preparation, and a results-driven mindset—whether at trial, in mediation, or as strategic business counsel.Let’s connect to discuss how I can help navigate your toughest legal challenges.

Experience

1. Partner

   Lewis Brisbois

   Oct 2017 — Present · San Diego, CA, US

   Ryan is a partner in the San Diego office of Lewis Brisbois and a member of the Products Liability Practice Group. He is a trial lawyer with 17+ years\' experience defending product manufacturers. Whether it’s an ATV crash in California, a medical-device dispute in Minnesota, or warehouse fire in Florida, Ryan is the lawyer for all time zones. He prioritizes client service and partnership, takes pride in understanding his client’s goals, and recognizes the increasing strain on legal budgets and the importance of predictability in costs, advocating for creative fee arrangements. With complex litigation experience in 43 states—and Canada—Ryan has expertise in motor vehicle, consumer product and medical device industries. In addition to his products experience, Ryan is national counsel for the security services leader in the United States. He is licensed in California, Minnesota and Wisconsin.

Education

• University of Minnesota Law School

  Doctor of Law (JD)

  1997 — 2000

• University of Minnesota

  BA, Philosophy & English

  1993 — 1997

Skills

• Appeals
• Product Liability
• Commercial Litigation
• Atv
• Class Actions
• Personal Injury
• Trial Practice
• Legal Research
• Business Litigation
• Torts
• Personal Injury Litigation
• Depositions
• Arbitration
• Litigation
• Toxic Tort
• Civil Litigation
• Trials
• Wrongful Death