Father, Attorney & Advocate of Assisted Reproduction
Ryan's career as an Assisted Reproduction Technology attorney was born of a personal, four-year infertility struggle shared with his wife. This challenging experience to start his own family gives Ryan a unique perspective - one of an intended father, a party to a gestational surrogacy agreement, and an experienced attorney - to fully understand the emotional, practical, and legal issues facing patients when pursuing infertility treatments. Ryan's appreciation for the process has furthered his commitment to support his clients in all aspects of the third-party reproduction process. He brings a motivation to each relationship based on his own infertility journey, empathy for the incomparable path to parenthood, and the individualized hope that assisted reproductive technology brings to intended parents and the selfless individuals who sacrifice so much to help those who dream of becoming parents.
Once an intended Father...
Why did Ryan dedicate his life and career to the infertility community and assisted reproductive technology law?
He focuses on third-party reproduction, representing intended parents, gestational surrogates, egg donors, sperm providers, and individuals pursuing arrangements utilizing assisted reproduction techniques. After walking away from a career in tax law, Ryan turned his attention to assisted reproductive technology law and the needs of families. He wants to raise the profile and awareness of the infertility community through professional and personal involvement, provide support of the continued progress in the treatment of infertility, and challenge the forces that might deny others the very same opportunity to be a parent for which he is so thankful.
Once an intended father, forever a champion of modern family creation
Ryan appreciates that every experience is unique - you may be a couple dealing with an infertility diagnosis, or a same-sex couple using ART for family formation, or a single person seeking a path to parenthood. No matter the circumstance, Ryan has deep admiration for the steadfastness of the individuals involved, the courage of the community at large, and the determination of the movement.
Ryan earned his J.D. from The John Marshall Law School in Chicago and Bachelor's Degree in Finance from Ohio University in Athens, Ohio. Ryan is a professional member of RESOLVE, the American Bar Association, the Illinois State Bar Association, and the Chicago Bar Association.
A native of Cleveland, Ohio, Ryan has made Chicago home with his wife, Lyndsie. They are the proud parents of a son born in October 2017 after years of battling infertility. This was only possible because of the selflessness and grace of their gestational surrogate, the expert care of countless medical professionals, and the relentless advocacy of attorneys, agencies, and the ART pioneers for whom they will be forever grateful. Ryan hopes that his son will share some of his interests, including the Cleveland Browns and Indians, live music, the movie theater, and his adopted home of almost 20 years, Chicago. Above all, he wants his son to know that he is the inspiration for this practice and forever the motivation to champion assisted reproduction technology, help others who want to be parents, or counsel those who play a selfless part in the process.
“After finally overcoming the frustration and sadness of infertility, we were very anxious about the legal process with regard to our embryo donor and surrogacy arrangement. Ryan made sure that we never had to worry about our contract or legal rights as parents. We are grateful for his knowledge, his compassion, and the results.”