James A. Ryan

James Ryan is an Associate Attorney at Dawda PLC. His practice focuses on corporate law and real estate. He advises clients on transactional matters, corporate governance, and commercial real estate transactions, with particular emphasis on mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, and corporate structuring. Drawing from his experience in commercial litigation and his work with emerging businesses, James brings a comprehensive perspective to helping clients navigate complex legal and business challenges.

James graduated from the University of Wisconsin Law School in 2024, where he received his business law certificate of concentration with honors. He was the recipient of the prestigious Samson Fellowship, a merit-based award recognizing academic excellence. During his time at UW Law, James served as Vice President of the Real Estate and Securities Investments Society, demonstrating his commitment to professional development in his practice areas.

While in law school, James served as a student attorney at the Wisconsin Law & Entrepreneurship Clinic, where he gained substantive transactional experience. He drafted operating agreements for scaling service businesses, prepared partnership agreements for entrepreneurs launching new applications, and assisted in negotiating leasing contracts for nonprofit organizations to ensure compliance with tax credit regulations. This experience developed his practical skills in structuring business entities and advising entrepreneurs on legal and operational matters.

James also served as a judicial intern at the Wisconsin Supreme Court for Justice Rebecca G. Bradley. In this capacity, he drafted bench memoranda summarizing case facts and procedural posture while providing recommended rulings. He conducted extensive legal research into statutory interpretation and constitutional issues to assist the Justices in preparing for oral arguments. This experience strengthened his analytical abilities and deepened his understanding of appellate practice and judicial decision-making.

Prior to law school, James earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and Government with honors from Michigan State University in 2018. He achieved Dean’s List recognition in four of five semesters during his undergraduate studies at Michigan State.

Before joining Dawda PLC, James practiced as an Associate Attorney at Foster Swift Collins & Smith, PC, where he specialized in commercial litigation and corporate transactional work. He assisted in the due diligence process for mergers, acquisitions, and investment transactions. His work included advising on the structuring of joint ventures, assessing equity contributions, and drafting debt financing arrangements and mutual non-disclosure agreements. He also drafted corporate governance documents, including bylaws, operating agreements, and shareholder agreements, as well as purchase and sale agreements for commercial assets. Previously, he served as a Summer Associate at Foster Swift in 2023.

James’s approach to client service emphasizes thorough analysis, practical solutions, and clear communication. He is committed to delivering strategic counsel that protects his clients’ interests while helping them achieve their business objectives.