Proprietor
Ryan D. Very, Esq.
Ryan Very spearheads one of Pittsburgh’s fastest-growing, most well-respected law firms. He’s built a full-service practice working with a diverse array of clients: trade associations, teachers, business owners, unions, large corporations, and the ordinary citizen.
A fourth-generation Pittsburgher, Mr. Very was born the posthumous grandson of Attorney Donald L. Very, a legal legend with a national reputation for bridge-building. From a young age, Ryan Very knew he would follow in his grandfather's footsteps. He embarked on a career to help bring law to the public.
After attending a top-twenty law school, Mr. Very was awarded a fellowship with one of the most esteemed legal institutions in American history, the American Civil Liberties Union. While there, Mr. Very helped legalize same-sex marriage in Pennsylvania, learning that precedent-setting cases require outside-the-box thinking. After his fellowship, Mr. Very started a law practice from his attic apartment to help his roommate victimized by a scam.
Now a litigator with a proven track record, Mr. Very is drawn to unconventional and challenging cases. He prefers to take sides with the underdog. He knows there is no one-size-fits-all approach to practicing law. He hand-selects his multidisciplinary team for their creativity, diverse professional backgrounds, and senses of humor.
Mr. Very also believes that large firm resources and tailor-made solutions are not mutually exclusive. For some clients, the goal is to win at all costs. For smaller clients facing bet-the-company litigation, Mr. Very figures out the pressure points for settlement, without getting distracted by expensive sideshows.
Education
- J.D., Boston University
- M.A., Boston University
- B.A., University of Pittsburgh, summa cum laude
Admissions
- U.S. Supreme Court
- U.S. Tax Court
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
- U.S. District Court for the Western District of PA
- Supreme Court of PA
Affiliations
- American Bar
- Pennsylvania Bar
- Allegheny County Bar
- Western Pennsylvania Trial Lawyers Association
Appointments
- Arbitrator, Fifth Judicial District of Pennsylvania (2015-present)
- Chair, County Referral Committee (2018-2023)
- Member, ACLU Legal Committee (2013-present)
- Member, Disciplinary Board Hearing Committee (2021-present)
- Member, Western Pennsylvania Trial Lawyers Association (2023-present)
Engagements
- Moderator, 'Lead Generation and Conversion,' Allegheny County Bar Continuing Legal Education
- Panelist, 'Debtors' Prisons in Pennsylvania,' Pennsylvania Bar Minority Attorney Conference
- Panelist, Diverse Law Student Career Sampler, Allegheny County Bar
- Panelist, 'Law Firm Economics,' University of Pittsburgh School of Law
- Panelist, 'Overcoming Self-Doubt,' Allegheny County Bench Bar
- Speaker, 'Pennsylvania Filial Support Law,' Allegheny County Bar Elder Law Committee
- Speaker, 'Race, Civil Rights, and the Police,' Pittsburgh Black Male Leadership Development Initiative
Awards
- Super Lawyers Rising Star
- ACLU Law Fellow
Law Firm Results
- Achieved pain and suffering settlement in insurance bad faith matter
- Negotiated pay increase for music professor falsely accused of racial discrimination
- Withdrew three felony burglary charges at first stage of proceeding in exchange for community service
- Reunited falsely-accused father with children following unconstitutional CYS separation
- Negotiated release of commercial lessee one year into five year lease for two months' rent and security deposit
- Reduced property owner’s tax assessed value by $77,500
- Negotiated withdrawal of five felony charges in theft matter
- Litigated $0 award in seller disclosure suit
- Granted motion for reconsideration based on an error of law for premature dismissal of defamation claims
- Lifted parental public school ban
- Awarded verdict piercing contractor's corporate veil
- Settled two rape suits for nuisance damages, gag agreement, and zero-dollar withdrawal with prejudice on behalf of falsely accused teachers
- Six figure verdict in business fraud matter
- Recovered six figure judgment in breach of contract matter
- Not guilty jury verdict on three felony counts in access device fraud matter