Advocacy
Ryan D. Very, Esq.

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.

Most of the things worth doing in the world had been declared impossible before they were done.
Justice Brandeis
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
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