

Thomas D. Ryerson
- Phoenix
Notice
Before proceeding, please note: If you are not a current client of Perkins Coie, please do not include any information in this e-mail that you or someone else considers to be of a confidential or secret nature. Perkins Coie has no duty to keep confidential any of the information you provide. Neither the transmission nor receipt of your information is considered a request for legal advice, securing or retaining a lawyer. An attorney-client relationship with Perkins Coie or any lawyer at Perkins Coie is not established until and unless Perkins Coie agrees to such a relationship as memorialized in a separate writing.
Thomas helps clients litigate complex commercial disputes, defend against criminal charges, respond to government enforcement actions, and conduct internal investigations.
Thomas Ryerson is an experienced litigator, advocating for clients in high-stakes civil and criminal cases. He is ranked as a leading lawyer by Chambers USA, in which he was lauded as “a formidable opponent in litigation,” who “always serves his clients very well” and “distills concepts for others who don't have the background or expertise.”
Thomas litigates both civil and criminal cases in federal and state courts, while also representing numerous clients in complex commercial arbitration. These matters arise across many industry sectors, including construction, real estate, financial services, energy, agriculture, gaming, aerospace, pharmaceuticals, and securities. Thomas also represents public agencies in a variety of matters, including those relating to state and federal constitutional law.
In connection with government investigations and criminal proceedings, Thomas represents individual and corporate defendants in federal and state courts, as well as in front of government agencies. He advises clients in nearly all stages of enforcement, from the initial investigation through sentencing, and regularly conducts internal investigations in anticipation of government scrutiny or other legal exposure.
Prior to joining the firm, Thomas served as a law clerk to the Hon. Rebecca Berch of the Supreme Court of Arizona.
Areas of focus
Education & Credentials
Education
- William & Mary Law School, J.D., Order of the Coif, William and Mary Law Review, 2010
- Oregon State University, B.S., American Studies, summa cum laude, 2007
Bar and Court Admissions
-
Arizona
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
- U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona
Clerkships
- Hon. Rebecca Berch, Supreme Court of Arizona
Professional Recognition
Recognized by Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch for Commercial Litigation Law; Criminal Defense: White-Collar Law, 2021-2025
Listed in Chambers USA as an "Up and Coming" Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigation Lawyer, 2020-2024
Listed as a "Super Lawyer" by Southwest Super Lawyers, 2024-2025
Listed as a “Rising Star” in Southwest Super Lawyers, 2016-2020
Impact
Professional Leadership
- Maricopa County Superior Court, Judge Pro Tem
- Arizona State University, Sandra Day O'Connor School of Law, Adjunct Professor
- National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Member
- Arizona Attorneys for Criminal Justice, Member