Ike Ryan APLC

I am a Louisiana attorney with 25+ years of litigation and appellate experience. After graduating LSU Law School, I had the pleasure of clerking for Hon. Jeannette T. Knoll at both the Louisiana Supreme Court and the Third Circuit Court of Appeals.

For the next two decades, I enjoyed the fellowship and collegiality of the excellent attorneys at Deutsch Kerrigan, LLP. I handled a general commercial and defense oriented litigation docket, which included products liability, medical malpractice, toxic tort, class action, commercial disputes, employment litigation, and general casualty and personal injury cases. Since 2013, I have been named a “Best Lawyer” by U.S. News in the following areas: Appellate Practice, Commercial Litigation, Health Care Law, Litigation – Insurance, Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Defendants, Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants, and Product Liability Litigation – Defendants.

I’ve had numerous successes at the Louisiana Supreme Court, the United States Fifth Circuit, and every circuit court of appeal in Louisiana. In 2023, my colleagues voted me Lawyer of the Year for Appellate Practice.

I have a direct, solutions-oriented approach to the practice of law. I try to anticipate the trajectory of a case early, and I work to discover and exploit the angles that offer the best chance of a successful and cost-effective resolution.

Selected Results

• Bommarito v. Belle Chasse Marine (5th Cir. 2025) — wrongful-death damages reversed; illegal-drug overdose held a superseding cause as a matter of first impression in this Circuit. Affirmed liability for the workplace injury, but stripped the overdose-based wrongful-death award.
• Barber Brothers / Cushenberry (La. 2024) — comparative fault reallocated 20% to the plaintiff; that allocation survived rehearing. On rehearing the Court reinstated the $10.75 million general-damage award while still cutting the consortium awards.
• Planchard v. New Hotel Monteleone (La. 2021) — summary judgment for the hotel after brass-and-oak wet-floor signs; trial court reversed. The Supreme Court held four brass-and-oak caution placards fulfilled the hotel’s duty as a matter of law.
• Allen v. United States Postal Service (5th Cir. 2023) — “same actor” presumption rejected; discrimination claim remanded for trial. The Fifth Circuit held the “same actor” presumption does not apply when the rehire was made only to settle a prior EEO claim.
• Forbes v. Cockerham (La. 2009) — $12.6 million jury finding of fault against the State overturned. The Supreme Court held the intoxicated speeding driver was solely at fault on “the most dangerous road in Louisiana.”
• Gaunt v. Progressive (La. App. 4 Cir. 2012) — U-Haul fault cut from 90% to 50%; judgment against U-Haul reduced from $1,795,100 to $897,550. The Fourth Circuit found the driver’s decision to ignore loose wheel straps required a substantially higher fault allocation.
• Jackson v. Tanfoglio (5th Cir. 2010) — $11 million default judgment vacated for lack of personal jurisdiction. After years of jurisdictional discovery, the Italian manufacturer was shown not to have placed the pistol in the stream of commerce in Louisiana.

How I Work with Clients and Counsel

Ike Ryan APLC is a boutique appellate practice. Most of my work comes from other lawyers who need a second set of eyes on a hard record, a writ or appeal that has to be done right, or trial counsel who want the case positioned for the next court before the jury is even seated.

I keep the relationship straightforward:

• Co-counsel and referrals welcome. I regularly enroll as appellate counsel, draft or refine writs and briefs, and consult on strategy without disrupting the trial team’s relationship with the client.
• Early trajectory, not late cleanup. The best appellate result often starts at trial. I monitor trials, preserve error, and help shape the record when the stakes justify it.
• Direct and cost-conscious. One lawyer, no layers of associates. You get my judgment, clear recommendations, and work product aimed at the angle most likely to win—efficiently.
• Flexible engagement. Full appeals, discrete writ applications, second-chair briefing, oral argument, or a confidential case assessment. We define scope up front.

If you have a matter that needs appellate attention, call or email me directly: (504) 952-0505 · ike@ikeryan.com.