Lawrence Thomas Ryan Jr.

L. Thomas Ryan, Jr. is a founding partner of the law firm of Ryan Hicks Cumpton & Cumpton, LLP, and is the managing partner in the firm's Huntsville office. Mr. Ryan began his private law practice with an emphasis on civil litigation. His firm’s practice is now primarily devoted to advising clients in the areas of trusts and wills, probate administration, elder law, Medicaid and nursing home planning, estate and gift tax planning, corporate and business law, business succession planning, IRA and retirement planning, charitable gift planning, prenuptial agreements, and adoptions. He has served since 1984 as a Special Assistant Attorney General for the State of Alabama representing the Alabama Department of Human Resources, primarily in Adult Protective Services cases, Conservatorships and Guardianships, as well as juvenile dependency matters.

Mr. Ryan earned his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Alabama School of Law, where he was the Articles Editor for the Law and Psychology Review. He also completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Alabama earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology.

Mr. Ryan is a member of the Alabama State Bar Association and its sections on Elder Law (Charter Member and Chair (2004-2005, 2005-2006)), Real Property, Probate and Trust Law (Secretary (2004-2005), Treasurer (2005-2006), Vice-Chair (2006-2008), and Chair (2008-2009)), and Taxation Law; the Huntsville Madison County Bar Association; the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys; and the American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys.

He is admitted to practice before all courts in the State of Alabama, as well as the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama and the 11th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals. Mr. Ryan is a frequent speaker on estate planning topics, and regularly presents educational seminars for public and private audiences.

Mr. Ryan has lived in Alabama for over four decades.  He has two grown sons.  He is a former Board member and two-term former President of the Foster Children's Alliance, a non-profit corporation that provides assistance for foster children.  His concern for the welfare of children also led him to serve as a Board member of the National Children's Advocacy Center.  He served three terms on the Alabama Board of Bar Commissioners for the 23rd Judicial Circuit which includes Huntsville and Madison County from 2003 to 2012. In his leisure time, Mr. Ryan enjoys reading, boating, photography and golf.

In addition to his busy practice, Mr. Ryan is a frequent speaker on estate planning and elder law topics, regularly presenting educational seminars to the public as well as to private groups.