Ryan Geoffrey Baker

Ryan has successfully represented some of the world’s largest companies in complex commercial litigation. He has tried cases and argued motions state and federal courts across the country. In addition to his trial court practice, Ryan has practiced in front of numerous courts of appeal, including the U.S. Supreme Court. He has prevailed in arbitrations before several different arbitral organizations. 

Ryan’s practice areas include business litigation, intellectual property, entertainment, antitrust, securities and white collar crime.  He is also frequently asked to provide pre-litigation advice on numerous issues.  Based on his experience and success, Ryan has been named a “Super Lawyer” and a “Rising Star” by Los Angeles magazine.

Ryan has appeared on CNN’s Burden of Proof and on NBC Channel 4 News in Los Angeles. He has also been quoted in the Wall Street Journal, Los Angeles Times, National Law Journal, Hollywood Reporter and numerous other publications, often as an expert in his field.  Ryan has lectured on various legal issues, including copyright law and electronic discovery.  He recently served on a panel discussing complex commercial litigation issues at Harvard Law School.  Based on his expertise in alternative dispute resolution, he presented at a conference co-sponsored by the Federal Trade Commission and the Department of Commerce - Alternative Dispute Resolution for Consumer Transactions in the Borderless Online Marketplace.​

Ryan is a member of California’s Central District's pro bono panel.  He also currently serves on the Board of Advisors of After-School All-Stars, a non-profit organization providing after-school educational enrichment activities for children. Ryan served as a “big” for three years with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Los Angeles.  He recently earned the coveted belt buckle at the Leadville 100 mountain bike race, which he raced to raise money for Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.  He has already qualified for the 2015 Leadville 100.

Ryan received his law degree from Harvard Law School in 2000, where he was a member of the Harvard Legal Aid Bureau. In 1997, he earned his bachelor’s degree in political science from Brigham Young University, graduating magna cum laude with University Honors.

Representative Engagements

• Obtained favorable settlement on behalf of client in patent infringement case against Cirque de Soleil related to Michael Jackson One show.
• Argued, and won, Ninth Circuit appeal against insurance companies on behalf of Mattel in the Barbie-Bratz litigation.
• Successfully defended multimillion dollar arbitration brought by international investment bank against client; after five days of arbitration, client prevailed on all claims and recovered attorneys' fees and costs.
• Prevailed in two separate but related California appeals to protect client's right to jury trial.
• Obtained a favorable settlement for The Carlyle Group in a dispute against the defendant seller of a building that contained asbestos.
• Defended manufacturer of revolutionary lightweight sport aircraft against engineering company. Obtained a walk-away settlement following the articulation of potential cross-claims.
• Secured dismissal of claims brought by a landlord against a popular Los Angeles nightclub.
• Pursued breach of contract claims on behalf of client DIRECTV against a former dealer. Prevailed in arbitration, obtaining an award of all damages sought, in addition to attorneys’ fees.
• Represented a major retailer and independent studio in a dispute related to the motion picture Monster. After a week of jury trial in Texas state court, obtained a favorable settlement.
• Filed action for breach of a loan agreement on behalf of his client, a real estate developer, in Maine federal court. Obtained summary judgment on all claims; also obtained sanctions against the defendants based on defendants’ discovery misconduct.
• Represented a software company seeking to prevent competitor from infringement. Obtained an unprecedented preliminary injunction for client, which enabled that client to protect its intellectual property while pursuing claims against a competitor.
• Represented a major grocery store chain against discrimination claims brought by a former employee in a week-long jury trial. Client settled on favorable terms while appeal was pending.
• Defended Rolls-Royce in a dispute related to the construction of an oil platform. Obtained summary judgment of all claims.
• Obtained summary judgment in landmark copyright case, holding that an Internet-based broadcast television transmitter may be entitled to a compulsory license under Copyright Act Section 111.

Representative Clients

Avery Dennison Corporation
Bank of the West
The Carlyle Group
DIRECTV
FilmOn Networks
Funtastic Limited (Australia)
ICON Aircraft
Mattel
Motorola
Muse Lifestyle Group
Rolls-Royce Energy Systems
Sumifru Corporation (Philippines)
THUMS Long Beach
University of Southern California
Zions Bankcorporation

Admissions

U.S. Supreme Court
California
Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals
Central District of California
Northern District of California
Southern District of California
D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals
Second Circuit Court of Appeals

Other Professional Activities

American Bar Association, Litigation Section
Los Angeles County Bar Association