Ryan J. Wintermute

Ryan is a commercial litigator representing clients across a broad range of complex business disputes in New Jersey and New York. Ryan focuses a significant part of his practice on matters involving high-stakes internal business disputes, where he represents business owners in conflicts that often place both their financial interests and personal relationships at risk. He counsels clients through some of the most consequential breakdowns a company can face, including claims of breach of fiduciary duty, minority shareholder oppression, and disputes leading to the forced buyouts or dissolutions of closely held businesses. These matters frequently arise from fractured relationships among founders, family members, or long-time partners, where questions of control, trust, and economic survival are deeply intertwined.

Ryan brings particular depth to matters litigated in the New York Supreme Court, Commercial Division, one of the most sophisticated commercial courts in the country. His experience as a law clerk to the Hon. Gretchen Walsh in the Commercial Division provides him with a practical understanding of how these disputes are evaluated at the bench, insight he applies directly to litigation strategy.

Ryan also represents clients in a wide range of commercial contract matters, advising on rights, obligations, and risk under governing agreements, and developing litigation strategies grounded in contract interpretation and enforcement. Within this broader practice, he represents employers and employees in restrictive covenant and employment-related disputes, including the enforcement and defense of non-compete, non-solicitation, and confidentiality agreements. His work in this area frequently involves claims of unfair competition and employee mobility, with a focus on obtaining or opposing injunctive relief in time-sensitive circumstances.

Ryan’s background in white-collar criminal defense, particularly in securities-related matters, also informs his civil litigation practice defending claims of financial misconduct. He represents clients in disputes involving alleged securities fraud, broker misconduct, and breaches of fiduciary duty by investment professionals. Drawing on his experience analyzing intent, disclosure obligations, and patterns of conduct in the criminal and regulatory context, Ryan develops defenses that align with how these issues are scrutinized by courts and regulators, particularly in cases involving alleged misrepresentation, unsuitable investment strategies, and advisor liability.