Ryan is a specialist in public international law, having worked for the World Bank Group on a wide range of policy and legal matters. He has particular expertise advising on sanctions related to fraud and corruption in connection with World Bank Group-financed projects. Ryan has also served as legal adviser on various institutional matters for the World Bank, ranging from HR and pension administration to sanctions policy. In addition, he has represented the World Bank in various litigation proceedings, including with respect to challenges to the World Bank’s privileges and immunities and employment disputes.
Ryan is presently serving as Deputy Executive Secretary to the World Bank Group Sanctions Board. He has also held the position of Senior Counsel & Legal Adviser to the Sanctions System within the World Bank Legal Vice Presidency. Prior to joining the World Bank, Ryan served as a law clerk on the U.S. District Court for D.C. and worked for several years as a corporate litigator at a top New York City law firm. Ryan received his law degree, cum laude, from Harvard Law School, where he was a Chayes Fellow and tutor in law (Lowell House). Ryan received his Master’s degree in Comparative Social Policy from Oxford University (Exter College) and he received his undergraduate degree, with honours and Phi Beta Kappa, from the University of Virginia, where he was awarded the Distinguished Student Award.
