Ryan A. Walsh

Ryan's recent experience includes:

• Winning dismissal of a class action seeking to block the US$22 billion acquisition of First Data by Fiserv (Del. Chancery)
• Defeating claims on behalf of New Relic for additional books and records under Delaware General Corporation Law Section 220 (Del. Chancery)
• Representing The Trade Desk and directors in an action challenging a performance stock option grant to the company’s founder and CEO (Del. Chancery)
• Representing the special committee of Dell Technologies in a class action arising out of Dell’s acquisition of its Class V stock (Del. Chancery)
• Defeating a motion for preliminary injunction seeking to block the US$1.4 billion acquisition of REIT Hersha Hospitality Trust by KSL Capital Partners (Montgomery Cty. Superior, Pennsylvania)
• Winning dismissal on a motion for judgment on pleadings of a securities class action against Switch following its IPO (D. Nev.). Also winning dismissal of a class action in Nevada state court challenging the acquisition of Switch by affiliates of DigitalBridge Group, Inc. and IFM Investors Pty Ltd.
• Representing a director of a prominent California gaming company in litigation involving general corporate governance matters (Los Angeles Superior Ct.)
• Representing an international conglomerate in civil litigation involving claims under both California and federal law (C.D. Cal.)
• Representing a bank’s former CEO in a securities class action (C.D. Cal.)
• Representing an individual, on a pro bono basis, in a California state court appeal
• Representing an investment advisor in SEC enforcement investigations relating to trade allocations for client accounts*
• Representing a joint venture in commercial arbitration for breach of an environmental indemnity agreement relating to the development of one of the largest multi-use developments in Downtown Los Angeles, which resulted in a multi-million dollar arbitration award and defeat of all cross-claims, in addition to the client receiving a multi-million dollar award of fees as the prevailing party*
• Representing a former officer of a publicly traded resort and gaming company in a high-profile securities class action, which resulted in a complete defense victory at summary judgment, and was affirmed on appeal*
• Representing a client against the SEC in a high-profile insider trading trial. The verdict was recognized by The Daily Journal as a top defense verdict of 2014*
• Representing a client in removal proceedings before Immigration and Customs Enforcement and after trial, the judge granted the client asylum*

Ryan has represented clients in a variety of other litigation and enforcement matters, including:

• A public company’s officers and directors in a shareholder derivative action regarding the company’s disclosure and compensation practices*
• An investment adviser in connection with its internal investigation of cross-trading policies and practices*
• A company in a contract and fraud dispute brought by a founder seeking to rescind certain intellectual property rights assigned during the founding of the company*

Thought Leadership

• "Counterfactuals in Securities Class Actions: An Illustration Using Third-Party Corrective Disclosures," Houston Business and Tax Law Journal, 2022-2023 Winter Edition
• "Delaware Chancery Court Extends Oversight Duties to Non-Director Corporate Officers," Latham & Watkins Client Alert, Feb. 3, 2023
• Speaker at The Knowledge Group webcast, "Demystifying the Current Landscape of Securities Litigation: Practical Tips and Strategies You Must Know," Nov. 4, 2020
• Guest Lecturer in Securities Regulation, USC Gould School of Law

* Matter handled prior to joining Latham