MEET PATRICK K. RYAN

I grew up on a farm in Goodland, Indiana, and am a lifelong resident of Newton County. I have been practicing law and helping people in our community for over 25 years.

I attended college at The Citadel, in Charleston, South Carolina, where I was the recipient of one of only fifteen Naval Education Scholarships awarded nationally. I obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and graduated with honors, after successfully completing the four-year Naval/Marine Corps Reserve Officers Training Program.

I obtained an internship with Indiana Senator Dan Coates, the former Director of National Intelligence, in Washington D.C., and then returned to Indiana to obtain a juris doctorate from Valparaiso University School of Law.

After receiving my law degree, I began my career in Newton County in 1998 with the Law Firm of Barce and Ryan, where I had an opportunity to work closely with my father, Steve Ryan, and further serve as a Newton County Deputy Prosecutor. In this capacity, I had the opportunity to practice law with some of the best lawyers in the area, as well as the privilege of working very closely with our local law enforcement officers.

I gained extensive trial experience early in my career and achieved significant success by winning numerous jury trials and obtaining difficult convictions against a variety of criminals in our community, from drug dealers to child molesters.

I then expanded my practice to include civil litigation and developed a broad practice assisting clients with litigation, business, and property transactions, as well as trusts and estate matters.

In 2002, I was appointed as the County Attorney by the Newton County Board of Commissioners and have served the community in this capacity for over the last 20 years. In this position, over the years I have served at the pleasure of over 9 different elected County Commissioners, both Republican and Democrat.

As the Newton County Attorney, I am responsible for managing litigation and legal matters involving the County, and further advising the Board of Commissioners and other public officials and departments on law and policy.

In addition to my duties as County Attorney, I also represent numerous other municipalities, local businesses, economic development groups, banks, and private clients. I also currently serve as the attorney for my alma mater, the South Newton School Corporation.

In recent years, I have handled a wide variety of complex lawsuits, trials, and business transactions ranging anywhere from zoning matters to contract disputes, employee misconduct, public nuisances, and animal cruelty cases.

I am one of the most experienced practicing trial attorneys in the area, having handled well over 1,000 cases and numerous jury trials throughout my 25-year legal career.

Service to the local community has always been a priority for me. I am a strong advocate of charitable giving, and my office donates thousands of dollars back to local community programs annually.

In addition to practicing law, I enjoy traveling, hiking, shooting sports, photography, chess, and military history.