Nicole M. Ryan

NICOLE M. RYAN is counsel in the firm’s San Francisco office and focuses her practice on commercial litigation and disputes, including business torts, securities litigation, corporate governance disputes and class actions. She has represented clients in a range of industries in some of their most complex and significant disputes.

Nicole has represented technology companies, insurance companies, financial services companies, national accounting firms, directors and other clients in securities law matters, in professional liability matters and in other complex commercial cases, including title insurance litigation, escheat litigation, breach of contract disputes, fraud claims, breach of fiduciary duty claims, negligence claims and unfair competition claims.

• Alpert v. Cuesta Title Company (San Luis Obispo, Cal., Superior Court 2013), a bellwether jury trial for eight coordinated cases brought by approximately 500 plaintiffs/investors who lost over $75 million in an alleged Ponzi scheme. The scheme was run by a loan broker and a real estate developer, both of whom pled guilty to criminal charges. Sidley’s clients were alleged to have been negligent in connection with, participated in, or aided and abetted the scheme. After a nine-week trial, the jury rejected every one of plaintiffs’ claims and returned a defense verdict on all claims.   
• Represented electronics manufacturing services company in case involving claims of unfair competition, fraud and breach of contract related to U.S. and international purchasing practices.
• Representing life insurance companies in case brought by State Controller alleging violations of state unclaimed property laws.
• Representing title insurance company in putative class action alleging fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, unfair competition and civil RICO claims.
• Represented engine manufacturer in state court action regarding California Air Resource Board’s certification testing procedures. 
• Represented Big Four accounting firms in securities class actions and professional liability actions alleging financial fraud.
• Represented board committee of data storage provider in internal investigation of derivative litigation claims concerning insider trading.

• State Bar of California
• San Francisco Bar Association
• American Bar Association