Meet Ellen Ryan.
Most lawyers don’t spend their careers negotiating contracts that directly impact lives. But for Ellen Ryan, that was part of the job. While serving as in-house counsel for a travel risk management company, Ellen played a key role in securing contracts for emergency rescues—coordinating aircraft evacuations during Hurricane Maria in 2017 and helicopter missions to rescue children after Nepal’s devastating earthquake in 2015. “The stakes were high, and every contract had real-world consequences,” recalls Ellen. “Seeing the impact of my work firsthand was incredibly rewarding.”
Ellen’s ability to approach high-stakes situations with pragmatism and resolve remains central to her work as an OGC. With over 24 years of experience—21 of them spent in-house—Ellen now leverages her practical, business-centric approach to help companies with a wide range of legal needs, including drafting and negotiating contracts and advising on data privacy, employment, and intellectual property issues. “My tech company clients, in particular, rely on my deep negotiation experience to navigate a high volume of license agreements, reseller agreements, OEM agreements, and vendor contracts.”
Equally valued by her clients is Ellen’s ability to translate complex legal issues into actionable business strategies, another skill honed during her in-house tenure. Whether explaining risks in plain English or guiding STEM professionals through the contracting process, Ellen helps to bridge the gap between legal and business in fast-paced environments focused on growth.
On her decision to join OGC, “it was a natural fit for me,” said Ellen. “After years as General Counsel, I’m able to leverage the full breadth of my in-house experience on behalf of an incredibly interesting and diverse range of companies.” And for every client she serves, Ellen applies the same strategic thinking, responsiveness, and real-world practicality.
More About Ellen Ryan
Ellen has handled many acquisitions while working in-house, but none were as memorable as her last—a confidential “scheme of arrangement” acquisition in the UK, where even the slightest leak could have triggered regulatory intervention. “The procedural maneuvering required in this type of transaction made it a fascinating process to participate in!”
Outside of her legal work, Ellen is an avid reader (particularly of sci-fi, fantasy, and historical mysteries), a lifelong beachgoer, and a passionate traveler—especially to London, where her daughter now lives.