Thomas A. Ryan

A leading environmental attorney, Tom Ryan has spent a considerable portion of his time defending chemical exposure toxic tort litigation, including class actions. These cases have included alleged damage to plaintiff's immune systems, pulmonary systems and other personal injuries. He has experience in Superfund issues including contribution, indemnity, transporter liability and allocation.

In addition, Tom represents policyholders in environmental insurance coverage litigation in various states. He also has 20 years of experience in personal injury litigation, representing railroad and manufacturing companies in a wide variety of cases.

Representative Experience

• Represents a major railroad in various Superfund matters in the Midwest.
• Served as Missouri and Kansas counsel for one of the major manufacturers of asbestos-containing products. He tried a property damage case to a jury in federal district court in Kansas resulting in one of only a handful of defense verdicts for this type of litigation.
• Served as Missouri counsel for one of the manufacturers in "fen phen" litigation.
• Represented a major chemical company in class action litigation arising out of a plant in central Missouri.
• Represents a waste transporter and landowner in numerous major Superfund cases at sites throughout the United States.
• Represents insureds seeking coverage for costs and other damages incurred in connection with CERCLA sites around the country.
• Represent a number of clients in proceedings before the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE).

• Speaker, Negotiating Superfund Settlements, University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law, Kansas City, MO, 2018

• American Bar Association, Torts & Insurance Practice Section; Natural Resources, Energy and Environmental Law Section
• Insurance Information Council
• Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association, Environmental Law Committee
• Lawyers Association of Kansas City
• The Missouri Bar
• Missouri Organization of Defense Lawyers
• National Institute for Trial Advocacy
• University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law, Adjunct Professor, CERCLA/Negotiating Superfund Settlements, 2018

• Prime Health Foundation, Board of Directors, 1988 – Present
• Heart of America Dartmouth Club, Former President

• Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business, Missouri Environmental, 2019-2023
• Selected among The Best Lawyers in America®, 2010-2024
  • "Lawyer of the Year," 2017, 2023
• Chambers USA, "Leading Lawyer”, 2009-2018
• Missouri/Kansas Super Lawyers, 2007-2010 and 2013-2018
• KVC Health Systems' 40 Everyday Heroes, 2010
• Martindale-Hubbell® "AV" Rating