Stewart Ryan

Stewart Ryan is a nationally and internationally known advocate for survivors of abuse. He handles cases nationwide involving sexual and physical abuse in institutional settings including religious organizations, boarding schools, residential treatment facilities, hospitals, universities, sports organizations, daycare centers, schools, and businesses.

He litigates cases against organizations and businesses that have allowed adults and children to be abused for decades, including cases against the Catholic Church, Seventh-Day Adventists, Evangelical Lutheran Churches of America, Church of God In Christ, and various cults. He is a trusted resource to clients and other lawyers when it comes to handling cases against businesses who allow abusers to assault customers and co-workers, especially in franchise businesses in the massage and wellness industry, hotel industry, and food service industry.

Prior to joining Laffey Bucci D’Andrea Reich & Ryan, Stewart served as Assistant Chief of the Trials Division in the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office. As a prosecutor, he handled a wide variety of cases including homicides and violent crimes. He specialized in prosecuting and investigating crimes of sexual violence perpetrated against adults and children, as well as cases of physical child abuse, child exploitation, domestic violence, and elder abuse. He received numerous commendations for his tireless efforts on behalf of victims and for courtroom successes.

During his time at the District Attorney’s Office, Stewart also prosecuted a number of high-profile cases including Commonwealth v. William H. Cosby Jr. In that case, he presented the testimony of past victims, cross-examined key witnesses, and made the final closing argument before the jury returned its guilty verdict.

Stewart has demonstrated a track record of fierce and passionate advocacy on behalf of individuals who have been injured or harmed. Whether a person has suffered emotional or physical injuries as a victim of a crime or has been hurt through the negligence of others, he approaches every client with trauma-informed compassion and with the goal of achieving justice in their case.

A widely recognized speaker, Stewart has presented to audiences across the United States, Canada, and Europe on issues related to sexual violence, prevention, institutional abuse, and high-profile prosecutions. He is also regularly relied upon as a subject matter expert by local, national, and international media including Good Morning America, Court TV, ABC News, Associated Press, Mother Jones, The Washington Post, The Daily Beast, Talk Radio Europe, and others.

Since 2021, Stewart has been an adjunct professor of law at Villanova University’s Charles Widger School of Law.

Stewart is a graduate of La Salle College High School, Franklin & Marshall College, and Widener University Delaware Law School.