Ryan Alexander Forbes is a trial lawyer who defends clients facing violent felonies, firearm charges, financial crimes, and white-collar investigations. He represents professionals, executives, financial advisers, business owners, and other clients whose careers, reputations, licenses, and livelihoods may be threatened by a criminal accusation.

Ryan understands that high-stakes cases demand discretion, aggressive defense work, careful judgment, and strategy.

Since joining the firm, Ryan has secured major dismissals and trial victories, including a full acquittal at trial in a felony firearm-possession case; the dismissal and sealing of robbery in the second degree and felony firearm-possession charges; the dismissal and sealing of an assault in the second degree violent-felony charge; the dismissal with prejudice of a first-degree sexual-abuse violent-felony charge; the dismissal of a felony-probation violation; and the avoidance of criminal charges following an investigation into more than $65,000 in fraud.

Ryan has defended clients in New York State courts and in federal matters arising in the Northern District of New York and the Western District of New York. His experience includes cases involving the United States Attorney’s Office, the New York State Attorney General, and federal law-enforcement agencies.

Before joining the firm, Ryan practiced at a private firm in Upstate New York, where he focused on criminal defense, white-collar investigations, and complex litigation involving civil regulatory compliance. He represented clients in federal proceedings in the Northern District of New York and assisted in the representation of judges before the New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct.

Earlier in his career, Ryan litigated civil-rights cases on behalf of plaintiffs in actions brought under 42 U.S.C. § 1983. He began his legal career as a Judicial Intern to the Honorable Richard Rivera, Supervising Family Court Judge and Acting Supreme Court Justice in the Third Judicial District. He also worked with Prisoners’ Legal Services of New York and The Legal Aid Society, drafting motions involving human-rights and deportation matters. He later assisted the Albany County Community Police Review Board in developing a disciplinary matrix for
officer-misconduct violations.

Known for his courtroom poise and meticulous preparation, Ryan brings disciplined judgment, aggressive advocacy, and an unwavering commitment to the presumption of innocence to every case.

Proven Results: 2026 Case Victories Handled by Ryan A. Forbes