W. Michael Ryan

Biography

Mike leads the firm’s technology transaction practice, using his deep experience to counsel clients on a variety of complex transactional matters related to technology, data, artificial intelligence, intellectual property, business process services and the distribution of products and services.  

His extensive experience provides clients comprehensive guidance on matters involving:

  • The development and deployment of software and technical infrastructure that use a variety of delivery models, such as Software-as-a-Service (SaaS),  Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) and Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS), as well as enterprise resource planning (ERP), customer relationship management (CRM) and other software solutions;
  • Artificial intelligence (AI) and data analytics;
  • Platform and marketplace initiatives;
  • Information technology outsourcing (ITO) and business process services (BPS or BPO);
  • Intellectual property development and licensing transactions;
  • The resale and distribution agreements of computer products and services; and
  • joint development, joint ventures and strategic alliances.

He has negotiated and closed billions of dollars of deals over the course of his career. Mike provides the legal know-how, technical depth and practical business acumen to negotiate and close transactions in even the most competitive and cutting-edge market segments and industries.

In addition, Mike serves a number of privately held companies in the capacity of general counsel, providing his broad experience and in particular advising clients on complex international transactions, including numerous matters involving a global delivery model for the provision of products and services.

As a testament to his dedication in providing extraordinary service, many of Mike’s client relationships span decades. Clients value Mike’s ability to consistently negotiate and close transactions that favor his clients’ businesses, and that safeguard and leverage their interests and assets.

Mike is listed in Chambers USA and US Legal 500 among leading practitioners in technology and outsourcing. He is a U.S. recipient of an International Client Choice Award for Information Technology, and a frequent speaker on technology, artificial intelligence and outsourcing-related topics.

Education

  • University of Illinois College of Law  (J.D., magna cum laude)
  • Yale University  (B.A.)
    • Sociology/Political Science

Bar Admissions

  • Illinois

Court Admissions

  • U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois

Affiliations/Memberships

  • Board Member – Inner-City Stars Foundation (a/k/a ic stars)
  • Former Yale University Alumni Schools Committee member

Distinctions

  • Recommended in US Legal 500 work in areas of Outsourcing (2010–2025) and M&A: Middle Market (2021)

  • Leading practitioner in the Technology & Outsourcing area by Chambers USA (2008–2025)

  • United States recipient of the International Client Choice Award for Information Technology (2014–2015)