Stewart Ryan

About Stewart

M. Stewart Ryan regularly handles cases nationwide involving sexual and physical assaults in institutional settings including boarding schools, residential treatment facilities, hospitals, universities, sports organizations, daycare centers, and schools.

He litigates cases against religious organizations that have allowed children to be abused for decades, including cases against the Catholic Church (in multiple states), Southern Baptist Church, Seventh-Day Adventists, Evangelical Lutheran Churches of America, various cults, including Scientology, among others.

Prior to joining Laffey, Bucci & Kent, 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 several 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 treats every case the same with the goal of achieving justice for his client.

A widely recognized speaker, Stewart has presented to audiences across the U.S. and Canada 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, ABC News, Associated Press, Mother Jones, The Washington Post, The Daily Beast, Talk Radio Europe, and others.

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