Ryan Willis

Biography

Ryan is a highly skilled trial attorney with two decades of experience, having tried more than 35 cases to verdict in both state and federal courts. His extensive trial experience includes securing not guilty verdicts for clients facing serious felony charges, including sex offenses, serious drug felonies, and violent crimes. He has successfully defended individuals accused of first-degree murder, robbery with a dangerous weapon, felony assault, and sex offenses, including securing acquittals in complex cases such as second-degree rape.

Ryan’s experience also includes white collar criminal investigations.  He has been lead counsel in government investigations involving health care fraud, antitrust violations, insurance fraud, bank fraud, and political corruption.  He has represented companies as outside General Counsel, helping his clients avoid criminal prosecution and advising them on compliance matters when the stakes are high.   

Ryan has helped individuals and companies respond to Grand Jury subpoenas in civil and criminal matters. He has guided clients served with target letters from United States Attorney’s Office navigate the criminal process, and has successfully helped several of those clients avoid prosecution.

Beyond the courtroom, Ryan has a track record of achieving results that never make headlines, his best work is done privately by quietly convincing law enforcement and prosecutors to decline charges or dismiss cases wrongly indicted. His deep knowledge of both state and federal law has been instrumental in securing favorable plea agreements and guiding clients through high-stakes investigations.

Ryan also has extensive experience handling federal cases, including drug trafficking, fraud, and other serious charges. He understands the nuances of federal prosecution and has successfully negotiated favorable outcomes for clients in North Carolina, Florida, and Delaware. His advocacy begins long before an indictment, often working behind the scenes to prevent federal adoption of state cases or to secure non-prosecution agreements.

A Raleigh native, Ryan was an Assistant District Attorney in Wake County, North Carolina, following law school. He is a member and the past Chair of the Board of Trustees of Raleigh’s First Baptist Church.

In 2016, Ryan co-founded Dysart Willis, a boutique law firm focused on criminal defense and white collar matters. The firm built a strong reputation for handling complex investigations and high-stakes litigation across North Carolina. In March 2024, Dysart Willis merged with Maynard Nexsen, a national firm with more than 600 attorneys. During his time at Maynard Nexsen, Ryan worked on a broad range of litigation, gaining valuable insight into the operations of a large, full-service firm. After a year, he chose to return to a more focused practice, founding his own firm to continue his work defending individuals and small businesses in criminal and white collar cases.

Memberships and Appointments

Ryan is a long-time Criminal Justice Act (CJA) panel attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina. In that capacity, Ryan helped hundreds of indigent federal defendants facing serious criminal allegations.

Ryan is a member of the American Bar Association (ABA) White Collar Section.

Experience

• Successfully defended clients in first-degree murder cases, securing reductions to lesser charges and avoiding life sentences.
• Won not guilty verdicts in violent felony cases, including robbery with a dangerous weapon and felony assault.
• Acquitted a client charged with second-degree rape in Durham, NC.
• Defended clients in high-profile federal drug cases, with experience in North Carolina, Florida, and Delaware.
• Political corruption/bribery investigation representation of City Councilwoman.
• Representation of a high-profile cooperating defendant in an immigration/bank fraud matter involving a Russian national.
• Federal Grand Jury representation in an antitrust investigation.

Education

• University of North Carolina School of Law: 2004, J.D.
• North Carolina State University: 1998, B.A., magna cum laude

Admissions

• State Bar: North Carolina
• U.S. Court of Appeals: Fourth Circuit, Eleventh Circuit
• U.S. District Court: North Carolina (Eastern, Middle, Western), Tennessee (Eastern)
• North Carolina Bar State & Federal Criminal Law Certification
• National Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys 
• North Carolina Bar Association

Recognition

• Best Lawyers in America (2025)
• North Carolina Super Lawyers (2018-Present)
• Super Lawyers, Rising Star (2012-2016)

Community & Professional

• Tenth Judicial District Bar
• Wake County Bar Association
• North Carolina Bar Association
• National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
• American Bar Association, White Collar Section
• First Baptist Church (Raleigh)
  • Board of Trustees
  • Deacon
  • Finance Committee, Chair
  • Co-Teacher, 3rd-5th Grade Sunday School Class