Ryan D. Ellard is an experienced attorney who guides clients through complex business decisions and all phases of litigation. Ryan is recognized by the International Association of Privacy Professionals as a certified privacy professional for the United States (CIPP/US). The CIPP/US certification demonstrates a strong foundation in U.S. private-sector privacy laws as well as the underlying legal requirements associated with the responsible transfer of personal data.
Ryan also maintains robust commercial and real estate litigation practices. He handles lawsuits centered on business disputes, breach of contract, trade secret claims, and intellectual property matters concerning copyright and trademark infringement. His real estate litigation practice focuses on commercial lease disputes and evictions, transactional disputes, quiet title claims, and partition actions. Ryan regularly represents his clients’ interests in South Carolina state and federal courts.
Ryan devotes significant time to local pro bono efforts in the Charleston community, routinely appearing as a volunteer attorney in Housing Court Sessions to represent low-income tenants facing eviction. He has tried and prevailed in several cases on the merits.
Thought Leadership
- Presenter, “Commercial Lease Disputes in South Carolina,” Association of Corporate Counsel, South Carolina Chapter, September 14, 2023
- Guarding Against Cyber Fraud in Real Estate Transactions, September 2026
- Presenter, ABA’s Professors’ Corner, “Reversing Course: Cyber Fraud, Deed Theft, and the Future of Title Security,” August 19, 2026
- Contributor, “Section 230 Shields Meta from Mass Shooting Liability,” Litigation News, ABA Litigation Section, August 27, 2025 (PDF)
- Presenter, “Commercial Real Estate Disputes in South Carolina,” Association of Corporate Counsel South Carolina Annual Meeting, September 2023
- Author, “In a Case of First Impression, the Wyoming Supreme Court Holds that Life Estate Holders with Executive Rights May Execute Leases that Extend Beyond the Life Estate,” E-Report, ABA Real Property Trust and Estate Law Section, Spring 2023
- Author, “High Court Hears Oral Argument on Federal Quiet Title Act’s Statute of Limitations,” E-Report, ABA Real Property Trust and Estate Law Section, February 2023
- Author, “The South Carolina Supreme Court Resolves Extensive Real Property Disputes Between National and Local Episcopal Organizations,” E-Report, ABA Real Property Trust and Estate Law Section, January 2023
- Author, “S.D.N.Y. Court Hands Down a Victory for Commercial Landlords Seeking COVID-19 Arrears,” E-Report, ABA Real Property Trust and Estate Law Section, December 2022
- Author, “The Supreme Court of South Carolina Adopts the Post-Loss Exception,” August 1, 2022
- Author, “Eight Things Your Social Media Influencer Agreement Should Accomplish”, November 2019
Honors & Awards
- Recognized in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America® in Commercial Litigation (2021-2026) and Litigation - Construction (2023-2026)
- Recognized in Charleston Business Magazine's Legal Elite, Corporate Investigations, Insurance (2023), and Business Litigation (2026 - Present)
Professional & Civic Activities
- Fellow, American Bar Association, Section of Real Property, Trusts & Estate, Real Property Division Litigation and Ethics Group (2022 - Present)
- ABA, Real Property, Trusts and Estates Section, Chair of Real Property Litigation and Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee
Certifications
- IAPP, Certified Information Privacy Professional – US, 2025-Present
