David Ryan Returns to Munger, Tolles & Olson 

Munger, Tolles & Olson is pleased to announce that David Ryan has rejoined the firm’s Los Angeles office as of counsel. He brings extensive experience as a trial lawyer and a leader in complex national security and white collar investigations.

David most recently served as chief of the National Security Division at the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California, where he led a team of more than 25 Assistant U.S. Attorneys (AUSAs) investigating cyberattacks, trade secret theft, espionage, terrorism and export control and sanctions violations. He previously served as chief of the Terrorism and Export Crimes Section and chief of the General Crimes Section, where he supervised dozens of AUSAs and directed high-profile investigations and prosecutions. David also personally secured convictions in more than 75 federal cases, including high-profile jury trials in cases involving corruption, fraud, terrorism, murder and weapons trafficking. He has received numerous awards in recognition of his achievements in government service, including the FBI Director’s Award, the Federal Bar Association’s Younger Federal Lawyer Award and the Anti-Defamation League’s Sherwood Prize for Combatting Hate.

“David is a deeply skilled trial lawyer and trusted leader who brings unmatched experience handling sensitive national security and complex criminal cases,” said Firm Chair Brad Brian. “We are thrilled to welcome him back to MTO.”

David began his legal career as a law clerk to Judge John A. Kronstadt of the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California and Judge Raymond C. Fisher of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. He previously practiced as an associate at Munger, Tolles & Olson, representing clients in high-stakes trials and investigations. David earned his J.D. from Yale Law School and his bachelor’s degree from Stanford University.

“I am excited to return to MTO, a firm known for its excellence in litigation and its commitment to public service,” said David. “I look forward to working alongside my colleagues to serve clients facing their most challenging and sensitive matters.”

David’s hire is reflective of MTO’s commitment to hiring top government lawyers and former judicial clerks. He is the ninth former government lawyer to join the firm in recent years, following the return of Teresa Reed Dippo, who served as deputy solicitor general with the California Department of Justice; E. Martin Estrada, who served as U.S. attorney for the Central District of California from 2022-2025; Jeremy Kreisberg, who served as special assistant to the president and senior associate counsel in the White House Counsel’s Office; Victoria Degtyareva, who spent six years as an assistant U.S. attorney for the Central District of California; Ashley Aull and Robyn Bacon, who both returned to the firm after working for nearly a decade in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California; Jonathan Kravis, who spent a decade as a federal prosecutor, most recently at the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia; and John Berry, who joined the firm after eight years in enforcement roles at the Securities & Exchange Commission.