Ryan van Steenis

Associate

Ryan van Steenis is a seasoned litigator who has effectively navigated complex business disputes, representing both plaintiffs and defendants in high-stakes cases across the country. Known for his innovative approach, Ryan has successfully tried cases in federal and state courts, including the Delaware Court of Chancery, where he frequently uncovers novel solutions to intricate issues such as breach of fiduciary duty, appraisal rights, and directors’ and officers’ liability. Ryan’s diverse experience extends to advising private-public partnerships, foreign companies, and non-profits, contributing to significant events like the Houston Super Bowl and the World Petroleum Congress.

Ryan has successfully resolved a wide range of thorny business disputes on behalf of his clients, representing both plaintiffs and defendants in federal and state courts across the country, including the Delaware Court of Chancery. In that court, Ryan has tried several cases to judgment, frequently finding novel and creative solutions in high stakes, complex commercial cases involving issues such as entire fairness, breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, appraisal rights, and directors’ and officers’ liability. Ryan also has advised private-public partnerships, foreign companies, municipal corporations, and non-profits operating in the United States, such as the Houston Super Bowl Committee, the Barrett Jackson Auto Auction (which Ryan helped bring the inaugural auto auction show to Houston’s NRG Center), and the World Petroleum Congress Organizing Committee for the WPC’s tri-annual conference most recently held in Houston.

Ryan graduated with honors from UCLA and holds a J.D. from Washington University in St. Louis. He is licensed to practice in California and Texas. Prior to joining MPJ, Ryan worked as an attorney at a litigation boutique in Houston, Austin, as well as two prominent firms in Los Angeles, practicing insurance litigation and commercial litigation focusing on entertainment, intellectual property, real estate, and business disputes. Ryan also has devoted substantial pro bono time to anti-human trafficking work. In 2018, Ryan was awarded the “Legacy Award” by Unlikely Heroes, a leading 501(c)(3) in the anti-trafficking space, and in 2019, Ryan received the President of the Houston Bar Association’s “Star Award” for his pro bono work against traffickers. Ryan received the “Texas Super Lawyers Award” in 2021-2024 for his business litigation work.

Representative Matters

In re CTPL – Represented 84 minority partners in 11 different wireless telecommunications businesses. Ryan second chaired a five-day bench trial in the Court of Chancery, after which the Court adjusted the value of the business (in a bellwether opinion for one telecommunications business) from $219,000,000 to $714,000,000 (3.26 times more). The value of the business was used by the majority partner to determine the price paid for the minority owners’ proportionate share of the business.
Ramcell, Inc. v. Alltel Corp., d/b/a Verizon Wireless – Represented a minority shareholder in the Jacksonville, MS, wireless market. Ryan first chaired a two-day appraisal bench trial in the Court of Chancery, after which the Court adjusted Jackson’s share price from $2,963 (the squeeze-out price) to $11,464.57 (the appraised price) per share (3.87 times more).
In Re Azul – Represented a client exposed to various legal proceedings in Central and South America arising from the Panama Papers leak. Ryan successfully managed the investigation and fact gathering and coordinated the defense across nine countries in Europe, South America, and the Caribbean, which resolved legal issues on immigration, international arbitration, money laundering, and the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.

Ryan van Steenis

Associate

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