Virtus Law Group, LLP founding partner Colby J. Ryan, originally from Las Vegas, NV, moved to San Diego to attend law school shortly after graduating early from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Hospitality Management.
Mr. Ryan obtained his Juris Doctorate degree from California Western School of Law, during which time he was recognized for his advocacy capabilities that he developed as a member of the CWSL Mock Trial team, receiving the CALI Academic Excellence Award in Evidence Advocacy, the Distinguished Advocate Award, and the Gordon & Holmes Oral Advocacy Scholarship.
During his time in law school, Mr. Ryan was a law clerk for three separate semesters for the Office of the Public Defender in San Diego, working in the Central Felony Division, Juvenile Delinquency Division, and Central Misdemeanor Division.
After graduating law school, Mr. Ryan was hired as a graduate law clerk for the Office of the Public Defender in San Diego, where he continued to work with indigent clients with desperate legal circumstances. Following his clerkship, Colby founded both the Law Offices of Colby J. Ryan, and then shortly thereafter, Jones Ryan Trial Attorneys, where he continued to assist dozens in the San Diego community at both the state and federal level.
In addition to servicing his retained clients, Mr. Ryan also serves as a Level 5 Panel Attorney for the Office of Assigned Counsel, a branch of the Office of the Public Defender in San Diego, where he helps represent indigent clients with charges ranging from misdemeanor petty theft to murder.
Colby feels he's at his best in trial, where his recent trials include: a 2022 acquittal of a two-count felony complaint and defending a client in a seven-week first degree murder with three special circumstances trial, and with co-counsel Liann Sabatini a recent 2024 felony acquittal of 3 life counts in a six-week child torture and mayhem case, a 2024 felony acquittal of first-degree murder, intentional discharge of a firearm, and gang allegation in a three-week first-degree gang murder prosecution, and a 2024 hung jury of an assault with force likely to cause great bodily injury, battery causing serious bodily injury, and great bodily injury enhancements in a felony prosecution of a client on probation for a strike.
Mr. Ryan is admitted to practice law in the states of California and Nevada, and is also admitted to practice in the Federal District Courts for the Southern and Central District of California, as well as the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals.
As someone always looking to give back to the community he serves, Colby has served as the Secretary of the Justicia Criminal Defense Association, an organization dedicated to helping to assist and inform members of the San Diego community of their legal rights. Additionally, Colby has served as a Coach for the California Western School of Law and Del Norte High School Mock Trial Programs to help develop the next generation of young legal advocates.
In his spare time, when he's not thinking about the law, Colby likes to play golf, meditate, listen to music, and enjoy time with his friends and family.
AWARDS
- Super Lawyers Rising Stars Award (2023-2026);
- National Trial Lawyers Top 100 - Criminal Defense (2025);
- National Trial Lawyers Top 40 Under 40 - Criminal Defense (2025);
- National Trial Lawyers Top 40 Under 40 - Civil Plaintiff (2025).
