Mr. Ryan enrolled as appellate counsel following a $12.6 million jury verdict against the State of Louisiana. The case involved an intoxicated and recklessly speeding motorist that ran off Greenwell Springs Road, a highway known as "the most dangerous road in Louisiana." The plaintiff, Joshua Forbes, was a nine-year-old boy who suffered the amputation of his right arm and catastrophic orthopedic injuries. The trial judge granted a JNOV, holding that the driver of the vehicle was 100% responsible. The Court of Appeal reversed and reinstated the jury verdict. Mr. Ryan successfully drafted a writ application to the Louisiana Supreme Court. After briefing and argument, the Supreme Court reversed the Court of Appeal and overturned the jury's finding of fault. The State of Louisiana was held to be not at fault in the accident.