Atty. Ryan E. Griffin
Ryan Griffin provides creative legal advice and strong advocacy to unions and working people. Ryan Griffin joined James & Hoffman in 2013 following a fellowship in the Service Employees International Union’s Legal Department, where he worked to expand and defend organizing rights and workplace protections for homecare workers excluded from most federal and state labor and employment laws including the NLRA and FLSA.
Labor and Employment Attorney · Serving Washington, DC · 16+ Years Experience
Profile Summary
About Ryan E. Griffin at a Glance
Ryan E. Griffin is a Partner based in Washington, District of Columbia, practicing at James & Hoffman, P.C.. They have 16+ years of legal experience, licensed to practice since 2010. Their practice focuses on employment. Admitted to practice in Maryland (2010) and District of Columbia U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth and Ninth Circuits (2012). Educated at University of Minnesota (J.D., 2010) and University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire (B.A., 2003). Serves clients in Washington, DC and the surrounding metropolitan area.
Get Legal Help from Ryan E. Griffin in Washington
Sign up free and choose one of the two methods below.
Have a legal question? Sign up free, submit it through the Ask the Attorney module and receive a focused answer from a specialist.
- Free to ask a question
- Answers from specialist attorneys
- Optional private / anonymous question
Request an online video meeting or an in-person consultation at the attorney's office. Pick a time that works for you and share the details securely.
- Online video meeting
- In-person at the attorney's office
- Secure messaging and payment
About Ryan E. Griffin
- Ryan Griffin provides creative legal advice and strong advocacy to unions and working people
- Ryan Griffin joined James & Hoffman in 2013 following a fellowship in the Service Employees International Union’s Legal Department, where he worked to expand and defend organizing rights and workplace protections for homecare workers excluded from most federal and state labor and employment laws including the NLRA and FLSA
- Mr. Griffin currently advises, litigates, and negotiates on behalf of international and local unions and individuals employed in the public and private sectors and the international civil service
- Representative matters for Mr. Griffin include: Impact litigation in support of union organizing including helping to develop the theories used in groundbreaking NLRB litigation seeking to hold McDonald’s accountable as the joint employer of its franchisees’ employees
- Advising international unions with respect to strategic organizing campaigns, legislative initiatives, and federal agency rulemaking proceedings
- Representing local unions in bargaining and in grievance and interest arbitrations
- Successfully defending unions against duty-of-fair representation claims at both the district court and appellate levels
- Whistleblower litigation under the False Claims Act and Anti-Kickback Statute in a suit leading to intervention by the Department of Justice and settlements worth more than $20 million
- Successfully defending whistleblowers in a case of first impression before the World Bank Administrative Tribunal, along with many other cases on behalf of international civil service employees in that Tribunal and other international dispute resolution forums
- Litigating pay disputes on behalf of federal employees in the Court of Federal Claims and the Federal Circuit
- Advising and representing public- and private-sector employees with respect to severance negotiations, non-compete agreements, settlement negotiations, mediation, and other individual employment matters
- Federal court wage-and-hour litigation on behalf of low-wage fast food and construction workers
- Mr. Griffin received his law degree from the University of Minnesota Law School in 2010, magna cum laude, and served as an Articles Editor on the Minnesota Law Review
- While in law school, he worked for the Appellate Court Litigation Branch of the NLRB and for the Public Defender’s Office in St. Paul, Minnesota
- Mr. Griffin received his B.A. from the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire in 2003, where he studied political science and music
- He is a member of the Bars of the District of Columbia and Maryland
- In 2023 and 2024, Ryan was named one of the 500 leading plaintiff employment and civil rights lawyers in the United States by Lawdragon
Practice Areas Explained
Ryan E. Griffin's Areas of Legal Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Ryan E. Griffin handles, with a practical overview of what that area of law involves and how it may apply to your situation in Washington.
Employment Law in Washington
Employment lawyers represent workers in wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment, wage & hour disputes, and severance negotiations.
Ryan E. Griffin is one of 167,770 employment attorneys indexed nationally. Browse employment attorneys in District of Columbia →
Jurisdictional Context
Why Local Counsel Matters in Washington
Practicing law in District of Columbia. Legal matters in District of Columbia are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Washington are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate District of Columbia state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in District of Columbia brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this venue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in District of Columbia courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.
Washington Courts and Legal Process
Choosing a Washington-based attorney means your counsel already knows the local docketing timelines, preferred filing formats, and how individual judges typically rule on procedural motions — details that only come from practicing in this jurisdiction day after day. That local familiarity can translate to better strategy, faster filings, and fewer costly surprises.
Looking for additional District of Columbia attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Washington or all attorneys in District of Columbia.
Frequently Asked
Common Questions About Ryan E. Griffin
Where is Ryan E. Griffin's law office located?
What practice areas does Ryan E. Griffin handle?
How long has Ryan E. Griffin practiced law?
Where did Ryan E. Griffin go to law school?
How can I contact Ryan E. Griffin for a consultation?
Professional Profile
Why Clients in Washington Choose Ryan E. Griffin
Selecting an attorney is one of the most consequential decisions you can make when a legal matter arises. Below are the core qualities that distinguish Ryan E. Griffin's practice in the field of employment.
Decade-Tested Legal Experience
Ryan E. Griffin brings 16+ years of hands-on legal practice — enough to have navigated the recurring fact patterns, procedural traps, and negotiation dynamics that shape case outcomes.
Multi-State Bar Admission
Licensed in Maryland and District of Columbia U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth and Ninth Circuits, Ryan E. Griffin can represent clients in cases that span state lines or require counsel in multiple jurisdictions.
Focused Employment Practice
Concentrating on employment means Ryan E. Griffin's knowledge of relevant statutes, case law, and procedural nuances stays current — unlike generalist practices that spread attention across unrelated fields.
Local Presence in Washington
A Washington-based practice means Ryan E. Griffin attends hearings in the same courthouses, knows the local clerks, and understands the unwritten scheduling norms that affect every case filed here.
Case Types
Common Legal Issues Ryan E. Griffin Handles in Washington
Below is a representative sample of the types of matters Ryan E. Griffin has experience with under District of Columbia law. If your situation involves one of these case categories, this attorney may be well positioned to help you understand your options.
This list is illustrative, not exhaustive. Contact Ryan E. Griffin directly to discuss the specifics of your situation.
Search Reference
How People Find Ryan E. Griffin Online
Prospective clients searching for legal help in Washington commonly use a combination of the attorney's name and their specific legal need. The following search terms frequently lead people to this profile and to attorneys like Ryan E. Griffin.
If any of the above matches what you searched for, you've found the right profile. Use the contact options at the top of this page to get in touch with Ryan E. Griffin directly.
Ryan E. Griffin's Practice Areas & Specializations
Education & Law School Background
Bar Admissions & Licensed Jurisdictions
Client Reviews & Ratings — Ryan E. Griffin
No reviews yet.