Ryan Costello

Ryan is an associate in Tonkon Torp’s Litigation Department with a practice focused on commercial disputes. Ryan is valued for his diligence in pursuing client goals, his careful parsing of precedent, and his creative legal arguments. Moreover, his extensive trial experience affords him an assured and calm demeanor in negotiations and in the courtroom. 

Prior to joining Tonkon Torp, Ryan worked as a staff attorney with the Metropolitan Public Defender as part of the Minor Felonies unit. There, he regularly managed over 100 active cases, reviewing discovery, conducting investigations, drafting motions, and holistically discussing cases with each client. Working closely with clients, he negotiated pre-trial offers with the state, litigated numerous pre-trial motions, and took many cases to trial, both before juries and the bench.

During law school, Ryan worked as a Judicial Extern to the Hon. Rebecca A. Duncan at the Oregon Supreme Court, assisting on criminal, administrative law, business, and civil litigation appeals. Ryan earned his law degree, Order of the Coif, from the University of Oregon School of Law, where he was a recipient of the Oregon Merit, Mark E. Johnson, and Jackie and Sol Israel Scholarships. Additionally, Ryan served as a legal research and writing, constitutional law, and civil procedure tutor and was a staff and associate editor with the Oregon Law Review. Ryan also externed at the Federal Public Defender for the District of Oregon, litigated cases in the criminal defense clinic, volunteered for the Springfield-Eugene Tenant’s Association, and graduated with Pro Bono honors.

In his free time, Ryan enjoys travelling, cooking, exercising, and attending concerts and comedy shows. He is an avid soccer player and supporter of Liverpool Football Club.