Ryan Gustafson focuses his practice on the defense of insureds and self-insureds in general liability matters, including personal injury defense, premises liability, construction defect and commercial disputes, as well as defending employers and insurers in workers’ compensation matters. Ryan has a wide range of litigation experience and has represented numerous Montana businesses, farmers and ranchers, as well as Fortune 500 companies and multinational corporations. He is admitted to practice before all Montana state and federal courts. Ryan also serves as a mediator and enjoys assisting people with resolving their disputes out-of-court.

Raised in Billings, Ryan attended the University of Montana where he obtained a B.A. in Business Administration with an emphasis in Finance and a minor in Political Science in 2008. While an undergraduate, Ryan was a member of the University of Montana Grizzlies Football Team. Ryan obtained his J.D. from the University of Montana School of Law in 2012.

Ryan has an AV Preeminent® Peer Review Rating™ from Martindale-Hubbell. He has been recognized as a Mountain States Super Lawyers “Rising Star” from 2020-2024. He has been recognized in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch from 2022-2025. He was also recognized as one of Billings Gazette’s “40 Under Forty” honorees in 2017. Ryan was past President of the Board of Directors of the Yellowstone Area Bar Association. He currently serves as Vice President of the Board of Directors of the University of Montana Alumni-Billings Chapter. He also serves on the Board of Directors of the HER Campaign, a nonprofit organization which provides safe homes, care, education and job opportunities for victims of domestic violence, sexual abuse and sex trafficking.

Outside of Ryan’s legal practice and community involvement, he enjoys traveling, hiking, fishing, hunting, and enjoying the incredible Montana outdoors with his wife Lindsey, their sons Theo and Lincoln, and their daughter Quinn.

PRACTICE AREAS

  • Insurance Defense
  • Premises Liability
  • Products Liability
  • Construction Defect
  • Commercial Litigation
  • Workers Compensation
  • Mediation Services

EDUCATION

  • University of Montana School of Law, J.D., 2012
  • University of Montana, B.A., 2008

BAR ADMISSIONS

  • Montana
  • U.S. District Courts, Montana

AWARDS & HONORS

  • Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent® Peer Review Rating™
  • Best Lawyers in America: Ones to Watch, 2022-2025
  • Mountain States Super Lawyers Rising Stars, 2020-2024
  • Billings Gazette “40 Under Forty” Honoree, 2017

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

  • American Bar Association
  • State Bar of Montana
  • Yellowstone Area Bar Association, Board of Directors
  • CLM

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

  • HER Campaign, Board of Directors
  • University of Montana Alumni-Billings Chapter, Board of Directors – Vice President