Ryan C. Hardy
Partner
Financial Services & Restructuring
Ryan is a partner in the Financial Services & Restructuring Group. He guides clients through complex financial disputes both in and out of bankruptcy courts. Ryan’s bankruptcy representations have included debtors, secured lenders, trade creditors, landlords, official committees, and asset buyers. In those roles, Ryan has led litigation on scores of issues including collateral disputes, adequate protection, DIP facilities, dismissals and conversions, plan confirmation, stay relief, employment matters, and chapter V actions.
Ryan also retains a robust practice outside the bankruptcy courts, including representing debt collectors in consumer litigation and related regulatory matters, defending financial institutions against borrower claims, and representing parties interested in receivership proceedings. He has first-chair trial and arbitration experience and has briefed and argued appeals before the Seventh and Eighth Circuit Courts of Appeals and various state appellate courts.
Ryan earned his J.D., magna cum laude, from St. Louis University School of Law and his B.A. from the University of Puget Sound.
In his spare time, Ryan enjoys running, reading, and cooking.
Additional Information
Education & Admissions
Education
- Saint Louis University School of Law, J.D., magna cum laude
- University of Puget Sound, B.A.
Bar Admissions
- Illinois
- Missouri
Memberships
- American Bankruptcy Institute
- Turnaround Management Association
- Commercial Receivers Association
- Chicago Bar Association
Awards
- Best Lawyers in America, Commercial Litigation, 2023, 2025
- Missouri and Kansas Super Lawyers, Rising Star, 2014-2019
Q&A
What’s the best compliment you ever received from a client?
The best compliment I ever received from a client was that they sent me all their “weird stuff,” regardless of practice area, because they knew they could count on me to untangle difficult and unusual matters.If you weren’t an attorney, what would you be?
I would still want to work in the law even if I wasn’t a practicing private attorney—perhaps as a professor or a career law clerk. If the law was off the table entirely I would try my hand at using my investigation and writing skills as a journalist.What was the first album you ever bought?
I bought Workingman’s Dead on the mistaken belief a Beatles song I heard on the radio was by the Grateful Dead. I loved the album anyway and never looked back.
