Ryan McLane

Partner

Ryan is a partner in the firm’s Litigation & Dispute Resolution practice group. His practice focuses on the areas of business litigation, construction law, and medical malpractice defense. He has successfully represented clients at all levels of litigation, including jury trials and before appellate courts. Ryan is also experienced and effective in alternative dispute resolution techniques, and he has frequently obtained successful results for his clients through mediation and negotiation. 

Ryan has effectively represented hospitals, nursing homes, long-term care and senior living facilities, as well as healthcare professionals. He has also represented construction companies, insurance companies, and individuals, as well as a variety of small and medium-sized businesses in Kentucky and Ohio. He has served as the Chair of the Cincinnati Bar Association Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee, where he has moderated and produced continuing legal education seminars on the subjects of mediation and arbitration, and has served on the Kentucky Defense Counsel, Inc., Board of Directors. 

Ryan is a member of the People Working Cooperatively (PWC) Board of Directors and a founder and past president of the PWC Emerging Leaders Board. He is also a member of the PWC Development Committee. Ryan is a member of the St. Elizabeth Foundation Samaritans Committee. He is also a member of the Alliance for Catholic Urban Education Annual Appeal Committee. In 2021, Ryan received the Next Generation Leader Award in the category of Professional Services from the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Young Professionals. He is a member of Leadership Northern Kentucky Class of 2017.  

Ryan loves spending time with his family, especially traveling and exploring the outdoors together. He has a passion for running that has led him to qualifying for the Boston Marathon, and in 2023, coaching the Covington Catholic Middle School Track & Field team. Ryan enjoys reading, boating, and hiking, and he has an interest in ancient history.

Honors & Distinctions
  • Next Generation Leader Award, Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Young Professionals (2021)
  • Kentucky Super Lawyer – Super Lawyers Magazine (2024)
  • Kentucky Rising Star, Civil Litigation Defense – Super Lawyers Magazine (2013 – 2023)
  • Kentucky Colonel
  • Executive Editor, Journal of Natural Resources & Environmental Law (2007 – 2008)
Professional Affiliations
  • Kentucky Bar Association
  • Ohio State Bar Association
  • Cincinnati Bar Association
  • Northern Kentucky Bar Association
  • Cincinnati Bar Association Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee, past Chair
  • Kentucky Defense Counsel, Board of Directors (2018 – 2021)
  • Kentucky Academy of Hospital Attorneys
Notable Decisions
  • Appellate Decisions
    • Kemplin v. St. Elizabeth Healthcare, 2022-CA-0673-MR (Ky. App. 2023)
    • Di Battista v. St. Elizabeth Medical Center, Inc., et al., 2022-CA-152 (Ky. App. 2022) (Court of Appeals order dismissing opponent’s appeal).
    • Snedicor v. St. Elizabeth Medical Center, Inc., et al., 2021-CA-1434 (Ky. App. 2021) (Court of Appeals order dismissing opponent’s appeal). 
    • Hitch v. St. Elizabeth Medical Center, Inc., 2016 WL 1557734 (Ky. App. 2016)
    • Berger Family Real Estate, LLC v. City of Covington, 464 S.W. 3d 160 (Ky. App. 2015)
    • White v. Sanitation Dist. No. 1, 2014 WL 2795837 (Ky. App. 2014)
  •  

Notable Jury Trial Results

Defense verdict on behalf of real estate and construction company in breach of contract and fraud case. Jury returned verdict in favor of Ryan’s client, the real estate and construction company, awarding $0.00 to plaintiffs.

Defense verdict on behalf of physician and physician group in a wrongful death case seeking $8 Million involving an alleged failure to properly treat pulmonary embolism. Jury returned verdict in favor of Ryan’s clients, the physician and physician group, awarding $0.00 to plaintiff.

Defense verdict on behalf of physician and hospital system in a wrongful death case seeking $22 Million involving an alleged failure to diagnose aortic dissection. Jury returned verdict in favor of Ryan’s clients, the physician and hospital system, awarding $0.00 to plaintiffs.

Defense verdict on behalf of hospital system and hospital security officer in negligence case seeking $488,000. Jury returned verdict in favor of Ryan’s clients, the hospital system and security officer, awarding $0.00 to plaintiffs.

Defense verdict of behalf of nurse practitioner and hospital system in a wrongful death case seeking $7 Million involving an alleged failure to properly treat depression and bipolar disorder. Jury returned verdict in favor of Ryan’s clients, the nurse practitioner and hospital system, awarding $0.00 to plaintiffs.

Defense verdict on behalf of physician group in a wrongful death case seeking $3.3 Million involving an alleged failure to properly treat colon cancer and perform surgery. Jury returned a verdict in favor of Ryan’s clients, the physician and physician group, awarding $0.00 to plaintiffs.

Community Involvement
  • People Working Cooperatively, Board of Directors (2023-Present)
  • People Working Cooperatively, Development Committee, Member (2018-Present)
  • People Working Cooperatively, Emerging Leaders Board, Founder and Past President (2019-2023)
  • Covington Catholic Middle School Track & Field, Assistant Coach (2023)
  • St. Elizabeth Foundation, Young Patrons Guild, Member (2017-2022)
  • St. Elizabeth Foundation, Samaritans Committee, Member (2022-Present)
  • Diocese of Covington, Alliance for Catholic Urban Education, Leadership Appeal Solicitor (2015-Present)
  • Leadership Northern Kentucky Class of 2017, Member
  • Northern Kentucky Bar Association, Truancy Mediation Program, Mediator (2015-2016)
Presentations
  • A Primer on Medical Litigation, and Discussion on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Law and Medicine; — University of Cincinnati College of Medicine
  • Medical Review Panel: Procedures, Practical Considerations, and Hot Topics; — Leading Age Kentucky, 2017 Annual Conference, Louisville, Kentucky
  • Prepare to Meet Thy Mediator (or Meet Thy Doom): How to Gear Up for a Mutual-Benefit Conversation; — Cincinnati Bar Association, Solo/Small Firm Committee
  • Lawyer and Mediator Marketing 101: Laying the Groundwork for a Thriving Practice; — Cincinnati Bar Association, Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee
  • It’s Not Just Mediation: Preparing for a Resourceful Resolution; — Moderator, Cincinnati Bar Association Continuing Legal Education
  • Construction Management 427 — Construction Law and Legal Contracts; — Northern Kentucky University Guest Lecturer
  • Mechanic’s and Materialman’s Liens in Kentucky; — Northern Kentucky Home Builders Association Legal Update Seminar
Publications
  • Co-Author, Admissibility of Expert Opinion in Kentucky — Substantive and Procedural Considerations, Bench & Bar Magazine (Kentucky Bar Association, September/October 2019 Ed).
  • Contributing Author, Dressman Benzinger LaVelle psc, Ohio Construction Law (HLK Global Communications 2017).
  • Author, Protect Personal Assets from Corporate Debts, Northern Kentucky Builder Magazine
  • Author, Read the Contract, Northern Kentucky Builder Magazine
  • Author, Performance and Payment Bond Deadlines Must Be Followed Carefully Says Court of Appeals, Northern Kentucky Builder Magazine
  • Author, Use of the Revised I-9 Employment Verification Form Extended, Northern Kentucky Builder Magazine
  • Author, Avoiding a Risky Lien Waiver, Northern Kentucky Builder Magazine
Admissions
  • Commonwealth of Kentucky
  • State of Ohio
  • U.S. District Court, Southern District of Ohio
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Kentucky
  • U.S. District Court, Western District of Kentucky
11DBL Attorney Ryan McLane
Contact
rmclane@dbllaw.com
(859) 426-2143

Education

J.D., University of Kentucky College of Law, 2008
B.A., University of Kentucky, summa cum laude, 2005

Practice Areas

Construction
Litigation & Dispute Resolution
Medical Liability

11Super Lawyers Ryan McLane