Ryan Lipes brings his experience as a former federal prosecutor and legal counsel to the U.S. Center for SafeSport, and his work on landmark sports legislation, directly to your defense. His background gives him unique insight into the struggles faced by professional, collegiate, and Olympic athletes, as well as coaches, teams, executives, and other sports stakeholders.
"As an attorney, I think one of my strengths is understanding both sides of sports compliance—helping organizations meet their obligations while ensuring athletes receive fair treatment and representation." ~ Ryan Lipes
Trial Attorney With a Real-World Athlete Focus
A graduate of Harvard Law School and Duke University, Ryan possesses a deep understanding of both criminal and civil litigation strategies. He has tried cases to juries in state and federal courts around the country, including New York, Colorado, Minnesota, and the District of Columbia. Before joining Global Sports Advocates, Ryan served as a prosecutor with the U.S. Department of Justice, where he prosecuted international violent crimes and human rights offenses. His legal career began at the Manhattan District Attorney's Office, where he led grand jury investigations and tried numerous cases. These experiences taught him how to examine witness testimony critically—a crucial skill when challenging evidence in athlete eligibility or anti-doping hearings.
Ryan's time as Senior Legal Counsel for the U.S. Center for SafeSport placed him at the heart of athlete eligibility disputes when they mattered most. He secured the dismissal of a lawsuit by a suspended athlete seeking Olympic team placement just weeks before the Tokyo Games—preserving the integrity of team selection while demonstrating his ability to win high-stakes eligibility disputes.
During his tenure at SafeSport, Ryan provided strategic counsel to senior leadership and the board of directors while representing the organization in arbitration proceedings. This insider’s view gives him unmatched insight into how decisions are made in sports governing bodies, which he now brings to practice with Global Sports Advocates.
Ryan also played a key role in handling congressional investigations and drafting sections of the Empowering Olympic, Paralympic, and Amateur Athletes Act of 2020—legislation that fundamentally reshaped athlete rights in U.S Olympic sports. His contributions to this watershed law demonstrate his commitment to fair treatment for athletes at all levels.
He is admitted to practice law in New York and Colorado.
What You Might Find Interesting About Ryan
Ryan grew up in rural Illinois along the Iowa border. In high school, he was a three-sport athlete, competing in football, basketball, and track, where he achieved a 6'9" high jump. Today, he balances his legal practice with recreational skiing and running, along with travel to favorite destinations such as Spain and Greece.