Charles Ryan Germany

Ryan Germany is a partner in the firm’s Atlanta office, where he leads the Political and Election Law Group. Prior to joining Gilbert Harrell, Ryan served as general counsel to the Georgia Secretary of State, where he guided the office through some of the most fiercely contested and heavily litigated elections in the state’s history.

Ryan’s practice includes all aspects of government and regulatory law, particularly election law, government investigations, and state regulatory enforcement actions. He is also experienced in complex commercial disputes. He advises businesses, elected officials, candidates, state and local governments, independent and candidate committees, and non-profit organizations on all aspects of election and campaign finance law. He also advises businesses and non-profit organizations in regulatory and compliance matters.

Ryan previously served as the Assistant Commissioner of Securities for the State of Georgia. In that role, he oversaw the state’s regulation of the securities and charities industries, including investigations and enforcement actions under the Georgia Uniform Securities Act and Georgia Charitable Solicitations Act. He has advised clients involved in Congressional oversight investigations and Department of Justice inquiries, as well as other government enforcement actions.

Ryan was a finalist for the Fulton County Daily Report Attorney of the Year in 2021 and has been named one of Georgia’s Most Influential Attorneys by James Magazine. He has also been named a Super Lawyers Rising Star in commercial litigation. He is a member of The Federalist Society, where he serves on the Executive Board of the Atlanta Lawyer’s Chapter, and a member of the American Enterprise Institute’s Leadership Network.

Ryan graduated cum laude from Washington & Lee University School of Law, where he served on the Executive Committee of the Student Body and currently serves on the Law Council. He received his undergraduate degrees, magna cum laude, from the University of Georgia.