Kunzler Bean & Adamson

      Ryan Bell

      Partner

      Expertise: Commercial Litigation, Intellectual Property, Trade Secrets, Defamation
      Licensed: Utah State and Federal Courts, Utah Supreme Court
      Education: Georgetown University Law Center

      rbell@kba.law | (801) 939-3686

      Ryan Bell is an experienced trial attorney with a broad range of litigation and trial expertise. He focuses on disputes in the areas of intellectual property, trade secrets, and defamation, and related disputes such as NDA’s, non-competes, and other commercial contract problems. Ryan has litigated significant matters for large and small technology and healthcare companies, public universities, consulting firms, professors and other individuals. He joined Kunzler Bean & Adamson’s litigation team after more than a decade at one of Utah’s largest and most highly-regarded law firms.

      Just as a physician’s first mandate is to “do no harm,” Ryan operates with the philosophy that a truly effective litigator will, first and foremost find creative ways to de-escalate conflicts and efficiently resolve problems. Where disputes are necessary, his approach is to clearly identify, and doggedly pursue, the most efficient paths to victory for his clients. This strategy-focused, aggressive litigation approach has produced major jury verdicts, settlements, and defense victories for Ryan’s clients. His clients appreciate his excellent oral advocacy skills, top flight writing abilities, and deep experience in negotiations.

      Ryan maintains an AV Preeminent (4.5) rating with Martindale-Hubbell, which is the highest rating awarded to attorneys for professional competence and ethics and has also been voted by his peers throughout the state as one of Utah’s “Legal Elite,” as published in Utah Business Magazine, for many years.

      Representative cases include winning a six figure jury verdict in Federal Court for a Plaintiff in a defamation case, representing a national construction company in a complex, multi-million dollar lawsuit, and negotiating a software dispute between two technology companies to an advantageous out-of-court resolution.

      Active in the community, when he isn’t working, you can find Ryan leading the Model United Nations team for his local high school, coaching youth soccer teams, playing tennis, or skiing with his family.

      Read more about Mr. Bell’s defamation experience here:

      Ryan Bell – Premier Defamation Lawyer

      RECENT VICTORIES

       

      • August 2024 – Prevailed on appeal in seeking dismissal of client in defamation case based on “conspiracy theory” of jurisdiction.” In a unanimous decision by the Utah Supreme Court, after complex briefing and oral argument, obtained full dismissal of claims against KB&A client in multi-party defamation case.
      • July 2024 – In two separate defamation lawsuits, overcame motions to dismiss based on new anti-SLAPP legislation (UPEPA) to win the right to take extraordinary discovery in both cases.  Later winning a resounding victory in one case and reaching an agreement in the other case.  Additional details available here.
      • November 2022 – In defamation litigation on behalf of United States Senate candidate Evan McMullin, succeeded in motion to block attempts by Super PAC Club for Growth to force deposition of Mr. McMullin prior to the Senate election. Press coverage available here.
      • October 2022 – Received Final Award in long-running California arbitration over claims of fraud and mismanagement in successful nutritional products company. Award absolved KB&A’s client on all substantive claims and declined to grant emergency punitive relief requested by opponents.
      • September 2022 – Prevailed on motion to exclude economic damages on the eve of trial on behalf of client being sued by ex-husband for defamation. After jury selection, the Court heard KB&A’s motion to exclude all economic damages, resulting in complete exclusion of economic damages of approximately $1,000,000. The case settled soon afterward, before commencement of trial.
      • June 2022 – Prevailed in long-running multi-billion dollar trade secret dispute, litigated on behalf of State-run research entity being sued over complex satellite technology. The Tenth Circuit issued a 109-page decision ruling in favor of Mr. Bell’s client (co-represented by Beth Ranschau of Ray Quinney & Nebeker) Advanced Weather Systems after an extensive appeals period, finding that the Plaintiff’s claims were unsupported as lacking causation. Opinion available here. See also writeup by Mr. Bell’s co-counsel firm here.
      • May 2022 – Prevailed on motion to exclude $800,000 damages claim in defamation dispute between energy companies processing waste in Uinta Basin. KB&A’s motion wiped out all damages alleged in case, forcing plaintiff to amend complaint to allege new claims.
      HONORS & EDUCATION
      • Georgetown University Law Center, J.D., 2003
      • Brigham Young University, B.S., 1999
      • Utah Legal Elite – multiple years
      HISTORY & EXPERIENCE
      • Ray Quinney & Nebeker, 2006-2017
      • Snow, Christensen & Martineau, 2004-2006
      • Judicial Clerkship, Honorable Ted Stewart, U.S. District Court for the District of Utah, 2003-2004
      ADMISSIONS & PRACTICE
      • Utah State and Federal Courts
      • Utah Supreme Court
      LECTURES & PUBLICATIONS