Ryan A. Patino

Overview

A commercial litigator and trusted advisor, Ryan Patino represents businesses, property owners, developers, contractors, suppliers, and insurers in disputes involving contracts, construction projects, real estate transactions, insurance matters, and ongoing business relationships. As Of Counsel in O’Hagan Meyer’s Wilmington office, he brings a practical, business-minded approach to litigation, with first-chair experience in jury and non-jury proceedings involving construction, real estate, and business disputes.

Ryan also maintains a transactional and advisory practice, shaped in part by his experience assisting development companies in their day-to-day business activities. That background gives him a practical understanding of how legal issues affect project timelines, risk management, and commercial relationships. He advises clients on commercial leasing, development projects, construction and vendor agreements, property operations, zoning, title, and related commercial matters. Drawing on his litigation and transactional experience, Ryan helps clients evaluate disputes with an eye toward legal risk, business realities, cost, leverage, and long-term objectives.

Earlier in his career, he served as a special prosecutor in the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office and as an Attorney-Advisor to Administrative Law Judges, experiences that added to his practical, careful, and results-oriented approach to his work. Away from the office, Ryan enjoys golfing, playing tennis, spending time with his family and dog, and supporting Armenian-related events.

Experience

• First-chaired a multi-day construction arbitration arising from disputed workmanship and contract performance on a significant construction project, handling the matter through discovery, witness preparation, and the evidentiary hearing through resolution of the parties’ claims.
• Served as first-chair counsel in several real estate and construction matters, including jury and non-jury proceedings involving lease defaults, possession, contractual obligations, construction work, and discrimination allegations.
• Represented a building-materials supplier seeking nearly $200,000 in unpaid amounts for materials furnished to a federal construction project, pursuing claims against the contractor and payment-bond surety under the Miller Act.
• Represented a property owner following termination of a contractor on a substantial residential construction project, addressing disputed workmanship, more than $400,000 in projected completion costs, statutory payment issues, and competing claims through mediation and settlement negotiations.
• Defended a business against a substantial success-fee claim arising from a proposed multimillion-dollar asset sale that never proceeded to a definitive purchase agreement.
• Represented a shareholder in a closely held business dispute after disagreements over management, company expenditures, and control of the business led to a breakdown in the parties’ working relationship. The matter was resolved through a negotiated buyout of the client’s ownership interest, avoiding continued litigation and allowing the business to continue operating.
• Represented a minority shareholder in a dispute concerning access to corporate records, financial reporting, distributions, and alleged misuse of company assets by the controlling owners. The matter was resolved through disclosure of company records and an agreed separation of the parties’ business interests.
• Acted as a day-to-day legal advisor to a real estate development company on matters affecting its development portfolio, including acquisitions, leasing, construction, title and due diligence, zoning, property operations, and development-related agreements. In one matter, assisted with the acquisition and redevelopment of a commercial property from diligence and contracting through closing, construction, and operation, including review of title and lease issues, negotiation of project agreements, and coordination with development teams, contractors, and outside counsel.
• Negotiated the lease and development terms for a regulated manufacturing and distribution facility, including zoning contingencies, parking, security and operational requirements, insurance, assignment rights, and construction milestones necessary for the tenant’s proposed use.
• Assisted a development company in the acquisition of a 60-unit residential community, including review of title matters, leases, easements, governing documents, and other due diligence affecting the acquisition and continued operation of the property.

Publications

• Author, “Understanding Delaware’s Property Tax Overhaul: What You Need to Know with Appeal Deadlines Approaching,” March 7, 2025
• Author, “Delaware Court of Chancery Updates Rules: What You Need to Know!” October 2, 2023
• Author, “The Fair Housing Act: Enforcement Action,” Practical Guidance Practice Notice (LexisNexis), October 28, 2021

Professional

• Member, Delaware State Bar Association
• Member, Maryland State Bar Association