Ryan W. Porte, Esq

Ryan’s practice focuses on counseling and defending employers in class, representative, and single-plaintiff employment matters. He has substantial experience defending wage-and-hour claims involving minimum wage, overtime, meal and rest periods, unreimbursed business expenses, and wage statements, as well as claims for harassment, discrimination, retaliation, wrongful termination, and serious and willful injury.

Ryan has handled all phases of litigation, including investigations, administrative proceedings, mediation, class certification, dispositive motions, depositions, and trial. His practice has included matters in state and federal court and before the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board, the Department of Industrial Relations, and the Agricultural Labor Relations Board.

Before founding Porte Law, Ryan practiced at an Am Law 100 firm in Fresno, where he represented employers in the agricultural, staffing, retail, construction, and transportation industries. While in law school, he externed for the Honorable Lawrence J. O’Neill, then Chief Judge of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California.

Before law school, Ryan served as an officer in the United States Army. After completing Airborne and Ranger School, he deployed to Afghanistan in 2010 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, where he earned the Bronze Star Medal for meritorious service. He later served as a Company Commander and was honorably discharged after nearly eight years of service.

Education

J.D., with honors — University of California, Hastings College of the Law
M.A. — University of Oklahoma
B.A. — University of California, Santa Barbara

Bar & Court Admissions

All California State Courts
U.S. District Court, Eastern District of California
U.S. District Court, Northern District of California
U.S. District Court, Southern District of California
U.S. District Court, Central District of California

Professional Activities

State Bar of California
Fresno County Bar Association
American Society of Safety Professionals
Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM)

Presentations

California Class Action and PAGA for HR Professionals, April 2026
Farm Labor Contractor Wage and Hour Law and Good Grower Relations, 2022–2026
Legal Liability and Risk Management for Safety Professionals, May 2025
Legal Liability for Safety Violations, July 2024
California-Compliant Anti-Harassment Training for Employees and Supervisors, February 2023
Understanding and Mitigating Risk and Legal Liability from Disgruntled Employees, April 2022
Large Loss Preparedness for Business, January 2022
Sexual Harassment and Abusive Conduct Prevention, November 2021