G. Ryan Willis
Trial-Tested. Client-Focused. Defense You Can Trust
Ryan is a Raleigh-based criminal defense attorney with over 20 years of experience representing clients in North Carolina’s state and federal courts. He focuses on high-level felony cases, including drug trafficking, white collar crimes, violent offenses, and sex crimes. He has tried more than 35 cases to verdict and is known for securing acquittals in complex, high-stakes trials.
Ryan has successfully defended clients accused of first-degree murder, armed robbery, felony assault, and second-degree rape. He also works behind the scenes to protect clients during investigations, often preventing charges from being filed or convincing prosecutors to dismiss weak cases.
In federal matters, Ryan regularly handles cases involving healthcare fraud, conspiracy, public corruption, and federal drug charges. He represents clients served with Grand Jury subpoenas or target letters and has negotiated non-prosecution agreements and favorable resolutions in multiple jurisdictions.
In addition to individual clients, Ryan has served as outside counsel to companies facing criminal exposure, offering strategic compliance advice and risk management during government investigations.
A former Wake County prosecutor and Raleigh native, Ryan is deeply rooted in the local legal community. He co-founded a boutique criminal defense firm and later worked at a national law firm before launching his own practice, where he continues to offer trusted, strategic counsel for serious criminal and white collar matters.
- University of North Carolina School of Law
- J.D. (2004)
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- North Carolina State University
- B.A. (1997) | History
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- Honors: Magna Cum Laude
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- Shareholder
- Maynard Nexsen
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- Founding Partner
- Dysart Willis
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- Partner
- Willis Johnson & Nelson PLLC
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- associate attorney
- Manning & Crouch
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- Assistant District Attorney
- Wake County District Attorney's Office
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- Best Lawyer
- Best Lawyers in America
- North Carolina Superlawyer
- Superlawyers
- 2018-2025
- Rising Stars
- Superlawyers
- Rising Stars selection 2012-2016
- American Bar Association
- member
- Current
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- North Carolina Advocates for Justice
- member
- Current
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- Wake County Bar Association
- member
- Current
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- North Carolina Bar Association
- member
- Current
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- National College of DUI Defense
- Current
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- National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
- member
- - Current
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- North Carolina
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- 4th Circuit
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- Free Consultation
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Credit Cards Accepted
Visa, Mastercard, Discover
- Criminal Law
- Criminal Appeals, Drug Crimes, Expungement, Fraud, Gun Crimes, Internet Crimes, Sex Crimes, Theft, Violent Crimes
- DUI & DWI
- White Collar Crime
- Traffic Tickets
- Suspended License
- English: Spoken, Written