Ryan T. Scharnell

Ryan T. Scharnell is a trial lawyer who focuses his practice on complex civil and commercial litigation. With more than 16 years of experience, Ryan represents corporations and individuals in disputes involving commercial contracts, oil and gas, real estate, employment, and insurance. Ryan has served as trial counsel in numerous state and federal proceedings, including as lead counsel in a state-court jury trial.

His commercial litigation experience includes complex business and contractual disputes involving significant financial claims. He has represented clients in disputes arising from joint operating agreements, exploration and development agreements, and other oil and gas matters. Ryan's real estate practice includes condemnation proceedings, partition actions, and adverse possession disputes. He also represents employers in employment and labor disputes, including whistleblower matters, and has conducted corporate investigations involving personnel issues, regulatory compliance, and whistleblower complaints. His insurance-defense practice includes premises liability and toxic tort litigation. Ryan's appellate experience includes representing a client before the Oklahoma Supreme Court in Whittington v. Durant H.M.A., LLC, 521 P.3d 1281 (Okla. 2022), in which the Court reversed an award of attorney fees and costs against his client.

Given those accomplishments, Ryan has been recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® since 2023 in the areas of Commercial Litigation, Insurance Law, Litigation–Real Estate, and Oil and Gas Law. He has also co-authored publications addressing federal whistleblower protections, including developments under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.

Ryan has remained active in the Tulsa community, including service as Chair of the Governance Committee on the Board of Fab Lab Tulsa, Policy Committee member for the Ronald McDonald House Tulsa, and participation in Leadership Tulsa.

Outside of his legal practice, Ryan enjoys running with his wife, watching his boys participate in school sports and activities, weight training, competing in triathlons, and is an avid college football fan.