Ryan M. Maloney

/My focus

My practice focuses on advising and defending employers in all aspects of employment litigation in state and federal courts. I routinely defend clients against claims of wage-and-hour violations, employment discrimination, breach of noncompete and other restrictive covenants, retaliation, wrongful discharge, and harassment. I also advise clients on employment-related issues to minimize litigation and liability exposure, including leaves of absence, wage-and-hour compliance, and hiring and termination.

I have also handled a broad range of commercial litigation, including breach of contract, class actions, appeals, securities and cryptocurrency matters, business dissolutions, False Claims Act conflicts, false advertising matters, and other business disputes.

I draw on extensive experience to manage every stage of litigation—from early case assessment and dispositive motions to discovery, trial, and appeal.

Prior to joining Nixon Peabody, I served as a commercial litigation associate at a New York-based international law firm.

/Looking ahead

I’m closely tracking New York’s rapid shift on noncompete law and the spill over into trade secret and business tort litigation—especially the marked uptick in temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction disputes to protect confidential information. I’m also seeing employers pivot to tighter, more specific non-solicitation and confidentiality covenants that prioritize customer relationships and data protection interests over broad restraints.