Jon is the co-founder of Jekielek & Janis and the managing partner of the firm’s New York City area office. Since his admission to the New York bar in 2007, Jon’s practice has been focused almost exclusively in the music and entertainment industries, uniquely representing his clients in high stakes litigation matters and in complex contract negotiations and business transactions.

 Jon represents the firm’s clients in both State and Federal Courts, bringing and defending claims for copyright infringement, breach of recording and co-publishing agreements and claims for unpaid artist, producer and publishing royalties.  On the transactional side, Jon represents creators and rights holders, negotiating major label recording agreements, talent agreements, co-publishing agreements, music and media licensing agreements and business /investment agreements related to various aspects of the music and entertainment industries.

 Jon has been selected / named as a “Super Lawyer’s Rising Star” every year since 2014, an honor bestowed upon less than 2.5% of all lawyers admitted in the State of New York.   In addition to the practice of law, Jon is a music industry entrepreneur, owning and operating an independent urban music record label and music licensing platform.  

EDUCATION

· Juris Doctor, Suffolk University Law School (2006)

· Drexel University, Bachelor of Science (2003)

ADMISSIONS

· New York

· U.S. District Courts:

Southern District of New York

Eastern District of New York

Northern District of New York

Western District of New York

Ryan began his legal career at a litigation firm in Philadelphia, PA where he gained substantial experience in both the state and federal courts. In 2012, he left that firm to form Jekielek & Janis.  His practice is concentrated on sports and intellectual property law, handling transactional and litigation matters.

Ryan has served as manager to high-level boxers and has significant experience in all aspects of the boxing industry.  He represents boxing managers and live event promoters in both transactional and litigation matters.  The transactional work focuses on negotiating and drafting contracts including boxer management and promotional agreements.  The litigation matters have encompassed claims related to sports memorabilia, trademark infringement, right of publicity, and general contract disputes.  Ryan also has unique experience dealing with state athletic control bodies.  He filed the first federal lawsuit ever asserting Civil Rights Act (42 U.S.C. § 1983) claims against a state athletic board and its president.  In that case, he represented two boxing managers who were denied due process when the New Jersey Athletic Control Board voided a boxer-manager contract without providing the managers an opportunity to be heard.  Ryan and his clients reached a favorable settlement during trial.

Sports and entertainment broadcast licensing is also a significant part of Ryan’s practice.  He regularly negotiates and secures licenses for all forms of broadcast rights, including linear and OTT (over-the-top) distribution.  He also works with multiple sports broadcast rights-holders to enforce claims related to the commercial misuse of entertainment programming. He has experience managing nationwide enforcement programs related to the unauthorized exhibition of Pay Per View programming by bars, restaurants, theaters, and other non-residential locations.  

Ryan has additional experience in business formation and counseling.  He serves as outside general counsel for small and medium sized businesses. Athletes, sports managers, media companies, on-air personalities, and fashion brands are among the clients that turn to Ryan for guidance. 

Ryan also proudly represents and supports non-profits on a pro bono basis.  Among these organizations are the Miracle League of Northampton County which provides sports facilities for families and children with disabilities and the Pennsylvania Golden Gloves whose mission is to provide an active and safe environment that promotes and enhances the physical and emotional well-being and social development of young athletes.

EDUCATION

· Rutgers Law School, Juris Doctor (2009)

Judicial Intern, Hon. Renee Marie Bumb, U.S. District Court of New Jersey (2008)

· Drexel University, Bachelor of Science (2006)

ADMISSIONS

· New Jersey

· Pennsylvania

· U.S. District Courts:

Eastern, Middle, and Western Districts of Pennsylvania

District of New Jersey

District of Colorado

District of Nebraska

Northern District of Florida

Eastern District of Wisconsin

Western District of Michigan