Ryan C. Griffin

Partner

Ryan Griffin is a trial lawyer, business advisor, and community leader whose career is defined by his ability to bridge the worlds of law and business. A shareholder in Johnson Pope’s St. Petersburg office, Ryan represents companies, investors, and entrepreneurs across Florida in complex commercial disputes, construction and development matters, partnership dissolutions, real estate litigation, and land use and zoning issues. His practice spans both state and federal courts, but his influence extends far beyond the courtroom—into the boardroom, the conference table, and the community.

With dual degrees in law and business (J.D. and M.B.A., Stetson University), Ryan brings a rare combination of legal skill, financial acumen, and entrepreneurial insight. He’s not only represented business owners—he’s been one. Having built and operated numerous successful hospitality and real estate ventures in the Tampa Bay area, Ryan understands firsthand the pressures, risks, and opportunities that come with running a business. That experience informs everything he does, from crafting litigation strategies to negotiating resolutions that protect both relationships and returns.

Ryan’s clients include developers, contractors, professional firms, hospitality groups, medical partnerships, and private investors—organizations that value his ability to see the entire playing field. He has handled disputes involving multimillion-dollar construction projects, high-value real estate assets, and complex ownership structures, and often steps in as outside general counsel to help companies navigate growth, restructuring, and transition. Whether the challenge involves an urgent injunction, a delicate buyout, or a contentious zoning issue, Ryan’s steady leadership and practical judgment guide clients toward solutions that make business and financial sense.

Known for his approachable, strategic style, Ryan is the person clients call when things get complicated. He combines calm confidence with deep knowledge of how businesses operate, giving clients clarity and control in the moments that matter most. His focus is always the same: to move clients from uncertainty to resolution—efficiently, decisively, and with an eye toward long-term success.

Representative Matters

• Advised developers and commercial property owners on litigation and administrative matters involving ad valorem tax assessments, zoning and permitting challenges, and large-scale development approvals throughout Florida.

• Represented contractors, property owners, and design professionals in multimillion-dollar construction cases, including claims for defective work, payment disputes, and enforcement of lien and bond rights.

• Guided companies through “business divorces” and crisis transitions, developing practical solutions that balanced legal protection with business preservation, often preventing prolonged or destructive litigation.

• Handled real estate and hospitality industry disputes involving lease enforcement, management agreements, vendor relationships, and operational conflicts for hotels, restaurants, and entertainment venues.

Bar Admissions

• Florida
• United States District Courts (Middle, Northern & Southern Districts of Florida)

• United States Court of Appeals (Eleventh Circuit)

Education

• University of Florida, B.S., Business Administration, 2001
• Stetson University College of Law, J.D., 2005

• Stetson University, M.B.A., 2005

Awards & Recognition

• The Best Lawyers in America®, Litigation – Construction, Litigation – Real Estate, Real Estate Law, 2021 – 2025
• Super Lawyers “Rising Star,” 2013 – 2016
• Florida Super Lawyers, 2024, 2025

• St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce Member of the Year, 2018

Community & Professional Organizations

• St. Petersburg Bar Association
  • Board of Directors Member, 2019 – 2025
  • President, 2023 – 2024
• American Bar Association
  • Member
• Hillsborough Bar Association
  • Member
• St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce
  • Public Policy Chair, 2016
  • Chair, 2020
  • Executive Committee, 2016 – 2021
  • Immediate Past Chair, 2021 – 2022
  • Board of Governors, 2014 – 2025
  • Building Committee Chair, 2022 – 2025
• St. Petersburg Economic Development Corporation
  • Board of Governors, 2023-2025
• City of St. Petersburg Grow Smarter Economic Development Strategy
  • Chair, 2017 – 2019
• The ARC of Tampa Bay
  • President, 2010
  • Board of Directors, 2006 – 2014
• St. Petersburg Art Alliance
  • Board Member, 2022 – 2024
  • President, 2024 – 2025
• Lawyers for Literacy
  • Member
• Partner in Self-Sufficiency, Assisting Low-Income Families Achieve Economic Self-Sufficiency
  • Board of Directors
• Orlando Health Bayfront Hospital Philanthropy Council
  • Board of Directors, 2022 – 2024
  • President 2024 – Present
• Salvador Dali Museum
  • Guild Member, 2023 – 2025

  • Suenos de Dali Honorary Chair, 2023 & 2024

Outside the Office

Ryan believes that strong communities and strong businesses are inseparable—and his career reflects both. For more than two decades, he has played a central role in shaping the growth and identity of St. Petersburg, serving as President of the St. Petersburg Bar Association, Chair of the St. Petersburg Chamber of Commerce, and a driving force behind numerous civic, economic, and arts initiatives. His leadership has helped unite local business owners, city officials, and community organizations around a shared vision of sustainable development and opportunity.

Beyond the courtroom, Ryan is also a committed entrepreneur who has helped transform the Tampa Bay hospitality landscape. He has co-founded and operated several of the region’s most recognizable concepts—including The Mandarin Hide, Mandarin Heights, El Cap, Trophy Fish, and Perry’s Porch—each designed to bring people together and contribute to the vibrancy of the community. His work in real estate development and hospitality gives him a unique understanding of the business pressures and creative challenges his clients face every day.

He credits these ventures with keeping him grounded in the realities of ownership, investment, and risk—insight that shapes his approach to practicing law. Whether advising a start-up, negotiating a commercial lease, or resolving a high-stakes partnership dispute, Ryan approaches every matter with the mindset of someone who understands what it takes to build and sustain a successful business.

Outside the office, he enjoys time with his wife and young son, often coaching youth sports or spending weekends exploring the same community he helps strengthen through his work. Balancing family, business, and service, Ryan finds his greatest fulfillment in helping others succeed—both in the courtroom and in the community he calls home.