Throughout his legal career, Ryan has successfully represented clients in a wide range of complex civil litigation matters, earning favorable outcomes in cases involving personal injury, construction disputes, employment law, and business litigation. His track record of case successes reflects a practical, results-driven approach to resolving disputes while protecting his clients’ interests. View a selection of Ryan’s notable case results below.
As an experienced litigator and certified mediator, Ryan now leverages that extensive courtroom and negotiation experience to help parties find efficient, cost-effective resolutions through mediation in Wyoming and Texas.
Ryan’s Wyoming Supreme Court Cases include:
- Cardenas v. Fossen, 558 P.3d 943 (Wyo. 2024);
- Pioneer Homestead Apartments III v. Sargent Engineers, Inc. 421 P.3d 1074, (Wyo. 2018)
- Pennaco Energy, Inc. v. KD Co. LLC, 363 P.3d 18 (Wyo. 2015) – representing Petroleum Association of Wyoming, Amicus Curiae in Support of Pennaco Energy Inc.
- Shafer v. TNT Well Service, Inc. 285 P.3d 958 (Wyo. 2012);
- Black Diamond Energy Partners 2001 – A Ltd v. S & T Bank, 278 P.3d 738 (Wyo. 2012);
- Vision 2007 v. Lexstar Development and Construction Company, LLC, 255 P.3d 914 (Wyo. 2011);
- Rice v. Collins Communication, Inc. et al, 236 P.3d 1009 (Wyo. 2010).
- WSP, Inc v. Wyoming Steel, Inc. 158 P.3d 651 (Wyo. 2007);
- State of Wyoming v. Nelson, 49 P.3d 185 (Wyo. 2002);
Ryan also contributed significant time and effort assisting counsel on the following cases:
- State ex rel. State Treasurer of Wyoming v. Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. 349 P.3d 979 (Wyo. 2015.
- Ohio Casualty v. McMurry Construction, 230 P.3d 312 (Wyo. 2010);
- Grommet v. Newman, 220 P.3d 795 (Wyo. 2009);
- Werner Enterprises, Inc. v. Brophy, 218 P.3d 948 (Wyo. 2009);
- Ripley v. Wyoming Medical Center, 559 F. 3d 1119 (10th Cir. 2009);
- City of Gillette v. Hladky Construction, 196 P.3d 184 (Wyo. 2008);
- McMurry Construction v. Community First Insurance,160 P.3d 71 (Wyo. 2007);
- Qwest v. Wyoming Department of Revenue, 103 P.3d 507 (Wyo. 2006);
Williams, Porter, Day & Neville recently secured a full defense verdict following a four-day bench trial in federal court. The case involved claims of breach of contract, insurance bad faith, and statutory attorney’s fees stemming from an auto accident and subsequent underinsured motorist claim. After a four-day bench trial, the Court issued a written ruling in favor of our client on all claims. The Court concluded the insurer acted appropriately and in line with industry standards. This outcome highlights WPDN’s continued success in complex civil litigation and insurance defense.
First Year Associate
Williams, Porter, Day & Neville, P.C. is looking for a full-time associate attorney for its Casper office. WPDN has a robust civil litigation practice focusing on representing transportation companies, physicians and hospitals, school districts, employers, insurance companies, and business and corporate clients.
The ideal candidate will be licensed or have a pending bar admission for the State of Wyoming, and will have a superior academic record and excellent writing skills. Applicants will need to demonstrate an ability to analyze, organize and evaluate evidence, as well as apply civil practice rules, and present their arguments in a cogent and thoughtful matter. Regional travel will occasionally be required.
Salary is $75k per year, or commensurate with experience, and contains a built in bonus structure based on receivables. WPDN also provides benefits including: 401k, 401k matching, health insurance, life insurance, dental insurance, generous vacation and sick leave, and health savings account.
Apply now by emailing your resume to info@wpdn.net
Lateral Associate
Williams, Porter, Day & Neville, P.C. is looking for a full-time lateral associate attorney for its Casper office. WPDN has a robust civil litigation practice focusing on representing hospitals, school districts, employers, and business and corporate clients.
The ideal candidate will have three to five years experience and be licensed in the State of Wyoming. Candidates should have a superior academic record and experience in discovery and Motion practice. Trial practice experience would be beneficial.
Applicants will need to demonstrate an ability to analyze, organize and evaluate evidence, as well as apply civil practice rules, and present their arguments in a cogent and thoughtful matter. Regional travel will occasionally be required.
Salary is commensurate with experience but contains a built in bonus structure based on receivables and starts at $85k per year. WPDN also provides benefits including: 401k, 401k matching, health insurance, life insurance, dental insurance, generous vacation and sick leave, and health savings account.
Apply now by emailing your resume to info@wpdn.net
After more than thirty years of distinguished service in the legal profession—including a decade as a trusted leader at Williams, Porter, Day, and Neville (WPDN)—Charlie Chapin officially retired on December 31, 2024. Known for his unwavering dedication, compassionate approach, and professional excellence, Chapin leaves behind a legacy that has deeply impacted both his clients and his colleagues.
For Chapin, the decision to become an attorney was made early—he knew by the age of 8 that he wanted to follow in the footsteps of his father, the late Don Chapin, a highly respected attorney in Wyoming. “I watched my father with great admiration,” Chapin shared. “I wanted to make a difference in the lives of others and provide a valuable and honorable service to the community, just as he did.”
Growing up in the close-knit community of Casper,Wyoming Chapin recalled a happy childhood filled with simple joys and unwavering family support. “We played outside until late, walked to school, and never locked our doors. It was a wonderful time to grow up,” he said. However, having an attorney father came with its own challenges.
Dinner table conversations were often missing Don Chapin, as his devotion to his clients required long hours. “Even so, I had a great home life,” Chapin said, reflecting on the balance his father struck between professional commitment and family life This balance, along with a deep sense of integrity, became a guiding principle for Chapin’s own career.
After graduating from Natrona County High School, Chapin attended Colorado College and later earned his law degree from the University of Wyoming in 1981. His first job out of law school was at his father’s firm, where he worked alongside Don Chapin as an associate attorney.
“It was a unique experience,” Chapin said. “Dad wasn’t afraid to let me work directly with clients, which was invaluable. He never pressured me—I put enough pressure on myself—but practicing with him was an amazing experience.”
Under the mentorship of his father and colleague Charlie Crowell, Chapin honed his skills in estate planning and probate law. These specialties, along with transactional law, became the cornerstone of his legal career.
In 2012, after 31 years at his father’s firm, Chapin joined WPDN as the firm’s first dedicated transactional lawyer. Over the next decade, he expanded his practice to include estate litigation, healthcare law, real estate, banking, contracts, and employment law. His dedication and versatility not only strengthened WPDN but also enriched Wyoming’s legal community.
What Chapin valued most throughout his career was the opportunity to help clients during pivotal moments in their lives. “Whether it’s helping a family navigate the loss of a loved one or assisting with business acquisitions, the connection with clients has always been the most rewarding part of the job,” he said.
Colleagues at WPDN describe Chapin as a thoughtful and skilled attorney, as well as a mentor who embodies professionalism and humility. “We’re just people trying to do a good job for the public,” Chapin explained. “At the end of the day, I’ve always believed in doing my best and treating people with respect.”
Chapin’s devotion to his family is another hallmark of his life. He and his wife of 33 years raised two sons, neither of whom followed him into the legal profession. “I wanted them to forge their own paths, as my father allowed me to do,” Chapin said with pride. One son holds a Master’s in Social Work, while the other is pursuing a second Master’s in Philosophy. “They’re doing meaningful work, just in a different way.”
Reflecting on his career, Chapin credits his father’s example as the foundation of his success. “I saw the dedication and selflessness he exhibited for his clients. It shaped my view of what it means to be an attorney—a protector, someone who stands up for their clients when their lives are turned upside down.”
As Chapin enters retirement, he looks forward to spending more time with his family and enjoying the slower pace of life. Yet, his legacy—a commitment to integrity, compassion, and service—will endure at WPDN and within the Wyoming legal community for years to come.
Charlie Chapin’s career has been marked by excellence, and his contributions to the legal profession and the lives of those he served will remain a lasting inspiration. His influence extends far beyond the cases he worked on, leaving an indelible mark on colleagues, clients, and the community alike. WPDN wishes Charlie Chapin a long and happy retirement.
Recently, a Wyoming Federal Court ruled in favor of a WPDN client represented by attorneys Erica Day, Stuart Day, and Keith Dodson.
WPDN represented an insurance company sued by a client who said that the company failed to make appropriate payments under an uninsured motorist coverage provision. The plaintiff asserted breach of contract claims and bad faith claims.
The plaintiff argued that they had underinsured motorist coverage, and the insurer breached the duty of good faith by failing to offer a policy limits settlement based on the accident.
WPDN filed a dispositive motion arguing that the plaintiffs did not meet the legal standard nor have enough facts to move the claim forward before a jury.
During a summary judgment hearing, Stuart Day argued that there was no evidence to support either claim. The court agreed and ruled in their favor.
The Honorable Judge Scott W. Skavdahl ruled that there was no evidence that the insurance company had acted inappropriately and hadn’t declined to provide coverage or payment unreasonably.
WPDN is committed to defending its clients in a timely, cost-effective manner, and this case is just another example of that.
Erica Day, an attorney with Williams, Porter, Day, and Neville recently tried a case in Pinedale, Wyoming, regarding a property rights issue in which WPDN’s client was sued for allegedly violating restrictive covenants and setback requirements.
WPDN’s client was accused of violating his subdivision’s restrictive covenants on where he could build, including building too close to a property line. The plaintiffs argued that WPDN’s client violated the setback requirement and asked the court to order the defendant’s building to be torn down.
Day argued that, while there was a technical violation, there was nowhere else on the property that the building could be built. Day also argued that the majority of the neighbors in the subdivision had consented, in writing, to the location. The plaintiffs were the only ones to object to the construction of the building, and they waited to object until after the defendant had built most of the building. Day argued that while there was, technically, a violation, it would be unfair and unreasonable for the building to be torn down.
The court ruled in favor of the defendant and stated that although the covenant had been violated, the building did not need to be torn down.
After the ruling, the plaintiffs appealed to the Supreme Court, which recently affirmed the court’s decision on Nov 2023 that the building did not need to be torn down. The Supreme Court stated that, in weighing the equities of the case, it would have been unfair for the defendant to have to tear down the building when it had so little impact on the plaintiffs.
This was another example of Williams, Porter, Day, and Neville fighting for their clients and winning…twice!
Ryan Schwartz and Blaine Burgess of Williams, Porter, Day, and Neville recently won a case in which their client was being sued for $5.2 million due to a motor vehicle accident between a pickup truck and a semi truck.
The trial took place in Fremont County, with the honorable Judge Jason Condor presiding.
The plaintiff alleged that, on January 6, 2014, the defendant, while driving her pickup truck, struck the semi truck that the plaintiff was operating. The plaintiff alleged that the defendant negligently operated her vehicle causing the crash with the semi.
Ryan Schwartz and Blaine Burgess tried the case to a 12 person jury in Fremont County.
In their defense, Burgess and Schwartz argued that their client was not negligent. They told the story of a reasonable driver who was proceeding reasonably as traffic allowed but encountered a very slick patch of ice causing her vehicle to slide into the oncoming lane. While this was an unfortunate accident, it was just that – an accident.
After deliberating for approximately three hours, the jury came back with a verdict in favor of the defendant, stating that she was not negligent and the plaintiff would receive no monetary compensation.
This was just another example of the proficiency of WPDN attorneys and, in fact, it was one of four victories that WPDN was awarded within a ten-day period.
Scott Klosterman of Williams, Porter, Day, and Neville recently won a Medical Malpractice trial, in which he represented a neurosurgeon from Cody, Wyoming.
The two-week jury trial took place in Park County, Wyoming and it was presided over by the Honorable Judge Bill Simpson.
The plaintiff in the case alleged the physician breached the standard of care, with respect to the medical care and treatment of said patient/plaintiff.
According to the suit, the plaintiff alleged that when he underwent a back surgery, the doctor was negligent and he breached the standard of care, which caused a tear in the plaintiff’s fecal sac, resulting in a CSF (Cerebrospinal) Leak. At the time of the surgery, the plaintiff was in his forties and he claimed that as a result of the procedure and the leak that came from it, he sustained significant injuries, pain, suffering, a loss of enjoyment of life, and more.
In the case that was presented to the jury, the plaintiff requested damages in the amount of $2.1 million. Klosterman tried the case on behalf of the surgeon, which took two weeks to be fully presented. At the end of the trial, once the case went to the jury, they deliberated for less than one hour and delivered a verdict in favor of the doctor.
This latest win is just another example of WPDN attorneys fighting for the people of Wyoming with integrity, character, and the highest standards of quality.
Scott Ortiz and Zara Mason, with Williams, Porter, Day, and Neville, recently won a case representing the law firm that was being sued by a Native American Tribe.
The tribe made allegations against their former law firm that, in 2019, the firm had stolen a million dollars of the tribe’s money out of a trust account.
When the tribe failed to prove that WPDN’s client stole money from their trust, they switched tactics and accused their former firm of grossly overbilling the tribe over a period of 7 years. The case was tried over one week in July of 2022 in Lander, Wyoming. After an hour, the jury came back with a verdict that stated WPDN’s client did not overbill the tribe, nor did they wrongfully take any tribal funds. WPDN then sued the tribe’s new attorneys for slander, and that case was quickly settled. The tribe itself was sanctioned for making such an egregious allegation.
The jury unanimously agreed with their client. According to Ortiz, “It was tragic that, after three decades of dedicated service, our client was put in the position to have to defend themselves.”
Steve Emery of Williams, Porter, Day, and Neville recently won a discrimination lawsuit involving a young man who sued his former company by attempting to use the Affordable Care Act.
Emery represented a weed and pest control district that employs seasonal workers every summer to perform various jobs. One employee was disenfranchised with the company and attempted to sue Emery’s client for discrimination.
The plaintiff made allegations against the company for discrimination under the Affordable Care Act, alleging that he was denied health insurance because he was Native American. Nobody who worked for the company seasonally was provided with health insurance. The plaintiff submitted a complaint to the US Department of Labor in 2018. The Secretary of Labor reviewed his complaint, rejected it, and found that he was not discriminated against.
Disagreeing with that decision, he requested a hearing, which took place in July 2019. It was tried over two days. The employee hired an attorney from Washington DC who specializes in whistleblower cases. Nevertheless, the judge who presided over the case ruled that the employee was not discriminated against. Emery had successfully defended the case for his client. The employee recently appealed that decision as well, filing a 55-page brief about why the judge was wrong. It is being sent to the next level of review but judging by the past two decisions, it will likely be ruled against as well.