Ryan O. R. Kobernick

Contact Information

Ryan O. R. Kobernick

Ryan is an associate attorney who represents employees in workplace disputes. She focuses on plaintiff’s employment law and advocates for workers facing discrimination, harassment, and other unlawful treatment. She first joined the firm as a law clerk in 2019, where she gained hands-on experience in employment law. In 2020, she became an associate attorney and has continued championing employees’ rights ever since.

Ryan believes that all workers deserve fair treatment, no matter their background. She takes on cases against companies of all sizes and fights for employees who have been wronged. Ryan takes pride in helping employees assert their rights and seek justice in the workplace.

Professional Experience

Ryan focuses her practice exclusively on plaintiff’s employment law. Ryan has handled cases against major corporations like Walmart, PepsiCo, and Amazon. She has successfully obtained favorable settlements for employees in a wide range of industries. Some of her most meaningful cases involve protecting pregnant workers, individuals with disabilities, and employees subjected to hostile work environments.

Ryan has also taken on leadership roles within the legal community, and believes collegiality is a vital part of her practice. She currently serves as the 2026-2027 Treasurer of the State Bar of Michigan’s Labor and Employment Law Section, after serving for 3 years as a council member of the Section. In addition to graduating from the Michigan Association for Justice’s Leadership Academy, she also serves on the Michigan Association for Justice’s Executive Board. She is also a member of the Federal Bar Association and the Oakland County Bar Association.

Education and academic achievements

Ryan earned her law degree from Wayne State University Law School in 2020. There, she received the Gold Key Scholarship Certificate for maintaining a GPA above 3.9. The Dean also awarded her the John W. Reed Endowed Scholarship for academic excellence. Ryan actively participated in Wayne Law’s Mock Trial Program, where she won the intra-school competition in 2018 and competed in the national mock trial tournament in Chicago. As a 3L, Ryan mentored new participants as a Senior Mock Trial E-Board Member. Later, Ryan also worked as a student-attorney for the Asylum and Immigration Law Clinic. She led the Criminal Law Society as its President in 2018 and 2019.

Before law school, she attended the University of Michigan–Ann Arbor, where she earned a B.A. in psychology with a minor in history in 2017.

Practice Areas

Ryan is admitted to practice in both the Eastern and Western Districts of Michigan as well as the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals. She represents employees in cases involving workplace discrimination, sexual harassment, and retaliation. She also handles cases involving the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and workplace accommodations for employees with disabilities. Ryan stays involved in legal education, speaking on employment law topics like FMLA updates at professional seminars.

Professional Memberships and Leadership Roles

Ryan actively participates in several professional organizations that focus on employment law and workers’ rights. She serves on the Council for the State Bar of Michigan’s Labor and Employment Law Section, where she contributes to legal discussions and policy developments. She is currently serving her second two-year term in this leadership role.

Ryan also engages in legal advocacy through the Michigan Association for Justice. She completed the organization’s Leadership Academy as part of the 2023-2024 class, where she developed strategies to advance workers’ rights in Michigan. In addition, Ryan is a member of the Federal Bar Association and the Oakland County Bar Association. Through these organizations, she continues to build relationships with other legal professionals and stay informed on legal developments in employment law.

Speaking Engagements and Publications

Ryan eagerly shares her knowledge of employment law through speaking engagements and professional seminars. She has been invited to present at the Institute of Continuing Legal Education’s (ICLE) Annual Labor and Employment Law Institute. In 2024, she spoke at the 49th annual conference, where she provided case law updates on the FMLA. In March 2026, Ryan will be speaking at ICLE’s 51^st Annual Labor and Employment Law Institute, presenting on “Human Resources Challenges Today.”

Awards and Recognitions

Ryan has received formal recognition for her work in employment law and her commitment to workers’ rights. In 2023, the Detroit Jewish News selected her for its “36 Under 36” list, an honor for young professionals making a difference in the community. She earned this recognition for her dedication to helping Jewish employees who have experienced workplace discrimination.