Ryan H. Apperson
Estate planning, trust administration, and probate for Bay Area families — with a Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Estate Planning from Golden Gate University.
A practice built on advocacy — now focused on protecting families.
Ryan H. Apperson is a graduate of Golden Gate University School of Law, where he earned Certificates with Distinction in both Labor & Employment Law and Public Interest Law. During law school, he concentrated his studies on workers' rights and advocacy.
Ryan represented low-wage workers through an employment rights clinic and spent his second summer investigating unfair labor practice charges at the National Labor Relations Board. He further developed his litigation and analytical skills as a legal intern for a federal magistrate judge, where he also served as a teaching assistant for the judge's Evidence course at Golden Gate University. In addition, Ryan gained hands-on trial preparation experience at the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
Beyond his legal training, Ryan has represented thousands of Bay Area school employees as a labor relations representative, negotiating collective bargaining agreements and advocating for workers' rights.
Since 2015, Ryan has focused his practice on estate planning, trust administration, and probate proceedings. Committed to deepening his expertise, he returned to Golden Gate University School of Law and, in 2024, earned a Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Estate Planning.
Prior to attending law school, Ryan graduated with distinction from San Diego State University with a Bachelor of Arts in International Security and Conflict Resolution, specializing in Global Systems. He also completed a year of service with the AmeriCorps VISTA program, where he was assigned to the International Rescue Committee and helped lead an after-school program for refugee youth in San Diego's City Heights community.
Bar membership, education, and affiliations.
Ryan's training and professional ties — the credentials that back the practice.
Bar Membership
- State Bar of California
Education
- Master of Laws (LL.M.), Estate Planning
- Juris Doctor (JD)
- Certificates with Distinction
- Bachelor of Arts
Professional Affiliations
- Contra Costa Bar Association
- AmeriCorps VISTA · Alumnus
From advocacy for workers to advocacy for families.
Key milestones on the way to an estate planning practice rooted in careful, client-first representation.
San Diego State University & AmeriCorps VISTA
BA with distinction in International Security and Conflict Resolution. Year of VISTA service with the International Rescue Committee, leading an after-school program for refugee youth in San Diego's City Heights community.
Golden Gate University School of Law
Earned Certificates with Distinction in Labor & Employment Law and Public Interest Law. Represented low-wage workers through an employment rights clinic; served as a teaching assistant for the judge's Evidence course.
NLRB · Federal Clerkship · EEOC
Investigated unfair labor practice charges at the National Labor Relations Board; interned for a federal magistrate judge; gained hands-on trial preparation experience at the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
Bay Area School Employees
Represented thousands of Bay Area school employees as a labor relations representative — negotiating collective bargaining agreements and advocating for workers' rights.
Admitted to the State Bar of California
State Bar of California, No. 303197 — the beginning of a private practice focused on estate planning, trust administration, and probate proceedings.
Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Estate Planning
Committed to deepening his expertise, Ryan returned to Golden Gate University School of Law and earned an LL.M. in Estate Planning — advanced training beyond the JD, focused specifically on the field he serves every day.
Ready to meet Ryan?
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Legal Disclaimer
This page is a form of advertisement. Any communication herein does not create an attorney-client relationship. Likewise, no communications herein should be considered legal advice. For any client to enter into an attorney-client relationship with my office, a separate written agreement is required.