Ryan R. Jones

[NOTE:  Mr. Jones is currently on a one-year military reassignment and is not expected back at Cota Cole LLP until mid-2011.]

Ryan R. Jones is an experienced civil litigation attorney who has represented a variety of clients in both the public and private sector. Mr. Jones has successfully litigated complex cases including employment discrimination, breach of contract, and municipal tort defense. Mr. Jones was a principal trial attorney in the 2009 defense verdict obtained by the firm on behalf of the County of Madera with regard to a lawsuit brought by a former Deputy Sheriff.

Prior to joining Cota Cole LLP, Mr. Jones obtained extensive trial experience as an active duty Judge Advocate in the United States Air Force. In that capacity, Mr. Jones served as the chief prosecutor for Charleston Air Force Base, South Carolina. He was then selected to serve as the installation's chief criminal defense counsel. As both a prosecutor and defense attorney, Mr. Jones tried numerous complex criminal matters in all phases of litigation. Mr. Jones was responsible for comprehensive trial practice, which included discovery, motion practice, and post-trial and appellate work. He also represented clients in administrative hearings such as flying evaluation boards, discharge boards, and parole revocation hearings.

During law school, Mr. Jones clerked with the Office of the General Counsel for NASA in Washington, DC, where he worked extensively on labor and employment issues. Mr. Jones was also selected for the Army JAG Corps Summer Intern Program at Fort Hood, Texas, and worked in the legal office for the 1st Cavalry Division.

Mr. Jones was admitted to the California Bar in 2003 after graduating from law school at Penn State. Prior to attending law school, Mr. Jones worked for the United States Senate Judiciary Committee as a legislative correspondent and deputy press secretary. Before working in Washington, Mr. Jones attended University of California-Los Angeles and graduated in 1999 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics.

Mr. Jones is an active community servant. Mr. Jones currently serves as a Captain in the Air Force Reserves stationed at Travis Air Force Base, California, where he is attached to the 349th Air Mobility Wing. He is also a trustee on the school board for the Eureka Union School District. Mr. Jones serves as a Boy Scout leader in the Golden Empire Council and enjoys coaching his children in youth athletics.

Bar Admissions:

California Bar: 2003
United States Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces
United States Air Force Court (Criminal Appeals)
United States District Court, Eastern District of California