Ryan J. Stevens is a member and owner of Griffen & Stevens Law Firm, PLLC. A former felony prosecutor in Flagstaff, Arizona, Mr. Stevens dedicates his legal practice to criminal defense, personal injury, sports law, and expert trial work in Arizona state and federal courts. Mr. Stevens was recently recognized by U.S. News – Best Lawyers® for 2023.
Mr. Stevens graduated cum laude from the College of William & Mary (B.S., Mathematics). He attended William & Mary School of Law on a merit-based academic scholarship. Mr. Stevens clerked for Chief Judge Walter S. Felton of the Virginia Court of Appeals. Mr. Stevens also clerked at a Flagstaff law firm and the Coconino County Attorney’s Office, accelerating his trial practice skills and experience. Early in his legal career, Mr. Stevens achieved numerous successful results in jury trials on serious criminal cases, including first-degree murder, felony murder, second-degree murder, aggravated assault, burglary, sale of marijuana, aggravated DUI, and more. Mr. Stevens believes that maintaining a high-quality trial practice yields optimal results in all legal settings.
Mr. Stevens' reputation is known in Coconino County, Yavapai County, Navajo County, Mohave County, Apache County, Maricopa County, federal and tribal courts. Mr. Stevens litigates serious federal cases in U.S. District Court (Phoenix/Prescott) and U.S. Magistrate Court (Flagstaff, Grand Canyon, Page, Kingman).
In the area of sports law, Mr. Stevens has successfully defended numerous serious claims involving anti-doping rule violations, sexual misconduct, and athlete abuse in cases handled by the U.S. Center for SafeSport and other national governing bodies. Mr. Stevens represents professional athletes and coaches in contract negotations, sponsorship deals, and sports-related disputes.
A competitive runner and Ironman triathlete, Mr. Stevens looks forward to serving his clients with professionalism, energy, and vigor.
Certifications & Services
- Top 10 Attorneys in the State of Arizona, American Institute of Legal Counsel (2021)
- Arizona Criminal Practice and Procedure Committee (State Bar of Arizona), 3-year appointment (2020-2023)
- American Association for Justice, Member
- Former Felony Prosecutor, Coconino County Attorney’s Office (Flagstaff, AZ)
- 9th Circuit Court of Appeals (Federal), Admitted/Member
- U.S. District Court for Arizona, Admitted/Member
- Hopi Tribal Court, Admitted/Member
- National Organization of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Member
- American Bar Assocation, Member (Criminal Justice Section)
- Coconino County Bar Association (Flagstaff, AZ), Member
- Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce, Member
- Better Business Bureau, Accredited
- Poore Medical Clinic, Board of Directors
- USA Triathlon, Member
- USA Track & Field, Member
2022 Recent Jury Trial Win: Judgment of Acquittal on All Drug Charges
Mr. Stevens served as lead defense counsel in a felony jury trial in Yavapai County, Arizona involving charges of transportation of narcotic drugs (cocaine) for sale as well as drug paraphernalia. After challenging the State's evidence aggressively, and moving for a Judgment of Acquittal, the Court granted Mr. Stevens' motion, entered an acquittal on all charges for his client, and dismissed the case permanently.
Recent Jury Trial Win: Acquittal on All Drug Charges
Mr. Stevens served as lead defense counsel in a felony jury trial in Yavapai County, Arizona. There were three (3) felony drug charges, and after aggressively challenging the State’s evidence, Mr. Stevens’ client was fully acquitted by the jury (“Not Guilty” verdict on all three charges).
Recent Jury Trial Win: Acquittal on First Degree Murder Charge
Mr. Stevens led the defense team in a first-degree murder jury trial, in which he secured a “Not Guilty” jury verdict. After spending two years in jail on a $1 million bond, Mr. Stevens’ client was fully acquitted of murder and went home to his family on the day of the verdict.
Here is the news story on the Not Guilty verdict on the first-degree murder case: Jury: Suspect not guilty in teen’s death.
Recent Jury Trial Win: "Not Guilty" Verdict on All Sexual Assault Charges
Mr. Stevens served as lead defense counsel in a felony jury trial in Coconino County, Arizona, in which his client was charged with three (3) counts of sexual assault put forth by two different accusers. After a 3-week jury trial, during which Mr. Stevens fought for the truth and vigorously defended his client, Mr. Stevens’ client was fully acquitted by the jury (“Not Guilty” verdict on all three sexual assault charges). On the day of the verdict, Mr. Stevens' client hugged his wife and went home to be with his family.
Additional Updates
In recent personal injury law, Mr. Stevens litigated a truck accident case involving serious physical injuries to his client. The resulting settlement was $1,250,000. Recently, Mr. Stevens also secured personal injury results for his clients of $300,000 for a medical malpractice (missed diagnosis) matter; $195,000 for a dog bite case; and $175,000 for a car accident involving a head injury.
In civil rights litigation of statewide and national importance, Mr. Stevens was honored to serve as counsel of record fighting for marriage equality in Arizona in the case of Connolly et al v. Brewer et al, in United States District Court, District of Arizona, Case No. 2:14-cv-00024-JWS. On October 17, 2014, a federal court struck down Arizona’s unconstitutional marriage inequality laws. Mr. Stevens and the Plaintiffs’ legal team earned a favorable outcome, in every regard, so much so that the defense legal team decided to not appeal. Mr. Stevens is honored to have been an attorney of record on this historic constitutional rights victory in Arizona federal court.
Complete Jury Trial Acquittals
Mr. Stevens has served as lead counsel on complete jury trial acquittals ("Not Guilty on All Charges") in recent years that included:
- First Degree Murder;
- Aggravated Assault;
- Sale of Dangerous Drugs;
- Sexual Assault;
- Unlawful Flight from Law Enforcement;
- Resisting Arrest;
- DUI 0.08% or More;
- Possession of Dangerous Drugs;
- Possession of Drug Paraphernalia;
- And more charges.
Mr. Stevens has also achieved significant reductions of charges, through jury verdicts, on cases involving "Not Guilty" verdicts on Manslaughter, Child Abuse, and First Degree Murder.
Please use the contact form on our website to reach Mr. Stevens.