With a practice spanning corporate litigation, personal injury, foreclosures, and more, Ryan S. Malc has built a career on versatility—and results. As a partner at Maggs McDermott & DiCicco, he has achieved multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts, navigated high-stakes business disputes, and shaped strategies on hot-button legal issues from non-competes to cannabis reform. In this candid Q&A, Ryan shares career-defining moments, the value of preventive legal advice, and what drives him both in and out of the courtroom.

Ryan: One of my most memorable cases involved a 24-year-old client who suffered a neck herniation from an accident—causing daily pain, numbness, and tingling in his arms. He had no prior injuries, but the insurance company offered no money to settle the case, and instead were adament about taking it to trial. There was a $300,000 insurance policy and we offered to settle within the policy limits, but the insurance company refused.

We took it to the jury, tried the case over four days, and the jury returned a verdict for $850,000 against the defendants … with pre-judgment interest it totaled nearly $900,000.  We proved his injury met the “verbal threshold” for a permanent injury—a major hurdle in these cases. It was a huge win for the client.

“It was particularly satisfying to hit the insurer with an excess judgment well above their policy limits when they had every opportunity to settle within the policy limits but didn’t.” 

Ryan: My versatility comes from working at very different firms over my career. I started in construction law for school projects at a Morristown firm during the 2008 recession, then moved to foreclosure and collection work for national lenders when that market was booming.

I later joined a full-service firm in Lakewood, where I was exposed to all types of cases from personal injury to corporate disputes, shareholder oppression cases, and real estate. That variety broadened my experience and my versatility to handle different types of cases.

Now at Maggs McDermott & DiCicco, I maintain a diverse docket and that has sharpened my critical thinking and kept the work intellectually stimulating.

“No two days are the same, which I enjoy.”

Ryan: I’m following developments on non-compete agreements in New Jersey, especially for doctors and other professionals. The Federal Trade Commission tried to ban them nationwide, but lacked authority, and the effort died after court challenges.

Now, two bills in New Jersey’s legislature could make non-competes unenforceable here—except for high-level managerial roles. I’ve represented clients facing unreasonable restrictions, like a doctor barred from practicing practically anywhere in New Jersey for five years. If these bills pass, it would dramatically change the landscape for employees.

“I’ve seen restrictions so broad they effectively ban someone from working in their profession.”

Ryan: Early in my career, I lectured on green energy for school districts, showing them federal and state incentives to modernize their energy infrastructure. That was about 17 years ago, but it was important for clients at the time.

With cannabis legalization, I felt the laws were long overdue for change. Data showed usage rates were similar across demographics, yet minorities were disproportionately arrested.

“Enforcement was costly and unjustified, and cannabis had clear medicinal benefits. I was glad that cannabis was legalized.”

Ryan: Too often, people sign contracts, accept jobs, or enter agreements without legal advice—then come to us only when something goes wrong. Preventive advice can save money, stress, and litigation down the line.

Clients also assume legal advice will be cost-prohibitive, but our firm offers flexible fee structures for contract reviews or consultations.

“Having a trusted lawyer before trouble starts can prevent major headaches later.”

Ryan: Mediation taught me that many disputes aren’t just about money—they’re about principle, hurt feelings, or wanting to be heard. As a mediator, you learn to identify those emotional drivers and address them, which helps in negotiations and client communication.

It also helps me see cases from multiple perspectives, making it easier to find solutions that work for our clients.

“If you can identify emotional drivers early, you can tailor settlement negotiations to address them.”

Ryan: First and foremost, spending time with my family and two children. I also play guitar, love jazz, and visit clubs in the city when I can. I’m a huge Giants fan—never miss a game—and I make exercise a regular part of my life.

Ryan: One significant case involved a doctor with a five-year, 20-mile restrictive covenant—multiplied from seven office locations, it effectively barred him from practicing across much of New Jersey and into Pennsylvania. His new job offer was just 0.7 miles inside the restricted zone, but his former employer refused to allow it and even threatened the new employer with litigation.

We filed a declaratory judgment action to have the covenant declared unenforceable without breaching it—avoiding the risk of attorneys’ fees if we lost. The trial court denied our application for a ruling that the restrictive covenant was overbroad and unenforceable. Additionally, the trial court dismissed our complaint as moot, mistakenly thinking the new employer had withdrawn its offer, despite certifications to the contrary.

We appealed, and the appellate division agreed with us by reversing the trial court's erroneous rulings.

“This approach—challenging a covenant before breaching it—was unusual and protected my client while keeping the legal issue alive. That win was both a personal and professional milestone.”

To learn more about Ryan S. Malc, Esq. and his work, visit his full bio on our website. If you’d like to discuss a legal matter or schedule a consultation with Maggs McDermott & DiCicco, please contact us here.

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