Bio

Ryan P. Bourjaily focuses his practice on litigating probate, trust and estate matters. Mr. Bourjaily also advises clients regarding trust and estate administrations, protective proceedings and estate planning.

With respect to his litigation practice, Mr. Bourjaily represents a broad range of clients in claims involving alleged breach of fiduciary duty, undue influence, lack of mental capacity, fiduciary removal and surcharge, as well as will/trust contests.

A 2014 graduate of the Western Michigan University Cooley Law School, Mr. Bourjaily is a member of the Probate & Estate Planning and the Real Property and General Litigation sections of the State Bar of Michigan.

Representative Client Work

  • Counsels clients and draft plans for estates of various sizes and complexity
  • Represents fiduciaries and interested persons throughout trust and estate administrations
  • Represents clients in probate and real estate matters in both state and appellate courts
  • Represents fiduciaries and interested persons in contested and uncontested guardianship and conservatorship matters
  • Routinely prepares fiduciary accountings

Professional Affiliations

  • Finance and Estate Planning Council of Metro Detroit
  • Hundred Club of Detroit (2015 – Present)
  • State Bar of Michigan (Probate and Estate Planning Section: Legislative Monitoring and Analysis Committee, Chair (2016-2018); Amicus Curiae Committee Member, 2017-Present; Ad Hoc Committee for Fiduciary Exception to the Attorney/Client Privilege, 2018- Present; Membership Committee, 2015-Present)

 Publications and Lectures

  • "Fundamentals of Estate Planning," Presenter, Detroit Habitat for Humanity, 2021-present
  • Personal Wealth Management Q&A article, Dbusiness Magazine, September/October 2019 edition 

Credentials

Education

  • Western Michigan University Cooley Law School, J.D., 2014
  • Albion College, B.A., 2011

Admissions

  • Michigan, 2015

Honors/Awards

Honors & Recognitions

  • Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America™ - Estate & Trust Litigation / Trusts and Estates, 2023 - 2024
  • Michigan Super Lawyers Rising Stars in Estate and Trust Litigation, Michigan Super Lawyers, 2019 - 2023
  • Top Attorneys in Michigan - Rising Stars, HD Magazine, 2019
  • Top Young Rising Attorneys in Michigan, Crain's Detroit Business, 2019
  • Michigan's Top Young Lawyers, Hour Magazine, 2019
  • Certificate of Merit Recipient - Advanced Trial Practice, 2014