Ryan C. Malone

Ryan Malone knows what it means to fight for freedom, especially when the odds are stacked high. Before joining Hogue Griffin in 2025, he worked as a public defender in Columbus, Georgia, handling serious felony cases. He later shifted his focus to post-conviction relief, where he advocated for clients across the state seeking a second chance after conviction. That work became a calling, and today, Ryan concentrates his practice on criminal appeals, habeas corpus petitions, and complex defense matters.

Originally from central Texas, Ryan holds dual bachelor’s degrees in philosophy and English from the University of Texas. A former vice president of the university’s policy debate team, he developed a strong foundation in argumentation and persuasive storytelling, skills he now brings into courtrooms and legal briefs. He earned his law degree from Georgia State University College of Law in 2020 and was admitted to the Georgia Bar in 2021.

Ryan is licensed in Georgia trial courts, the Court of Appeals, and the Georgia Supreme Court. He is pending admission to the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Georgia.

Outside of work, Ryan enjoys kayaking Georgia’s rivers, playing banjo, and spending time with his partner, who is also a public defender, and their dog.