Who We Are
Meet the founding partners of Stitt Vu Trial Lawyers, Ryan Stitt and Tommy Vu. who are we Who are we
Who is Ryan Stitt?
Ryan dedicates his legal career to assisting individuals in obtaining exceptional results when faced with life-changing legal challenges. Recently, he served as a trial lawyer at the nationally renowned Federal Defenders of San Diego, Inc., representing clients charged with a diverse array of federal crimes. who are we
Proficient in crafting innovative legal strategies tailored to each client's specific needs, Ryan earned recognition as the Most Outstanding Advocate by the San Diego Federal Bar Association in 2022. With dozens of cases taken to verdict, he consistently secures favorable outcomes for clients both in trial and on appeal. Alongside his trial practice, Ryan's vigorous motions practice enables clients to achieve their objectives without trial-related risks. It is Ryan's skill as a pre-trial and trial advocate that distinguishes him from his peers and renders him an exceptional advocate.
Beyond client representation, Ryan frequently provides expert commentary on various cases in the news. He has contributed chapters to the nationally esteemed treatise, "Defending a Federal Criminal Case," and regularly conducts training sessions for lawyers and law students on trial-related matters. Ryan graduated cum laude with a finance degree from Illinois Wesleyan University and obtained his law degree from DePaul College of Law.
Office Phone: (619) 255-0553
Mobile: (847) 707-3712
Email: [email protected]
Recent successes include:
• United States v. Ibarra, 2024 WL 2746747 (9th Cir. 2024). The government charged Mr. Ibarra with conspiracy to transport undocumented people and with attempted transportation of two undocumented people. The government illegally recorded Mr. Ibarra’s statement while he was driving in a car that allegedly contained the undocumented people. Ryan successfully suppressed Mr. Ibarra’s recorded statement because it was an unauthorized wiretap. The case proceeded to trial and Ryan presented substantial evidence that Mr. Ibarra’s co-defendant tricked others into transporting undocumented people when they believed they were transporting money. The court, however, ruled in error that Ryan was not able to make a closing argument supported by the evidence that Mr. Ibarra was similarly tricked into transporting money. As a result, Mr. Ibarra was convicted and the Ninth Circuit reversed his convicting holding that the trial court violated Mr. Ibarra’s Sixth Amendment right to present a defense.
• United States v. Lopez, 998 F.3d 431 (9th Cir. 2021). Ryan represented Mr. Lopez at sentencing and obtained a court ruling allowing him to receive a lower sentence. Because of this, this ruling was a first nationally and it has sparked intense ongoing national litigation surrounding the issue.
Who is Tommy Vu?
Tommy's roots trace back to San Diego, California, where he was born and raised. Raised in a blue-collar, working-family household as the son of refugee parents, he learned the value of hard work from a young age, where everything was earned, not given. He attributes his life and courtroom success to his parents' unwavering work ethic. Who are we
During high school, Tommy's initiation into the legal realm began with a lawsuit against his doctor for medical malpractice, unveiling the complexities of the legal system and fueling his aspiration to become the first lawyer in his family.
With experience spanning civil and criminal litigation across California and New York, Tommy holds active law licenses in California, New York, and Washington D.C. Prior to and during his law studies, he honed his skills at international law firms in Hanoi, Vietnam. Who are we
Post law school, Tommy commenced his legal journey as a Trial Attorney at the Federal Defenders of San Diego, later transitioning to a prominent Am Law 100 law firm in New York City. There, he specialized in Complex Civil Litigation and dedicated his expertise to serving as a member of the Criminal Justice Act (CJA) Panel in the Southern District of New York, representing indigent clients pro bono.
Now back in his hometown of San Diego, Tommy focuses on Wildfire Litigation, advocating for California residents whose properties fell victim to fires ignited by major utility companies. Through this process, he gained insight into how insurance firms handle claims brought against them.
Office phone: (619) 255-0553
Mobile: (858) 216-6766
Email: [email protected]
Recent firm successes include:
• United States v. An Individual, 24CR00009-TWR
• United States v. An Individual, 24CR619-JLS
• United States v. An Individual, 23CR711-BTM
• United States v. An Individual, 23CR1404-BAS
• United States v. An Individual, 22CR2356-RBM
• United States v. An Individual, 21CR1751-BAS
• United States v. An Individual, 22CR1373-DMS, Dkt. No. 66
• United States v. An Individual, 23CR1319-RSH
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