Gary M. Ronan
Director
Boston
gronan@goulstonstorrs.com+1 617 574 3593Gary M. Ronan
Director, Boston
gronan@goulstonstorrs.com+1 617 574 3593Related Expertise
Gary helps trustees and beneficiaries resolve probate and fiduciary matters, defends lawyers and law firms in legal malpractice cases and advises them about legal ethics, and represents developers and owners in real estate disputes.
Gary applies a strategic approach to litigation, cutting through complexities and focusing on what matters most to his clients. Relying on intelligent persuasion rather than bluster, Gary helps clients resolve disputes intelligently and efficiently whenever possible. When a settlement isn't in the best interest of his client, however, Gary is a strong advocate for his clients in trial and appellate courts, administrative agencies, and in arbitration and mediation.
A Multifaceted Practitioner
As a probate and fiduciary litigator, Gary handles family disputes, fiduciary duty claims, trust matters, partnership and limited liability company disputes, and other trust and estates matters. He carefully guides individuals and their families, identifying potential avenues for dispute resolution so that his clients may make the best possible decisions given their circumstances. Gary also counsels trustees concerning their duties and obligations in order to alleviate problems before they happen.
Gary’s professional liability work involves defending lawyers and law firms, in addition to providing legal ethics advice. He handles high-stakes legal malpractice cases and partnership disputes, and he provides practical, nuanced ethics guidance. A testament to his outstanding work in this area, Gary serves as Goulston & Storrs’ Assistant General Counsel, advising the firm and its lawyers on matters of professionalism, loss prevention, and risk management.
In his real estate litigation practice, Gary advises and advocates for clients on land use, entitlement, title, and leasing matters. His experience includes handling appeals of zoning and entitlement decisions in appellate courts, litigating cases in trial courts and administrative agencies, and advocating for clients before local boards.
Related Representative Matters
Trustees, against a beneficiary who sought their removal from a Massachusetts Business Trust, for allegedly acting beyond their authority and breaching their duties in carrying out several complicated transactions designed to place a conservation easement on family-owned land and exchange various parcels of land among several trusts. At trial, the Court found that the trustees had not breached their duties, and awarded them fees and costs. The Appeals Court determined, based upon our advocacy, that the trustees had authority under the trust to effectuate the transactions at issue and affirmed the trial court’s determination that no breach of fiduciary duty occurred.
A major national law firm, to defend against a former client who alleged that the firm had mishandled a private equity transaction, resulting in him losing his ownership position in a fund that later increased substantially in value. After extensive discovery and mediation, the firm achieved a beneficial settlement at a figure far below the amount of the plaintiff’s claim.
The City of Boston, when a public interest organization and group of area residents sued to stop the construction of a new sports stadium. Our firm defeated plaintiffs’ motion for a preliminary injunction and prevailed at trial on the merits, allowing the project to proceed.
A client in connection with a multifamily project in Washington, to persuade the Court of Appeals to vacate the trial court’s injunction order to halt construction and reverse the trial court’s decision on the merits, clearing the way for the completion of the client’s project.
Defense of a law firm and individual lawyers against malpractice claims arising out of the preparation of an estate and business succession plan.
A real estate developer in successfully invalidating a zoning change adopted by a town in an effort to block its project.
The owners of affordable housing developments, in disputes with a state agency concerning the owners’ obligations upon the prepayment of their mortgage loans and claims that they have been overcharged mortgage interest over a period of years.
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Accolades
- Best Lawyers in America® (2025-2026): Commercial Litigation
- Lawdragon, Leading 500 Litigators in America, 2022-2026
- Meritas Leadership Institute, Class of 2012-2013
- Massachusetts Super Lawyers Rising Stars, 2009-2014
Affiliations
- Co-Chair, Litigation Section, Professional Liability Committee, Boston Bar Association (2014-2016)
- Member, Boston Inn of Court (2011-2014)
Admissions
- Massachusetts
- District of Columbia
Education
Georgetown University Law Center ( J.D. , summa cum laude , 2002 )
Yale University ( B.A. , 1997 )