Ryan Bliss, Workers Comp Attorney in Durham, North Carolina

3 Things to Know About Ryan Bliss:

• He is a North Carolina State Bar Board Certified Specialist in Workers’ Compensation law.
• He was recognized on the “Best Lawyers” list for Workers’ Compensation Law – Claimants by Best Lawyers in 2025 and 2026.*
• He was named to the “Top 20 Managing Partners” list by North Carolina Lawyers Weekly in 2025.*

Ryan Bliss is a Partner at the Law Offices of James Scott Farrin, where he leads the firm’s workers’ compensation department and serves as Director of Legal Technology. Since joining the firm in 2012, Ryan has built a practice centered on advocating for injured workers and using the law as a means to create meaningful, positive change in his clients’ lives.

Early Influences and Education
Raised in a suburb outside Syracuse, New York, Ryan grew up in a household that emphasized diligence, persistence, and service to others. His father worked for a large manufacturing company, while his mother spent more than two decades in public education as a teacher and librarian. Alongside those values, Ryan developed a lifelong passion for music and performance through acting, singing, and playing instruments – creative pursuits that continue to influence his collaborative and communicative approach to law.

Ryan attended North Carolina State University, graduating magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in English with a concentration in writing. During college, he interned with the North Carolina Advocates for Justice, where he was exposed to the work of plaintiffs’ attorneys across the state. Observing the direct impact those lawyers had on individuals facing hardship helped solidify Ryan’s belief that the law could be a powerful tool for protecting people who might otherwise be left without a voice.

Path to Helping Plaintiffs

After earning his J.D. from the University of North Carolina School of Law, Ryan began his legal career in a general civil practice and later worked in workers’ compensation defense. While the experience gave him a strong understanding of how insurance companies evaluate and manage claims, he ultimately decided his skills would be better used representing injured workers rather than opposing them. That realization led him to the Law Offices of James Scott Farrin, where he could focus on helping claimants navigate an often complex and intimidating system.

“To me, being a good lawyer means striking the perfect balance of compassion, knowledge, and creativity. It’s something I strive for every day.”

Throughout his career, Ryan has handled numerous cases that reaffirmed his decision to practice on the plaintiffs’ side. He is known for guiding clients through both immediate crises and long-term planning, helping them seek access to medical care, financial stability, and fair resolutions to their claims.

Recognition Along the Way

Ryan is a North Carolina State Bar Board Certified Specialist in workers’ compensation law and represents injured workers throughout the state. His work has earned him repeated recognition, including selection to the 2025 and 2026 Best Lawyers in America list for Workers’ Compensation Law - Claimants, being honored on the Super Lawyers “Rising Star,” list in 2018, and inclusion on North Carolina Lawyers Weekly’s 2025 “Top 20 Managing Partners” list for his leadership and contributions to firm growth and community engagement.*

Outside of his legal practice, Ryan lives in Cary with his family. He remains active in the arts through occasional community theater performances and co-hosts a YouTube channel that produces educational music for children, blending creativity with his ongoing commitment to education and service.

*“Best Lawyers” standards of inclusion: bestlawyers.com. “Top 20 Managing Partners” standards of inclusion: nclawyersweekly.com. “Rising Stars” standards of inclusion: superlawyers.com