Ryan Tegnelia

Ryan James Tegnelia, 40, of Ocean Beach, CA, passed away suddenly on January 19, 2021. Born in Alexandria, VA, Ryan’s family lived in Springfield, VA; Herndon, VA; and Orlando, FL before settling in Albuquerque, NM, where he graduated high school.

Ryan earned his BA from Arizona State University in 2002 and his JD from the Thomas Jefferson School of Law in San Diego in 2005. He began his legal career as a Deputy District Attorney in Tulare County, CA, then returned to San Diego to pursue criminal defense. He worked at several firms, including the largest consumer and criminal law firm in Southern California, before founding his own practice: RJT Criminal Defense.

As a former prosecutor and founder of RJT Law, Ryan defended hundreds of clients charged with misdemeanors and felonies across California, handling cases in San Diego, Riverside, San Bernardino, Orange, Los Angeles, Tulare, Fresno, and Sutter counties.

His practice spanned state and federal court, covering drug crimes, murder, attempted murder, crimes involving children, sexual assault, and white collar offenses including credit card fraud, check fraud, real estate fraud, and identity theft.

He was a member of the State Bar of California and the San Diego Bar Association, and was admitted to practice in the Federal District Court for the Southern District of California. Ryan was passionate about the law and deeply proud of the success he accomplished.