Ryan McCann Awarded 2026 Distinguished Bankruptcy Law Student for the Third Circuit by the American College of Bankruptcy
Congratulations to Ryan McCann on his selection as the Distinguished Bankruptcy Law Student for the Third Circuit for 2026 by the American College of Bankruptcy.
The American College of Bankruptcy established the Distinguished Law Student program to identify and promote prospective leaders in the insolvency and bankruptcy profession. The criteria for the selection of the distinguished law student include academic excellence, professional accomplishments, commitment to public service, and extraordinary law school experience and familiarity with insolvency law.
Nominated by Judge Jeffery A. Deller of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court of the Western District of Pennsylvania and Professor Richard Gaffney at the Thomas R. Kline School of Law of Duquesne University, this award demonstrates Ryan’s extraordinary accomplishments, as well as hard work and strength of character.
Ryan is an associate in the Litigation practice at Babst Calland and represents clients in a variety of litigation practice areas, including breach of contract claims, construction disputes, and various environmental matters. Ryan earned his Juris Doctor from the Duquesne University School of Law in 2025, graduating cum laude. During his time at Duquesne, he served as a Junior Staff Member on the Energy and Environmental Law Journal and gained valuable judicial experience through externships with Judge Michael J. Lucas of the Washington County Court of Common Pleas, Judge Jeffery A. Deller of the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, and Judge David S. Cercone of the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania. His most significant achievement in law school came through his participation in the Federal Litigation Clinic, where he argued before the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. He also received several awards during law school, including CALI Excellence for the Future Awards in Criminal Law and International Law, the Bankruptcy Judges Memorial Award, the American Bankruptcy Law Journal Prize, and the Outstanding Oral Argument Recognition.
Award recipients will be recognized on March 19, 2026 at the American College of Bankruptcy annual meeting, attended by many leaders of the bankruptcy bar, distinguished jurists, andinsolvency academics from around the world.
For more information about the Distinguished Bankruptcy Law and Business Student program established by the American College of Bankruptcy, click here.