Admitted to Practice | U.S. Supreme Court, 2002 | | U.S. Court of Appeals 1st Circuit, 1981 | | U.S. Court of Appeals 5th Circuit, 1981 | | U.S. Court of Appeals 9th Circuit, 1989 | | U.S. Court of Appeals 11th Circuit, 1981 | | U.S. Court of Appeals D.C. Circuit, 1969 | | U.S. Court of Appeals Federal Circuit, 1981 | | U.S. District Court District of Maryland, 1988 | | U.S. District Court District of Columbia, 1969 | | U.S. Court of Federal Claims, 1977 | | U.S. Court of International Trade, 1983 | | District of Columbia, 1969 |
| Rick Cys handles civil and criminal litigation. He practices extensively in the media and defamation arenas and handles federal grand jury investigations. In addition, he is experienced in international issues such as export enforcement and licensing. Selected Experience Rita Katz Ongoing Defended an author in related constitutional tort claims arising out of an FBI search of her home. Case has been dismissed; attorney's fees have been awarded to defendant. Appeal pending. Bonneville International Corp. (WTOP) 2009 Defended Bonneville International Corp. (WTOP) in a discrimination case filed by a former radio station employee claiming he was terminated based on his age. Air America Radio, Randi Rhodes 2008 Secured summary judgment dismissing libel suit which alleged that, on her radio program, talk show host Randi Rhodes made false allegations about CACI interrogators who worked at the Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq. Affirming summary judgment, the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals held that Rhodes' statements were either not made with actual malice, based on findings of military investigations and news accounts, or were nonactionable hyperbole. Pro bono matter 2008 Represented individual detained by U.S. Government at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba for the past four years. Our client was returned to Pakistan in September 2008. Bonneville International Corp. Represented Bonneville International in a case involving breach of contract and violation of the covenant of good faith and fair dealing action. Matter was successfully settled. Additional Qualifications Professional and Community Activities
- Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, inducted in 2004
- Chair, Hearing Committee, District of Columbia Court of Appeals Board for Professional Responsibility, 2003-2007
- Chair, Lawyer Counseling Panel, U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, 2002-present
- William B. Bryant American Inn of Court, 2004-present
- Complex Crimes Committee, American Bar Association
- Federal Communications Bar Association
- Trustee; Chair, 2005-2006 – District of Columbia Bar Clients' Security Fund
- Pro Bono Special Mediation Counsel, Certificate of Appreciation, 2002-2005 – U.S. District Court Mediation Program
- Pro Bono Guantanamo Detainee Representation, 2005-present
- Treasurer, Robert A. Shuker Scholarship Fund, 2001-present
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Professional Recognition
- Selected to “Washington, D.C. Super Lawyers” in Business Litigation, Law & Politics, 2008-2010
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Education J.D., Georgetown University Law Center, 1969 B.S., Chemical Engineering, University of Colorado at Boulder, 1966, with honors | |