ESIA and GW Law alumni Ryan Kilpatrick, B.A. ‘06, J.D. ‘11, discusses how GW prepared him for a successful career bridging the public and private sector as an Associate General Counsel at Meta. Ryan’s work, dealing with issues such as AI and privacy, combines a commitment to service with the ability to navigate complex situations.
'GW prepared me not just for my first job, but for a career that continues to evolve. The school’s emphasis on service, leadership, and practical engagement with real-world legal and policy challenges has been key to my success.'
Ryan Kilpatrick
B.A. ‘06, J.D. ‘11
Where did you grow up and how has your background influenced you today?
I grew up in the Philadelphia area in a family committed to public service. My father was a psychologist at a nonprofit organization focused on supporting the blind and visually impaired, and my mother was a teacher in an inner-city elementary school. Growing up around public service and education shaped my outlook early and influenced my decision to pursue a career that combines law, service, and leadership. It has also made me a lifelong Philadelphia Eagles fan - Go Birds!
Did you receive a scholarship at GW? How did your scholarship help you succeed?
Yes. I received an academic scholarship as an undergraduate, which played an important role in my ability to focus on my studies and fully engage in campus life. It allowed me to pursue internships and academic experiences aligned with public service without unnecessary financial pressure, including interning for a member of Congress on Capitol Hill.
Tell us about your current professional role and how it excites you.
I am an in-house attorney at Meta, where I work on issues involving artificial intelligence, privacy, and data governance. I love helping teams navigate complex legal and regulatory questions while building new technologies. I am particularly excited by the challenge of translating emerging AI policy and legal requirements into practical guidance for product and engineering teams.
What accomplishment are you most proud of personally or professionally and why?
I am most proud of building a career that bridges public service and the private sector. Serving in the Navy Reserve JAG Corps while also advising on complex technology and AI-related issues in industry has been both challenging and rewarding. It reflects the values that originally drew me to law, including a commitment to service and helping organizations navigate complex decisions responsibly.
What is your only-at-GW moment? In other words, what is an experience/opportunity you believe GW provided you access to?
As a freshman at the Elliott School, a small group of us reached out to the Pakistani Embassy and arranged a meeting with one of their representatives. We had the opportunity to hear firsthand how a diplomat thinks, works, and engages with policy in Washington, DC. That kind of direct access and initiative-driven experience felt uniquely GW and captured what makes studying international affairs in the heart of the city so special.
What is a fun fact about you that you'd like to share?
I have always loved science fiction, and I enjoy thinking about how speculative ideas often become real policy questions. Lately, I have been reading Iain M. Banks’s Culture series, which feels especially timely given its focus on artificial intelligence.
Was there a standout course, professor, or organization from your time as a student that inspired your career path?
I am especially grateful to the many GW professors with military and public service experience who helped prepare me for the Navy JAG Corps and played a major role in launching my career. Among these areProfessor Maggs, Professor Schooner, Professor Cervi, former Deans Tom Morrison and Hank Molinengo, and Professors Francis Gilligan and John Naughton, who taught trial advocacy. Their mentorship and practical perspective had a direct impact on my career path and I'm so grateful for GW's ties to the military community.
What is a piece of advice you would offer to students seeking to pursue your field of work?
Seek out interdisciplinary experiences and real-world exposure early. Technology and national security law evolve quickly, so strong judgment, clear communication, and a willingness to keep learning matter just as much as technical legal expertise. Connecting with alumni has been instrumental to my own growth, and it is never too early to start building those relationships.
How do you give back to the GW community?
I stay engaged through alumni networks and enjoy mentoring students and alumni who are interested in technology law, public service, and military legal careers. I recently joined the GW Law Alumni Association Board and have really enjoyed the opportunity to connect with fellow alumni and support the law school community.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with the GW community?
GW prepared me not just for my first job, but for a career that continues to evolve. The school’s emphasis on service, leadership, and practical engagement with real-world legal and policy challenges has been key to my success.