Serving Plaintiff & Defense Attorneys Nationwide
(702) 696-8745About Ryan Dahlstrom
Consulting & Testifying Expert Witness
Ryan Dahlstrom is a hospitality and entertainment expert witness with more than 35 years of operational experience, retained by plaintiff and defense attorneys nationwide.
About Ryan Dahlstrom — Expert Witness
Ryan Dahlstrom is a nationally retained expert witness specializing in dram shop liability, liquor liability, negligent security, and premises liability in licensed hospitality venues. He has more than 35 years of direct operational experience as a general manager, responsible beverage service trainer, and security consultant at bars, nightclubs, hotels, casinos, restaurants, and live entertainment venues across the United States. He is a member of ASIS International and, in managing and consulting engagements, trains service staff on responsible alcohol service beyond their state-required certification. Ryan has provided expert witness services, including case review, written expert reports, deposition testimony, and trial testimony, for both plaintiff and defense counsel in matters nationwide. He can be reached at Ryan@ExpertWitness.co or by phone at (702) 696-8745.
Executive Summary
Hospitality Operations Experience Applied to Litigation
With over 35 years of experience in the entertainment and hospitality sectors, Ryan Dahlstrom offers an in-depth, hands-on perspective to each case. His background spans general management, hotel beverage direction, nightclub and venue security, live event production, and hospitality consulting.
Attorneys representing both plaintiffs and defendants nationwide have retained Ryan for case review, expert opinions, and testimony grounded in hospitality and entertainment industry standards. He serves as a Consulting Expert, Testifying Expert, and Educating Expert -- providing support at every stage of litigation from initial case review through trial.
Areas of Expertise
Specialized Knowledge for Complex Cases
Dram Shop Liability
Responsible alcohol service practices, overservice, visible intoxication, and server training standards for licensed establishments.
Nightlife & Entertainment Security
Expertise in security management, use of force, foreseeable risks, and crowd control in high-volume venues.
Hospitality Operations
Deep understanding of operational procedures, training, and management best practices across diverse hospitality settings.
Premises Liability
Evaluation of hazard identification, inspection and maintenance practices, and safety protocols at hospitality and entertainment venues.
Video Compiling & Analysis
Review and compilation of surveillance footage to build an operational timeline of events.
Ownership & Management Practices
Assessment of ownership and management oversight, supervision, and decision-making against hospitality industry standards.
Alcohol Service to Minors
Evaluation of age-verification policies, ID-checking practices, and staff training to prevent alcohol service to minors.
Special Event Management
Proficient in planning, executing, and securing large-scale events, festivals, and concerts.
Injury, Violence, Accidents, Death
Analysis of incidents, operational contributing factors, and venue practices in matters involving injury, violence, accidents, or death.
Courtroom Record
Trials & Depositions
Haupt v. Fiesta Hotel and Casino
GGRM Law Firm (Plaintiff)
Premises Liability · Event Security
March 20, 2020
District Court, Clark County, NV
Case No. A-18-776379-C
Draskovich v. Richards Bar
Pullano & Siporin (Plaintiff)
March 18, 2026
Circuit Court of Cook County, IL
Case No. 2022 L 063072
Professional Experience
Career History
Ryan Dahlstrom Consulting and Expert Witness
2013 - PresentConsulting Expert | Testifying Expert | Educating Expert
- Provides expert witness services in litigation related to dram shop, nightlife and entertainment security, hospitality operations, and premises liability.
- Conducts case assessments, prepares expert reports, and provides deposition and trial testimony.
- Serves as a consulting expert to counsel, analyzing operational practices against hospitality industry standards.
The Bar & Restaurant Experts
October 2008 - PresentFounder / Consultant
- Specializes in hospitality design, buildout, and fulfillment for Bars, Restaurants, Hotels, and Nightclubs, overseeing projects from concept to completion.
- Developed and authored over 1,000 pages of training manuals, handbooks, job descriptions, pricing guides, and operating procedures used by bars, restaurants, hotels, and nightclubs.
- Publications: The Bar Starts Here | Life Behind Bars | Bartender Training Manual | Server Training Manual. Media: The Wall Street Journal, Las Vegas Weekly, Fox TV
Nightclub Hall of Fame
October 2013 - PresentFounder / President
- Recognizes and honors outstanding members of the Nightclub & Bar industry through inductions, award ceremonies, speaking engagements, and global events.
Questex Media Group
October 2011 - October 2014Nightlife & Entertainment Director -- Nightclub & Bar Convention | Program Director -- On The Rocks Las Vegas
- Programmed celebrities and managed nightlife events for the 2012-2014 Nightclub & Bar Show and Jon Taffer's On The Rocks Las Vegas.
- Collaborated with high-profile nightclubs and celebrities including CeeLo Green, Calvin Harris, Toby Keith, Tiesto, Lil Jon, Ne-Yo, XS Nightclub, Marquee Nightclub, Hakkasan Nightclub, Tao Nightclub, and more.
Crowne Plaza Dallas / Thrive Nightclub
May 2009 - June 2010Hotel Director of Beverage / Nightclub General Manager
- Served on the Upper Management Team for the comprehensive hotel remodel, including FFE sourcing and fulfillment.
- Oversaw the design and buildout of the restaurant, nightclub, and event space.
- Managed all beverage operations for the hotel and nightclub, ensuring profitability and adherence to brand standards.
Other Relevant Experience
2000 - 2014- Park City Live Utah: Operating Manager -- received two letters of appreciation from the City of Park City (2014-2015).
- KRAVE Nightclub: Manager -- secured and activated licensing and permits to operate as the first 18 & Over Nightclub on the Las Vegas Strip (2011).
- Steve Wyrick Theatre: General Manager, Las Vegas Strip (2008-2009).
- Soul Circus Inc ('UniverSoul Circus'): Touring Manager for the 2008 United States Tour.
- NAVY Entertainment: Managed 2009 United States Military Celebrity Tours in Spain, Italy, Greece, Korea, Guam, Kuwait, Iraq, Africa, Japan, Dubai, Germany, Turkey, and Jordan.
- Our Troops First: International Tour Manager (2007-2009).
- CSA Ltd, Kuwait: USO Coordinator / Tour Manager (2005-2007).
- Dahlstrom Entertainment: Owner / Producer -- coordinating security, venue production, live performances, celebrity meet & greets, travel, and accommodations (2000-2008).
Client Portfolio
Partial Client List
A selection of venues, organizations, and individuals Ryan has worked with across his career.
Consulting Fee Schedule
Professional Services Rates
All fees are outlined below. An initial retainer is required prior to commencement of any work.
Fee Schedule -- 2026
Expert Witness Rate
Initial $5,000 nonrefundable retainer, billed against at $500/hr. An additional $5,000 retainer is required once the balance reaches $1,000.
Report Writing
Half Day Deposition (4 hrs)
Minimum
Full Day Deposition (8 hrs)
Maximum
Half Day Trial Testimony (4 hrs)
Minimum
Full Day Trial Testimony (8 hrs)
Maximum
Site Visit
Travel Time
Per Diem
Plus travel and lodging at actual cost
Cancellation Policy: Cancellation within 1 week of scheduled deposition or trial results in a 4-hour charge. Cancellation within 48 hours results in an 8-hour charge. Payment for deposition and trial fees must be received prior to testimony or the engagement will be considered canceled.
Ready to Discuss Your Case?
Contact Ryan directly for a confidential consultation. Available for case review, deposition, and trial testimony nationwide.