James L. Ryan
Encyclopedia
James Leo Ryan is a former Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
.
. He earned B.A. and LL.B. degrees from the University of Detroit.
Following his graduation from the University of Detroit School of Law in 1956, Judge Ryan served as a Law Specialist in the United States Navy
and was assigned to the Judge Advocate General
(JAG) and duty with the United States Marine Corps
. Upon his release from active duty in 1960, he continued to serve in the JAG Corps. of the United States Naval Reserve, and, in 1992, retired from the Naval Reserve as a Military Judge with the rank of Captain.
Before his career in the judiciary, Judge Ryan was engaged in the private practice of law. In 1963, Judge Ryan served as a Justice of the Peace for Redford Township. In 1966, he was elected to the Third Judicial Circuit of Michigan. In 1975, Governor William G. Milliken appointed Judge Ryan to the Michigan Supreme Court
, where he served as the 89th Justice, until his appointment in 1985 by President Ronald Reagan
as a judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. He assumed senior status in 2000 and served as a senior judge until his retirement on September 3, 2010.
Judge Ryan has extensive teaching experience. He has served as an adjunct professor of law at Ave Maria School of Law, the University of Detroit School of Law, and the Thomas M. Cooley Law School. He has lectured on Evidence, Criminal Procedure, and Constitutional Law at those institutions and at state and federal judicial training sessions in thirty states. He has served as a faculty member of the National Judicial College in Reno, Nevada, and the Appellate Judges Conference of the American Bar Association. Judge Ryan has been awarded four Honorary Doctor of Laws degrees.
United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
The United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit is a federal court with appellate jurisdiction over the district courts in the following districts:* Eastern District of Kentucky* Western District of Kentucky...
.
Biography
Judge Ryan grew up in Detroit and graduated from Detroit Catholic Central High SchoolDetroit Catholic Central High School
Detroit Catholic Central High School is a private, Catholic, all-male, college preparatory high school in Novi, Michigan. Founded in 1928 in Detroit, Michigan by the Archdiocese of Detroit, the school is operated by the Congregation of St. Basil...
. He earned B.A. and LL.B. degrees from the University of Detroit.
Following his graduation from the University of Detroit School of Law in 1956, Judge Ryan served as a Law Specialist in the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
and was assigned to the Judge Advocate General
Judge Advocate General's Corps
Judge Advocate General's Corps, also known as JAG or JAG Corps, refers to the legal branch or specialty of the U.S. Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, and Navy. Officers serving in the JAG Corps are typically called Judge Advocates. The Marine Corps and Coast Guard do not maintain separate JAG Corps...
(JAG) and duty with the United States Marine Corps
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
. Upon his release from active duty in 1960, he continued to serve in the JAG Corps. of the United States Naval Reserve, and, in 1992, retired from the Naval Reserve as a Military Judge with the rank of Captain.
Before his career in the judiciary, Judge Ryan was engaged in the private practice of law. In 1963, Judge Ryan served as a Justice of the Peace for Redford Township. In 1966, he was elected to the Third Judicial Circuit of Michigan. In 1975, Governor William G. Milliken appointed Judge Ryan to the Michigan Supreme Court
Michigan Supreme Court
The Michigan Supreme Court is the highest court in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is known as Michigan's "court of last resort" and consists of seven justices who are elected to eight-year terms. Candidates are nominated by political parties and are elected on a nonpartisan ballot...
, where he served as the 89th Justice, until his appointment in 1985 by President Ronald Reagan
Ronald Reagan
Ronald Wilson Reagan was the 40th President of the United States , the 33rd Governor of California and, prior to that, a radio, film and television actor....
as a judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. He assumed senior status in 2000 and served as a senior judge until his retirement on September 3, 2010.
Judge Ryan has extensive teaching experience. He has served as an adjunct professor of law at Ave Maria School of Law, the University of Detroit School of Law, and the Thomas M. Cooley Law School. He has lectured on Evidence, Criminal Procedure, and Constitutional Law at those institutions and at state and federal judicial training sessions in thirty states. He has served as a faculty member of the National Judicial College in Reno, Nevada, and the Appellate Judges Conference of the American Bar Association. Judge Ryan has been awarded four Honorary Doctor of Laws degrees.