James L. Ryan

James Leo Ryan (born November 19, 1932, in Detroit, Michigan) is a senior judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. Prior to joining the Sixth Circuit, Ryan was the 89th Justice of the Michigan Supreme Court, serving from 1975 through 1985.

Ryan attended Detroit Catholic Central High School and the University of Detroit. In 1953 he entered the University's School of Law. In 1956, he was awarded his LL.B. He served as Judge Advocate General (JAG) officer for the United States Navy on active duty until 1960, continuing his military service until he retired with the rank of Captain in 1992.

In 1966, he was elected to the Third Judicial Circuit of Michigan. In 1975, Governor William G. Milliken appointed Ryan to the Michigan Supreme Court, where he served until his selection by President Ronald Reagan as a judge of the Sixth Circuit in 1985.

Affiliations

He is a Knight of Malta.

Family

He married Mary Elizabeth Rogers on October 12 1957. Among their children is Judge Dan Ryan, judge for the 3rd Circuit Court for Wayne County (Detroit) and author of "Ryan's Essential Evidence Outlines."

External links

* [http://www.micourthistory.org/resources/Speeches/james%20l.%20ryan.pdf Michigan Supreme Court speeches]
* [http://www.micourthistory.org/resources/jlryan.php Michigan Supreme Court history]
* [http://www.maltausa.org/american_leadership_officers.php United States Knights of Malta website]