James Leo Ryan
(1932- )

 
Date and Place of Birth
  • November 19, 1932, Detroit, Michigan
Education
  • University of Detroit, LL .B., 1956
  • University of Detroit, B.A., 1992
Military Service
  • U. S. Naval Reserve, Judge Advocate General's Corps, 1957-1992, retired Captain; Certified Military Judge under 10 USC 826.
Private Practice
  • Waldron, Brennan & Maher, Detroit, Michigan, 1960-1963
  • Ryan & Burress, Redford, Michigan, 1963-1966
Judicial Experience
  • Justice of Peace, Redford, Michigan, 1963-1966
  • Judge, Third Judicial Circuit, Michigan, 1966-1975
  • Justice, Supreme Court of Michigan, 1975-1985
  • Judge, U. S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, 1986-2000
  • Senior Judge, U. S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, 2000-present
Judicial Committees & Activities
  • Michigan Supreme Court
    • Supervising Justice, Michigan Judicial Institute, 1979-1985
  • Sixth Circuit Judicial Council, Executive Committee Member, 1986-2001
Academic Positions
  • Adjunct Professor of Law, University of Detroit School of Law, 1974-1987
  • Adjunct Professor of Law, Thomas M. Cooley Law School, 1979-1985
  • Adjunct Faculty, Ave Maria School of Law, Ann Arbor, Mich., 2001-present
  • Faculty, National Judicial College, 1970-1985
  • Faculty, American Academy of Judicial Education, 1972-1985
  • Faculty, Michigan Judicial Institute, 1976-1987
Professional Associations
  • Detroit and Michigan Bar Association
  • Federal Bar Association
  • Federal Judges Association
  • American Judicature Society
  • Wayne County Justices of the Peace Association
    • President, 1965-1967
  • National Conference of Appellate Court Judges
  • National Conference of State Trial Judges, 1967-1975
Civic & Other Activities
  • Naval Reserve Lawyers Association
  • Board of Directors, Donald M. Barton Memorial Foundation, Detroit, 1967-1973
  • Trustee, Marygrove College, Detroit, 1971-1973
  • Board of Directors, Thomas M. Cooley Law School, Lansing, 1973-1985
  • Board of Governors, Ave Maria School of Law, Ann Arbor, Mich., 1998-2006
  • Board of Directors, Angels' Place, 2005-present
  • Advisory Board, Ave Maria Foundation, 1998-present
  • Board of Directors, Michigan Supreme Court Historical Society
  • Knights of Columbus
  • Order of Malta
Honors and Awards
  • Honorary Degree of Doctor of Humane Letters
    • Madonna College, Livonia, Mich., 1976
    • Detroit College of Law, 1978
    • Thomas M. Cooley Law School, 1986
    • University of Detroit Law School, 1986
  • Morality in Media Award, 1978