Background and Education
Ryan was born in Kalamazoo and was a student in the Portage Public Schools and at
the Kalamazoo Area Mathematics and Science Center. After graduating at the top of
his high school class, Ryan chose to attend Yale University, where he majored in
History and was a three-year varsity letterman on the Heavyweight Crew. During his junior year, he steered
his boat to a Bronze Medal at the 1993 Collegiate National Championship. In his
senior year, Ryan was awarded the Augustus S. Blagden Trophy, which recognized
him as the senior who had done the most to enhance the tradition of rowing at Yale.
Following his graduation from college, Ryan earned his Juris Doctor degree at the
University of Michigan Law School. As a first year law student, Ryan was awarded
a Certificate of Merit for Writing and Advocacy.
Pro Bono Work
As an associate at Lord, Bissell & Brook in Chicago, Ryan was actively involved
in Chicago Volunteer Legal Services, where he represented women and children in
family matters and provided counsel to Chicago residents who otherwise lacked the
resources necessary to hire an attorney. In 2004, Ryan received a Distinguished Service Award from Chicago Volunteer
Legal Services in recognition of his commitment to and work on behalf of his pro-bono
clients.
Personal
Ryan's wife, Elizabeth, is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame and the Kellogg
Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University. They have one child.
Degrees
Yale University, B.A. History, 1994
University of Michigan Law School, J.D., 1997
Bar Admissions
Illinois, 1997
Connecticut, 2006
Michigan, 2007
U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois, 1997
U.S. District Court, Western District of Michigan, 2007
U.S. Court of Appeals (9th Circuit), 2001
Professional and Community Organizations
American Bar Association
State Bar of Michigan
Illinois State Bar Association
Kalamazoo County Bar Association
Kalamazoo Regional Chamber of Commerce
