Margaret A. Ryan

This article is about the U.S. judge. For the Scottish children's writer, see Margaret Ryan. For the film actor, see Meg Ryan.

Margaret Ryan
Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces
Incumbent
Assumed office December 20, 2006
Appointed by	George W. Bush
Preceded by	Sparky Gierke
Personal details
Born	(1964-05-23) May 23, 1964 Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Spouse(s)	Michael Collins
Alma mater	Knox College, Illinois University of Notre Dame

Margaret A. "Meg" Ryan is a Judge for the United States Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces (CAAF). She joined the court in 2006 after being nominated by President George W. Bush.

Early life and education

Born in Chicago, Illinois, Ryan graduated from Knox College with her Bachelor of Arts degree in 1985. Ryan attended law school under the Marine Corps Law Education Program at the University of Notre Dame Law School, where she also was a member of the Notre Dame Law Review.

Legal career

Following law school graduation, Ryan served on active duty for the United States Marine Corps from 1988–1992, and again as a judge advocate from 1995-1999. Ryan served in units within the II & III Marine Expeditionary Forces as a Staff Officer, Company Commander, Platoon Commander, and Operations Officer. Judge Ryan's tours included deployments to the Philippines, during a coup attempt, and to Saudi Arabia during Desert Shield and Desert Storm. As a Judge Advocate General (JAG) officer, Ryan served as a Trial Counsel and Chief Trial Counsel in Okinawa, Japan and Quantico, Virginia. Ryan was then selected by General Charles C. Krulak, Commandant of the Marine Corps, to serve as his Aide de Camp.

Ryan was law clerk to Judge Michael Luttig on the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, and then to Justice Clarence Thomas on the United States Supreme Court in 2001-2002.

Prior to joining the court, Ryan was in private practice with various firms. Most recently, she was at Wiley Rein LLP from 2004 until her appointment to the court. Before that she was with Bartlit Beck Herman Palenchar & Scott from 2002–2004 and Cooper, Carvin & Rosenthal from 1999-2000.

Federal Judicial Career

Ryan was nominated by President George W. Bush on November 15, 2006 to replace Judge H. F. Gierke III, who retired September 30, 2006. She was confirmed less than a month later by the U.S. Senate on December 9, 2006 by unanimous consent during the closing hours of the 109th Congress. Ryan's appointed for 15-year term is due to expire on September 30, 2021.

Judge Ryan is married to Michael J. Collins.

See also

• List of law clerks of the Supreme Court of the United States

References

Legal offices
Preceded by Sparky Gierke	Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces 2006–present	Incumbent