Judge William C. Ryan: Professional Background and Legal Expertise

The Hon. William C. Ryan is a judge for the Los Angeles County Superior Court in California. He became a judge for the court in February of 1994.

Judge Ryan received his bachelor's degree from the State University of New York at Albany. He took a brief hiatus from his studies, during which time he managed an auto-parts store in New York. Ryan then decided to move to Los Angeles in 1982. He attended Southwestern Law School where he graduated magna cum laude with his J.D. in 1986. While in law school, Ryan was a member of the Moot Court honors program.

After graduating from law school, Ryan joined the Los Angeles law firm Sidley Austin as an associate. He practiced business and commercial litigation for the firm from 1986 to 1994.

During his time on the Superior Court, Judge Ryan presided over the Criminal Division's Writs Center which hears post-conviction appeals, mainly involving the resentencing of three-strike offenders.