Mr. Ryan received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Accounting from Washburn University in 1971 and his juris doctor from Washburn University School of Law in 1974. Mr. Ryan was admitted to practice law in Kansas in 1974, and in South Carolina in 1999. While County Attorney in the late 1970's, Mr. Ryan served on the Board of Governors and was President of the Kansas County and District Attorneys Association.
Mr. Ryan is admitted to practice before the state and federal courts of Kansas, and state court in South Carolina. He is a member of the Riley County and Kansas Bar Associations, and Kansas Trial Lawyers Association.