Ryan R. Wood

Former Judge Ryan R. Wood is a seasoned legal professional with more than 20 years of experience spanning military service, federal prosecution, immigration enforcement, and the judiciary. As a former Assistant Chief Immigration Judge for the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR), Ryan has built a distinguished career marked by leadership, strategic thinking, and a deep commitment to the fair application of immigration law. Judicial Experience From March 2019 until his retirement in February 2025, Ryan served as an Assistant Chief Immigration Judge, where he oversaw immigration courts in Fort Snelling, Cleveland, Detroit, and Kansas City. In this role, he managed court operations, supervised administrative functions, and presided over complex immigration proceedings including deportation, exclusion, removal, rescission, and bond hearings. Ryan began his judicial career in April 2017 when he was appointed as an Immigration Judge at the Fort Snelling Immigration Court. During his time on the bench, he developed a reputation for his thorough preparation, analytical approach, and clear communication of complex legal concepts. His expertise in immigration law made him a valued trainer for new judges on specialized topics including criminal immigration issues, evidence, asylum, and mental competency proceedings. Throughout his judicial tenure, Ryan demonstrated remarkable success in managing significant court growth and caseload increases. Under his leadership, the Fort Snelling and Cleveland Immigration Courts achieved substantial increases in case completions while maintaining high standards of judicial process and fairness. He was recognized for his strategic docket management skills, including the implementation of innovative approaches that increased court efficiency without compromising due process. Federal Prosecution and Legal Service Prior to his judicial appointment, Ryan served as a Special Assistant United States Attorney for the District of Minnesota from November 2014 to April 2017. Assigned to the Major Crimes and Priority Prosecutions section, he represented the United States in federal court and before the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals. His prosecution portfolio included cases involving identity theft, passport fraud, illegal reentry, tax fraud, child exploitation, intellectual property crimes, and armed bank robbery. In this role, he secured more than thirty-five felony convictions, including two successful jury trials. Ryan was also responsible for training more than one hundred federal law enforcement officers on Fourth Amendment protections. Ryan's expertise in immigration law was further developed during his service as Assistant Chief Counsel for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement from October 2009 to March 2014. While representing the Department of Homeland Security in immigration proceedings, he was designated as a National Security Attorney with Top Secret security clearance. His accomplishments in this role included successfully negotiating and coordinating a high-profile national security removal to Iran, for which he received a Special Achievement Award in 2012. Ryan also served as a trial attorney for worksite enforcement actions related to I-9 audits and investigations. His federal service also included a position as an Embedded Attorney with Homeland Security Investigations, where he provided legal guidance and litigation support on complex criminal cases involving border searches, forfeitures, narcotics, wiretaps, human trafficking, child exploitation, cybercrimes, worksite enforcement actions, and commercial fraud. Military Service Ryan's legal career began in the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General's Corps, where he served in various capacities from 2005 to 2009. As a Trial Defense Counsel with the U.S. Army Trial Defense Service, he represented soldiers facing court-martial proceedings and administrative hearings, including a twelve-month deployment to Iraq where he defended soldiers facing criminal charges across Iraq, Kuwait, and Afghanistan. For his exceptional service in a combat zone, he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal and the U.S. Army Commendation Medal. Before his defense work, Ryan served as a Senior Trial Counsel and Trial Counsel for the U.S. Army 4th Infantry Division, prosecuting criminal cases before military juries, military judges, and administrative boards. As Senior Trial Counsel, he led the training of new Trial Counsel and provided Fourth Amendment training for federal law enforcement officers. He was also appointed as a Military Magistrate by the Fourth U.S. Army Judicial Circuit, where he conducted pre-trial confinement hearings and issued search authorizations and arrest warrants. During his military service, Ryan also worked as Soldiers' Counsel for the U.S. Army 7th Infantry Division, representing injured soldiers in administrative proceedings related to fitness and disability determinations. His remarkable success rate in contested cases led to his selection as one of only two JAG attorneys Army-wide to attend a conference on redesigning the Army's disability system. Education and Professional Development Ryan holds a Juris Doctor from Hamline University School of Law, where he served as an editor for the Hamline Law Review. He subsequently earned a Master of Business Administration from Hamline University School of Business, complementing his legal expertise with advanced business acumen that proved valuable in his court management roles. His undergraduate education includes a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with a minor in Management from Hamline University College of Liberal Arts. Ryan's commitment to ongoing professional development has been evident throughout his career. While serving as Assistant Chief Immigration Judge, he delivered hundreds of hours of formal instruction across all EOIR components. He also served on various committees and special assignments, including the Immigration Judge Hiring Committee, EOIR Training Committee, and the Pro Bono Steering Committee (Director's Award recipient), and led efforts for the OCIJ Case Flow Management Action Plan (Special Commendation recipient). Leadership and Management Ryan's leadership approach combines analytical rigor with interpersonal effectiveness. During his tenure as Assistant Chief Immigration Judge, he successfully managed significant caseload growth while improving court efficiency. His management philosophy emphasizes data analysis, strategic resource allocation, and clear communication with both internal and external stakeholders. Ryan has been recognized for his ability to distill complex information into clear, understandable terms—a skill that has made him effective in training, stakeholder engagement, and court administration. Professional Memberships and Community Involvement Ryan was admitted to the Minnesota Bar in October 2004 and has maintained active involvement in the legal community throughout his career. He served as a local union representative for the National Association of Immigration Judges during his time as an Immigration Judge. Beyond his legal work, Ryan has demonstrated a commitment to community service as a volunteer with Team Rubicon Disaster Response, where he serves as a level 1 sawyer. As of May 2024, he also serves as a board member for MicroGrants, a nonprofit organization. Current Focus Following his retirement from the bench in February 2025, Ryan brings his wealth of experience and expertise to private practice, where he focuses on immigration law consultation and complex case strategy. Drawing on his judicial perspective and comprehensive understanding of the immigration system, he offers unique insights to clients navigating complicated immigration matters. Ryan's approach to client service reflects the same values that guided his judicial career: thorough preparation, clear communication, and an unwavering commitment to the fair application of immigration law. His experience on both sides of the immigration system—as a government attorney and as a judge—gives him a comprehensive understanding of immigration proceedings that few practitioners can match. Licensed to practice in Minnesota, Ryan brings a strategic, solution-oriented approach to his work, helping clients understand the complexities of immigration law and navigate pathways toward successful outcomes. Awards and Honors Honors US Department of Justice, Executive Office for Immigration Review Special Commendation, 2024 US Department of Justice, Executive Office for Immigration Review Director’s Award, 2023 US Department of Homeland Security Special Achievement Award, 2012 US Army Bronze Star medal, 2009 US Army Commendation medal (2), 2007 & 2009

• Minnesota, 2004