Born in Los Angeles, California, Ramirez received an Associate of Arts degree from Glendale Junior College in 1965, a Bachelor of Arts degree from Los Angeles State College (now California State University, Los Angeles) in 1967 and a Juris Doctor from the McGeorge School of Law at the University of the Pacific in 1970.
He was a law clerk for Judge William Gallagher of the Sacramento County Superior Court in California, from 1970 to 1971.
[2] On December 14, 1979, Ramirez was nominated by President Jimmy Carter to a new seat on the United States District Court for the Eastern District of California created by 92 Stat.
[3] Since his resignation from the federal bench, Ramirez has engaged in the private practice of law as an arbitrator and mediator.
From 1990 to 1996, he served as a Senior Litigation Partner with the law firm of Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe, concentrating in alternative dispute resolution.