In 2003, she moved to Legal Aid Queensland as in-house defence counsel.
In 2010, she left Legal Aid Queensland and commenced practice at the private bar, specialising in criminal law.
[1][2][3][4] In 2015, she served as one of two Acting Commissioners of the Corruption and Crime Commission.
[5] Notable cases Ryan has presided over on the Supreme Court include criminal proceedings involving businessman and politician Clive Palmer for breaching the Corporations Act and the appeal of Garry Dubois, who had been convicted of the McCulkin murders.
[6][7] Notable cases she had been involved in as a barrister included acting as a member of the defence team for Gable Tostee, acquitted over the fall death of Warriena Wright.