R. Scott Ryder graduated magna cum laude from Wittenberg University, Springfield, Ohio, in 1971 with a BA in History. He attended Indiana University School of Law in Bloomington, Indiana, where he received his Juris Doctor degree in 1974. He was admitted to practice law in Michigan on January 17, 1975, and continues in the practice of law to the present day. He began his involvement in juvenile justice in 1975 while working as an assistant prosecuting attorney in Shiawassee County, Michigan, with primary responsibility for all proceedings in the juvenile court. His involvement in the juvenile justice system continued after leaving Shiawassee County. He served as chief hearing referee and then research referee for 25 years at the Kalamazoo County, Michigan, juvenile court and later at the family court. After retiring from his referee position in May 2004, he became the juvenile court director for St.

Joseph County, Michigan, a position he held until 2007, when he went to work for the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi as their tribal court administrator, and he also represented the tribe in state courts as their Indian child welfare attorney from 2008 to 2012. In addition to working in the courts, he has extensive training and teaching experience. He was an instructor/trainer for the Michigan Judicial Institute, the Michigan Department of Human Services, and the Michigan Supreme Court Administrator's Office. He has taught at the college level as an adjunct assistant professor at Western Michigan University, as an instructor at Glenn Oaks Community College, and as adjunct faculty at Spring Arbor University. He also has a limited private legal practice. When he is not working, teaching, or writing, his hobbies include officiating soccer, playing golf, and reading. He is married to Denise and has three adult sons and an adult stepdaughter.