Gov. Patrick Names Marian Ryan New Middlesex DA

Gov. Deval Patrick has appointed Marian Ryan to the post of Middlesex district attorney, filling the seat left vacant by the resignation of Gerald Leone.

Ryan has served in the office for more than three decades, most recently as general counsel and chief of the Elder and Disabled Unit.

Patrick says Ryan brings "a great wealth of experience as a prosecutor" to the job.

He says she has experience prosecuting homicide and other felony cases and has tried hundreds of cases in District and Superior courts. She has also briefed and argued more than 40 cases in the Appeals Court and the Supreme Judicial Court.

Ryan replaces Michael Pelgro, who held the post temporarily. She faces election next year.

Ryan lives in Belmont with her husband. The couple has two children.