Overview
Ruth puts 110% into any project she handles for a client. Ruth has been successfully resolving matters in and out of the courtroom since 1991. Ruth has led matters to verdict in seven northwest Illinois counties. She has handled more than 60 arbitration hearings, numerous bench trials and has favorably resolved dozens of matters through dispositive motions.
Ruth handles general litigation matters like breach of contract, probate matters, retail premises litigation, personal injury, medical malpractice and catastrophic and complex defense litigation. A hobby farmer of sorts, Ruth also provides services to the agribusiness industry in areas like real estate, land use and contract disputes, negotiating utility easements (pipeline, solar, wind and cell tower) family farm estate and trust disputes, agricultural spills involving IEPA, crop damage matters and other general liability issues involving the agricultural industry.
As chair of the firm’s Agribusiness Service Group, Ruth manages a team providing comprehensive legal services to agricultural operations, including cooperatives throughout the Midwest. As managing partner of the firm’s Rockford office, Ruth maintains a strong commitment to strengthening firm ties with the Rockford community.
In addition to her work as a litigator, Ruth is also an arbitrator in binding arbitration cases and uninsured/underinsured matters with the American Arbitration Association and the Winnebago County Mandatory Arbitration Program.
Prior to becoming an attorney, Ruth received her Bachelors of Science Degree in nursing and was a practicing nurse.
Outside the office Ruth devotes her time to her hobby farm, horse showing and bird watching. She participates in the Audubon Society’s annual Christmas and spring bird counts.
Experience
Membership & Involvement
- Member: Illinois State Bar Association (Agricultural Law Section Council, 2017 - 2022, 2024-2025)(Elder Law Section Council 2024-2025); American Arbitration Association’s Illinois Uninsured Motorist Panel Arbitrator; The Illinois Farm Bureau; Grain and Feed Association of Illinois
- GAL Subcommittee: Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Elder Law: 2023, 2024
- Board Member: Illinois Guardianship Association: Secretary, 2021 - Present
- Winnebago County Bar Association: Estate Section Vice Chair, 2017 - 2018; Chair, Trial and Appellate Committee, 2013 - 2014; Chair, Law Practice Management Committee, 2010 - 2011; Vice Chair, Law Practice Management Committee, 2009 - 2010; Board of Directors, 2008 – 2011
Honors
- Martindale-Hubbell AV® Preeminent™ rated
- Received the 17th Circuit Professionalism and Civility Award, Winnebago County Bar Association
- Selected to the Illinois Super Lawyers list: 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022
Resources & Insights
Alerts
Speaking Engagements
Firm News
- Keith Mundrick Discusses Eli Lilly's $5.3 Billion Investment in Indiana on the BBC's World Business ReportKeith Mundrick Discusses Eli Lilly's $5.3 Billion Investment in Indiana on the BBC's World Business Report
Keith Mundrick is on the BBC's World Business Report to discuss Eli Lilly's $5.3 billion investment in a manufacturing plant in Lebanon, Indiana.
- The Challenge of Serving in Black Robes, Not White Coats: The Second District Affirms the Denial of Patients’ Requests for IvermectinThe Challenge of Serving in Black Robes, Not White Coats: The Second District Affirms the Denial of Patients’ Requests for Ivermectin
Read Edna McLain’s recent article, “The Challenge of Serving in Black Robes, Not White Coats: The Second District Affirms the Denial of Patients’ Requests for Ivermectin” in IDC Quarterly!
- Rebecca Bush Joins Amundsen Davis as Lead of Employee Benefits, Executive Compensation & Tax Service GroupRebecca Bush Joins Amundsen Davis as Lead of Employee Benefits, Executive Compensation & Tax Service Group
We are excited to announce that Rebecca Bush has joined us as a partner and leader of the firm’s new Employee Benefits, Executive Compensation & Tax Service Group in our Milwaukee office.
- Sherry Coley Named to Board of Directors for New NorthSherry Coley Named to Board of Directors for New North
Sherry Coley is one of three named to the board of directors of New North Inc., a regional economic development corporation for the 18 counties of Northeast Wisconsin.
Services
Education
IIT/Chicago-Kent College of Law, J.D., 1991
IIT/Chicago-Kent College of Law, Environmental Law Certificate
Northern Illinois University, B.S. in Nursing, 1984
Admissions
- Illinois