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
- 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!
- Amundsen Davis Welcomes Attorney Sean Thompson to St. Charles OfficeAmundsen Davis Welcomes Attorney Sean Thompson to St. Charles Office
We are excited to welcome Sean Thompson to the General Liability Service Group in our St. Charles office.
- Associate Olivia LaPorta Joins Amundsen DavisAssociate Olivia LaPorta Joins Amundsen Davis
We are pleased to announce that Olivia LaPorta has joined our Chicago office as an Associate in our Transportation & Logistics Service Group.
- Margaret A. Miles Joins Labor & Employment Service GroupMargaret A. Miles Joins Labor & Employment Service Group
We are happy to welcome Margaret A. Miles to the Labor, Employment, Benefits & Immigration Service Group in our Chicago office.
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