Legacy of Ronald J. Guild in Legal and Community Service
Attorney Ronald J. Guild played a crucial role in establishing a mutual insurance company designed to support small and midsize law firms with malpractice insurance. This initiative, known as ISBA Mutual Insurance Co., emerged in response to steep malpractice insurance premiums and coverage shortages in the 1980s. These issues posed significant challenges for smaller legal practices.
Jeff Strand, the current CEO and president of ISBA Mutual Insurance Co., highlighted Guild’s business acumen. He stated, “Ron always had a lot of insight into the right way to do things in business.” Guild understood that the ISBA Mutual Insurance Co. was a business distinct from the bar association, which set him apart from other board members who primarily focused on legal practice rather than business management.
Ronald J. Guild passed away at age 97 on February 23 at Birchwood Plaza Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Rogers Park. His daughter, Susan Sweetra, confirmed his death. Guild had lived in various locations, including Chicago’s Near West Side and Wheaton.
Born in Geneva in 1928, Guild grew up in Wheaton, graduating from Wheaton Community High School. He earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 1950. Guild served as a second lieutenant in the Army during the Korean War and later pursued a law degree, graduating from the University of Illinois in 1955.
Guild began his legal career with McDermott, Will & Schulte, later joining Teitelbaum, Wolfberg & Guild as a named partner. He specialized in real estate law, focusing on mechanic’s liens, which are legal claims by unpaid contractors. Guild was an active member of the state bar association, contributing articles on mechanic’s liens.
The ISBA appointed Guild to a committee in the 1980s to explore forming a mutual insurance company for legal malpractice. Guild’s committee recommended this approach, leading to the ISBA Mutual Insurance Co.’s founding in 1988. Guild served on the board for 22 years, including chairmanship in 2005 and 2006.
Strand emphasized Guild’s service-oriented approach, noting, “For Ron, it was always not about the profit motive… but what are we doing to provide a service?” Guild retired from the board in 2009 but continued advising for five years. Strand described him as “a force of nature” who never stopped working.
In the 1990s, Guild wound down his firm, eventually transitioning to a solo practice. He retired from legal practice in 2010. Guild also participated in community affairs, serving on Wheaton’s school board and managing the city’s July 4 fireworks as president of the Wheaton Community Association from 1975 to 1976.
An advocate for tradition and recreation, Guild restored a 19th-century cider press and organized gatherings to produce wine and apple cider. He enjoyed sports like volleyball, tennis, and golf, and was a jazz fan who occasionally played the bass. His passion for community service continued with the Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. in 2022, post-pandemic.
Guild’s marriage to Marilyn Guild ended in divorce. He is survived by his long-term partner, Carroll Cradock, daughter Susan Sweetra, son John, and two grandsons. Services were held to honor his memory.