Ronald J. Guild: Pioneering Insurance Advocate for Law Firms

Ronald J. Guild played a pivotal role in establishing a mutual insurance company that significantly benefited small and midsized law firms. He was instrumental in creating the Illinois State Bar Association’s (ISBA) ISBA Mutual Insurance Co. This development arose at a time when these firms faced steep increases in malpractice insurance premiums and sometimes found no coverage at all.

Jeff Strand, CEO and president of the ISBA Mutual Insurance Co., praised Guild for his business acumen. “Ron always had a lot of insight into the right way to do things in business,” Strand said, emphasizing Guild’s business-focused mindset, distinguishing him from other board members who viewed the venture as an extension of the bar association.

Guild died at 97 on February 23 at Birchwood Plaza Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Rogers Park. His daughter, Susan Sweetra, confirmed his death. Born in 1928 in Geneva, Guild was raised in Wheaton and was a long-time Chicago resident.

Guild’s education included a degree in journalism from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 1950, followed by service in the Army during the Korean War. Returning home, he earned a law degree from the same university in 1955.

Beginning his career in law, Guild first worked at McDermott, Will & Schulte, later becoming a named partner at Teitelbaum, Wolfberg & Guild. He specialized in real estate law and became an authority on mechanic’s liens, contributing articles to the state bar association.

In the 1980s, amidst a malpractice insurance crisis, the state bar appointed Guild to assess the feasibility of forming a mutual insurance company. By 1988, the ISBA Mutual Insurance Co. was established, directly addressing the insurance challenges faced by law firms. Guild’s commitment continued for over two decades, including serving as board chair in 2005 and 2006. He retired from the board in 2009 but remained as an advisor until 2014.

Guild’s contributions extended to community service. He was involved in local education, serving on Wheaton’s school board in the late 1960s and leading the Wheaton Community Association’s July 4 fireworks displays in the mid-1970s.

Despite winding down his law practice by the early 1990s, Guild pursued personal interests. He crafted a restoration of a cider press and formed a group dedicated to making wine and cider. He enjoyed activities such as volleyball, tennis, golf, skiing, sailing, dancing, and playing bridge, and he had a passion for jazz.

In 2022, Guild participated in an Honor Flight to Washington, D.C., marking a significant moment post-COVID-19 pandemic. His personal life included a marriage to Marilyn Guild, which ended in divorce, a long-term partner Carroll Cradock, a daughter, Susan, a son, John, and two grandsons.

“He was definitely a force of nature,” Strand commented, underlining Guild’s relentless energy and commitment.

Bob Goldsborough contributed to this article as a freelance reporter.