Hon. Ronald D. Sutter, (Ret.)
IllinoisNeutral AvailabilityJudge Sutter has served the legal community as an attorney, prosecutor and jurist with passion and dignity for more than 38 years. A successful litigator, he focused his practice in personal injury and insurance matters. Judge Sutter served 15 years as a DuPage County Circuit Court Judge and was the Presiding Judge of the Law Division. As a mediator, Judge Sutter is praised for his integrity, legal ability and temperament. He is adept at creating productive relationships with the parties, listening carefully to their concerns and assisting them to resolve their disputes. Judge Sutter brings all of these skills to his practice as a senior mediator and arbitrator at ADR Systems.
Types of Cases Resolved
- Auto Liability
- Construction Accidents
- Contract
- Defamation
- Eminent Domain
- Estates
- Family Business
- Insurance Coverage
- Landlord-Tenant
- Legal Malpractice
- Medical Malpractice
- Nursing Home
- Personal Injury
- Premises Liability
- Product Liability
- Property Damage
- Real Estate
- Sexual Abuse
- Uninsured & Underinsured Motorist (UM&UIM)
- Wrongful Death
ADR Experience and Qualifications
- Since joining ADR Systems in 2019, Judge Sutter has served as a full-time mediator and arbitrator
- 15-year judicial career in the 18th Judicial Circuit Court including serving as Presiding Judge of the Law Division, 2012-2018; Presiding Judge of the Misdemeanor and Traffic Divisions; Associate Judge in Chancery, Traffic and Misdemeanor, 2003-2010
- 23-year legal career as a litigator including Managing Partner, Querrey & Harrow, Ltd. Wheaton Office, 1995-2003 and Board of Directors, 1999-2000; William J. Wylie & Associates, 1988-1989; Office of the DuPage County State’s Attorney, rising to Supervising Attorney in Felony Trial Division, 1981-1988; Judicial Law Clerk for the Circuit Court of DuPage County, 1980-1981
Representative Cases
- Contract: failure to deliver 97 million pieces of mail, primarily Black Friday advertising; complex case involved multiple parties including printers, logistics companies and subcontractors
- Contract: owner of float therapy business sued supplier for selling defective equipment
- Defamation: online review of resort hotel accusing a hotel manager of window peeping and other outrageous behavior
- Estates: wealthy 93-year-old man made provisions in estate plan for his 86-year-old female companion including cash and property; sons objected and obtained guardianship over their father; woman filed suit claiming tortious interference with inheritance expectancy
- Medical Malpractice and Products Liability: woman sued surgeon and manufacturer of mechanized cryotherapy device which surgeon had recommended for use following surgery; woman developed a cold injury requiring several skin grafts, therapy and pain medication
- Medical Malpractice: radiologist and hospital alleged failure to properly interpret CT scan of abdomen and pelvis leading to removal of a kidney
- Personal Injury: road rage incident on expressway and post-traumatic stress (PSD) disorder; driver cut off in traffic; driver told his wife to roll down her window and adjust her seat back while he proceeded to shoot at car that had cut him off with a 9mm handgun
- Personal injury: delivery man for major soft drink company injured when grocery store employee pushing a pallet jack collided with plaintiff resulting in multiple injuries including complex regional pain syndrome
- Personal Injury: successfully settled hundreds of personal injury cases related to motor vehicle collisions; other matters include slip and fall, dog bites and cases involving municipalities
- Personal Injury: cab driver hit wall due to snowy road and injured passenger, a 58-year-old breast cancer survivor; alleged injuries included a ruptured breast implant leading to removal of both implants
- Personal Injury: junior college football player injured during alleged illegal summertime ‘mandatory’ practice in violation of NJCAA rules
- Property Damage: settled many significant fire damage and water damage cases
- Sexual Abuse and Insurance Coverage: karate instructor allegedly assaulted two minors resulting in extensive therapy and treatment for both minors; other issues included responsibility of franchisor and franchisee and possible third-party liability
- Wrongful Death: paramedic willful and wanton conduct for not having proper equipment available leading to choking death of
Professional Activities and Awards
- Former Member, Committee on Character and Fitness, Illinois Supreme Court
- Former Member, DuPage County Bar Association (DCBA) Judiciary Committee
- Member, DCBA
- Former Member, Kane County Bar Association
- Former Member, Illinois Judges Association
- Former Member, Defense Research Institute
- Former Member, Illinois Association of Defense Trial Counsel
Presentations and Publications
- Panelist, “Law Divisions of Illinois Circuit Courts,” Chicago Bar Foundation and the Illinois Judges Association
- Presenter, “The Art of Jury Selection,” DCBA
- Panelist, “Jury Trial Selection,” Lunchtime Seminar Series
- Panelist, “Trial Prep: Top Tips from Cook, DuPage and Will Counties,” Lunchtime Seminar Series
Education
- JD, University of Illinois College of Law
- Illinois State University
- Honors
Admissions
- Illinois State Bar
- US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
- Trial Bar for the Northern District of Illinois
- Arizona State Bar
Disclosure
I was a sitting judge for over 15 years, have practiced law and have been a mediator and arbitrator since 2018. Many attorneys have tried cases in my courtrooms or mediated or arbitrated a case with me.
The disclosures listed above will not affect my neutrality in this dispute.
