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Ronald D. Menna, Jr.

630.510.4900  |  Menna@rathjelaw.com |  V-card |  Linkedin | Download Bio

Practice Areas
  • Litigation
  • Business Law
  • HOA & Condo Associations
Education
  • University of Illinois College of Law (J.D., 1988)
  • University of the South, Sewanee, Tennessee (B.A., 1984)
Admissions
  • 1988 State of Illinois
  • 1989 U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
  • 1992 U.S. Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit
  • 1994 Trial Bar U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
  • 2022 U.S. District Court of the Central District of Illinois

When complex problems arise, both companies and individuals come to Ron for strategic, experienced, and effective legal counseling and representation. Whether it is a contract dispute, a contentious partnership breakup, or a high-stakes injunction, Ron is the go-to advocate for individuals, businesses, and associations facing litigation or seeking to reverse or uphold trial court outcomes.

With over two decades of experience representing condominium and townhome associations, Ron is a trusted legal advisor throughout every phase of association living—from formation to governance to daily operations. His practical counsel and deep understanding of association law have made him a long-standing asset to associations across Illinois.

Ron’s practice focuses on civil appeals, commercial litigation, and chancery matters. He represents a broad range of clients, including business owners, banks, corporate fiduciaries, and individuals involved in guardianship and probate proceedings. His commercial litigation experience is extensive and includes contract disputes, ERISA, labor law, bankruptcy, attorney malpractice defense, zoning issues, and more.

While Ron believes litigation is often a last resort, he is a zealous advocate when it becomes necessary—balancing aggressive representation with strategic nuance. In fact, in his role as an appellate lawyer, he has successfully argued before the Illinois Appellate Courts and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit.

Respected by the bench and bar, Ron was appointed by the Illinois Supreme Court to its Committee on Character and Fitness for the Second Judicial District—serving for eight years. In 2018, he was appointed by Judge Wheaton of the 18th Judicial Circuit as the Trustee-In-Dissolution of the Highland Hill Sanitary District, overseeing its successful dissolution in 2019. He is regularly asked to speak to groups on a wide range of topics, including legal ethics, civil appeals, and commercial litigation. Ron also regularly pens articles for the Illinois State Bar Association and the DuPage County Bar Association.

Residing in Wheaton, Illinois for over twenty-five years,  Ron is deeply engaged in his community. He’s been a member of the Milton Township Citizens Emergency Response Team since its launch in 2004, and has also served on the Parish Pastoral Council at St. Michael’s Church, volunteered as an Assistant Scoutmaster, and coached youth volleyball.

  • Sea-Land Services, Inc. v. Pepper Source, 993 F.2d 1309 (7th 1992)
  • Kimber v. Warrenville, 248 Ill.App.3d 361 (2nd 1993), appeal denied, 153 Ill.2d 560
  • In re Marriage of Sloane, 255 Ill.App.3d 653 (2nd 1994), appeal denied, 156 Ill.2d 566, Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, August 4, 1994
  • Johnson v. DuPage Airport Authority, 268 Ill.App.3d 409 (2nd 1994)
  • In re Estate of Forrest, 302 Ill.App.3d 1021 (3rd 1999), appeal denied, 184 Ill.2d 557
  • Rodin v. Industrial Commission, 316 Ill.App.3d 1224 (1st 2000)
  • Jenkins v. Concorde Acceptance Corp., 345 Ill.App.3d 669 (1st 2003)
  • King v. First Capital Financial Services Corp., 215 Ill.2d 1 (2005)
  • Economy Folding Box Corp. v. Anchor Frozen Foods Corp., 515 F.3d 718 (7th 2008)
  • Regnery v. Wallerich, 626 F.Supp.2d 872 (N.D. Ill. 2009)
  • In re Estate of Henry, 396 Ill.App.3d 88 (1st 2009); Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, December 9, 2009
  • Palmer v Southwest Airlines, Co., 2009 WL 3462043 (N.D. Ill. October 23, 2009)
  • MacNeil v. Trambert, 401 Ill.App.3d 1077 (2nd 2010)
  • In re Tribune Co. Fraudulent Conveyance Litig., 831 F.Supp.2d 1371 (S.D. N.Y. 2011)
  • Sykes v. Cook County Probate, 837 F.3d 736 (7th 2016)
  • Miller v. Lawrence, 2016 IL App (1st) 142051
  • Beck v. DayOne Pact, 2023 IL App (1st) 221120

Illinois Supreme Court Appointments:

  • Committee on Character and Fitness (Second District) (2015-2023)

Circuit Court Appointments:

  • Trustee in Dissolution of the Highland Hills Sanitary District (18th  Judicial Circuit) (2018-2019)
  • 18th Judicial District Arts Commission – Member (2018-21024)

Board Service and Bar Memberships

  • Illinois Appellate Lawyers Association – Board Member (2nd  Appellate District) (2018-2020 and 2022-2024)); Special Committee on E-Filing; Co Chair Rules Committee; Co-Chair AI Committee (2022-2025)
  • Illinois State Bar Association – Member Civil Practice and Procedure Section Council (2012-2025); Secretary, Vice-Chair, Chair; Rules Subcommittee; Efiling Special Subcommittee; 2019 Allerton Chair; 2021 Allerton Chair; 2023 Allerton Chair
  • Illinois State Bar Association – Member Standing Committee on Artificial Intelligence & the Practice of Law (2023-2025)
  • Illinois State Bar Association – Member Real Estate Law Section Council (2024-2025)
  • Illinois State Bar Association – Member Ad Hoc Committee on Artificial Intelligence (2023)
  • Illinois State Bar Association – Member Lawyers Feeding Illinois Steering Committee (2012-2013)
  • Illinois State Bar Association – Elected Assembly Member (2010-2016; and 2025-2028)
  • DuPage County Bar Association – Third Vice President (2025-2026)
  • DuPage County Bar Association – Chair AI Committee (2023-2025)
  • DuPage County Bar Association – Director (2020-2025)
  • DuPage County Bar Association – Board of Directors Award (2017)
  • DuPage County Bar Association – Vice-Chair, Chair Alternative Dispute Resolution Section (2017-2019)
  • DuPage County Bar Association – Vice-Chair, Chair Alternative Fee Dispute Resolution Program (2017-2019)
  • DuPage County Bar Association – Vice-Chair, Chair Appellate Law and Practice Committee (2010-2012; and 2015-2017)
  • DuPage County Bar Foundation – Director; President Elect, President (2016-2021)

Awards & Achievements

  • Illinois Leading Lawyers (2024-2025)
  • Illinois Best Lawyer (2025)
  • Illinois Super Lawyer (2022 – 2025)
  • Search and Seizure / Right to Privacy / Plain View Doctrine, 75 Ill. Bar J. 690 (1987)
  • Follow the Money: The Partial Payment Doctrine and Unwritten Contracts, 20 D.C.B.A. Brief 8 (2008), cited in Delgado v. Capital Mgmt. Servs. LP, 2013 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 40796, * 13 (C.D. Ill. Mar. 22, 2013)
  • Appellate Law Sidebar, DuPage County Bar Association Brief (2010-2011)
  • Perception vs. Reality: Money in judicial elections, 41 Bench & Bar, No. 4 (ISBA March 2011)
  • “Strive Mightily”: Some Thoughts on Civility & the Illinois Bar, 43 Bench & Bar, No. 9 (ISBA May 2013)
  • First District requires two years of continuous employment to enforce employee covenants not to compete: Fifield v. Premier Dealer Services, Inc., 2013 IL App (1st) 120327, 59 Trial Briefs, No. 2 (ISBA August 2013)
  • Pennsylvania Judge Takes A Bold Stand Against Unprofessional Conduct, 46 Bench & Bar, No. 2 (ISBA September 2015); 61 Trial Briefs, No. 3 (ISBA October 2015)
  • Appellate Court Clarifies How to Properly Complete a Summons, 61 Trial Briefs, No. 5 (ISBA December 2015)
  • Motions for Summary Affirmance in the Seventh Circuit, DCBA Brief, Vol. 26, issue 2 (October 2016)
  • Chicken Dinner Warrants Recusal? Not So Fast! – 50 Bench & Bar, No. 6 (ISBA March 2020); 66 Trial Briefs, No. 5 (ISBA March 2020); 63 Commercial Banking, Collections and Bankruptcy, No. 3 (ISBA April 2020)
  • Quoted in Know Thy Witness, 109 IBJ No. 2 (ISBA February 2021)
  • Ethical Practices in the Email Age: Courtesy Copy Emails to Judges, 51 Bench & Bar, No. 7 (ISBA May 2021); 67 Trial Briefs, No. 9 (ISBA May 2021; 109 IBJ No. 6 (ISBA June 2021)
  • Ethical Practices in the Email Age: Rule of Professional Conduct 4.2 and ‘Reply All’ Emails, 52 Bench & Bar, No. 2 (ISBA September 2021); 68 Trial Briefs, No. 3 (ISBA November 2021); 27 Elder Law, No. 4 (ISBA January 2022)
  • ISBA Allerton Conference 2023 – Technology and the Courts: Transforming the Delivery of Justice, 69 Trial Briefs, No. 7 (ISBA April 2023)
  • The Death of the Best Evidence Rule, 70 Trial Briefs, No. 7 (ISBA May 2024)
  • Ethical Practices in the Email Age Washington State Judge Bans AI Enhanced Video Evidence, 70 Trial Briefs, No. 8 (ISBA June 2024)
  • Two Wrongs Do Not Make a Right: Illinois Adopts the ‘Partial Breach’ Doctrine, 70 Trial Briefs, No. 8 (ISBA June 2024)

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