Ronette Leal McCarthy
Partner
Chicago Office
140 S. Dearborn Street, 6th Floor
Chicago, IL 60603
Direct Phone: 312.604.9196
Fax: 312.782.0943
Email: rmccarthy@ancelglink.com
M.Ed., University of Illinois Chicago (1999)
North Park University, Chicago, Elementary Education Certificate (1995)
B.A., University of Illinois (1993)
Drawing on a career spanning education, local government, business, and real estate, Ronette provides practical, collaborative counsel to public and private clients navigating complex legal, governance, and strategic challenges.
Known for her practical, solution-oriented approach, Ronette believes effective legal counsel goes beyond identifying risks. She works closely with clients to understand their goals, navigate complex legal issues, and develop strategies that achieve meaningful results.
Ronette’s practice concentrates on school law, local government law, business and corporate counsel, and real estate law. She represents school districts, municipalities, libraries, park districts, public safety agencies, businesses, developers, and other organizations throughout Illinois, advising clients on governance, compliance, contracts, policy development, business operations, real estate transactions, land use, economic development, and strategic planning.
Before entering private practice, Ronette began her career as a third-grade teacher with Chicago Public Schools and later served as a Reading Specialist with Evergreen Park School District 124. She later worked with the Governor’s Office of Education on revisions to the Illinois School Code, gaining firsthand experience in legislative development, education policy, and school governance. After entering private practice, she represented families of children with disabilities throughout every stage of the special education process, from birth through the transition to adulthood. These experiences continue to shape Ronette’s practical approach to advising school districts and other public entities.
Ronette also represents buyers, sellers, investors, developers, and business owners in residential and commercial real estate matters throughout Illinois. She advises clients on contracts, land use, development, business acquisitions, strategic planning, and governance matters.
Above all, Ronette believes successful legal representation begins with listening. She is committed to providing responsive counsel and practical solutions that help clients confidently navigate legal challenges and strengthen the communities they serve.
Awards/Professional Recognitions/Memberships
Outside of her legal practice, Ronette is an active community leader. She has served two terms as Co-President of the Palos Park Woman’s Club and serves on the Boards of Directors for the McCord Art Gallery & Cultural Center and Bryan’s Memory Foundation, organizations dedicated to strengthening education, the arts, first responders, and communities throughout Illinois.
Hobbies
Ronette enjoys spending time in her hosta garden and has embraced her husband’s passion for anything with two wheels, accepting that motorcycles have a way of multiplying in the garage when she’s not looking. She also enjoys beating her son, Emmet, at Wordle while admiring his talent for mastering Worldle, Flagle, and nearly every geography and language game imaginable. Whether it’s cheering on Mary Margaret at volleyball and flag football games or reminiscing about years spent at Irish dance competitions, Ronette treasures every opportunity to spend time with her family.