Judge Ralph E. Meczyk

13th Judicial Sub Circuit Betar Vacancy

PROFILE:

I was appointed by the Illinois Supreme Court to serve as a judge of the Cook County Circuit in February 2024.  I am currently assigned to the Traffic Division.  Prior to becoming a judge, my legal career includes forty-five years of vast civil and criminal trial and appellate court experience. I have tried well over 1,000 cases, of which close to 130 jury trials went to verdict in state and federal jurisdictions throughout the United States, as well as hundreds of bench trials and contested motions. I have also briefed and argued numerous appeals, including Illinois v. Cabellas, a significant search and seizure case that I argued before the U. S. Supreme Court. In addition, I have argued cases before the Supreme Court of Illinois and the Supreme Court of Kentucky. When the death penalty was in still in effect, I was selected by the Illinois Supreme Court to act as first chair at trial. I am a member of the Federal Defender Program, through which I am appointed by federal court judges to handle cases for indigent defendants at the trial and appellate level. I have been recognized as a Leading Lawyer in Illinois, which consists of the top 5% of Illinois lawyers as selected by my peers.  Transcripts of my cross examination of witnesses have been used in law schools to teach trial advocacy and recently for continuing education of judges in Illinois.  

EDUCATION:

J.D.  Chicago Kent College of Law (1977)

B.A.  Loyola University, Chicago (1973)

Graduated Niles North High School 

PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND:

Ralph E. Meczyk and Associates.  Attorney in private litigation practice, 

concentrated in white collar criminal defense, major felonies and 

criminal appeals, state and federal.        1982 – present

Illinois Supreme Court.  Capital Litigation Trial bar (First Chair) for

Death Penalty Cases.  2002

U.S. Federal Defender’s Office – Northern District of Illinois  

Panel Member.  Appointed to cases and trial counsel by U.S. District Court  1986 

Cook County Assistant Public Defender.      1977 – 1982

Illinois Army National Guard,  Spec 4    1970 -1976

Honorably discharged

BAR ADMISSIONS:

Admitted to the Illinois Bar, 1977

U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, 1982

Admitted to the Illinois Capital Litigation Trial Bar (1st Chair), 2002

Federal Trial Bar, 1983

Admitted to U.S. Court of Appeals, 7th Circuit, briefed and argued.

United States Supreme Court, 2004 (briefed and argued Illinois v. Cabellas)

Admitted to U.S. Court of Appeals for the following Circuits: 11th, 9th, 8th, 7th, 6th (Argued numerous times).

COMMUNITY AND PROFESSIONAL SERVICE:

Leading Lawyers Network

Pro Bono Attorney – appointed by Federal Judge Wood

American Bar Association – Section on Litigation

Chicago Bar Association – Criminal Law Committee, Co-Chair 2012

Lecturer, Chicago Bar Association, Killer Cross Examination

Lecturer: Chicago Bar Association, Search and Seizure Seminar

Search and Seizure Illinois Supreme Court – Capital Litigation Bar

Lecturer, Trial Advocacy Seminar, Chicago Kent School of Law

National Association Criminal Defense Lawyers

Federal Bar Association

Moot Court Judge and Coach –Chicago Kent School of Law

Legal Lectures for Chicago Bar Association

Hoopseton Youth Sports (2012-2016)

ITT- Chicago Kent College of Law – Leadership Gift Fellowship Endowment Fund

ITT – Chicago Kent College of Law – Committee Co-Chair, Fundraising from Alumni

IIT Kent College of Law - I have begun to mentor three second year law students assigned to me by the school.  The program is called Legal Externship Program for which they receive credit toward their J.D.  Done at request of ITT 

Chicago Mitzvah Campaign

Annual Sponsor Summer Camp Program

Friends of Refugees Europe (FREE)

Chicago Bar Foundation, Committee Member

Annual Contributor, Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund

AWARDS AND HONORS:

Leading Lawyers Network – selected by peers in Criminal Appellate Law, Criminal Defense Law: Felonies and Misdemeanors and Criminal Defense Law: White Collar

MILITARY

Illinois Army National Guard, 1970-1976, Spec.4, Honorable discharge

PERSONAL:

Married, father of two and grandfather of two