Background
Demark, Ruth Elaine Van was born on May 16, 1944 in Santa Fe, N. Mexico. Daughter of Robert Eugene and Bertha Marie (Thompson) Van Demark.
Demark, Ruth Elaine Van was born on May 16, 1944 in Santa Fe, N. Mexico. Daughter of Robert Eugene and Bertha Marie (Thompson) Van Demark.
AB, Vassar College, 1966. Message Telecommunications Service, Harvard University, 1969. Juris Doctor with honors, University Connecticut, 1976.
Master of Divinity, Lutheran School Theology, Chicago, 1999.
Bar: Connecticut 1976, United States District.Ct. Connecticut 1976, Illinois 1977, United States District Court (northern district) Illinois 1977, Supreme Court of the United States Court 1983, United States Court Appeals (7th circuit) 1984. Instructor legal research and writing Loyola University School Law, Chicago, 1976-1979.
Associate Wildman, Harrold, Allen & Dixon, Chicago, 1977-1984, partner, 1985-1994.
Principal Law Offices of Ruth East. Van Demark, Chicago, 1995. Board directors, secretary Systat, Incorporated., Evanston, Illinois, 1984-1994.
Member Illinois Supreme Court Rules committee, 1996, chair appellate rules subcommittee, 1996. Member district court fund advisory com.U.S. District Court (northern district) Illinois, 1997.
Association editor Connecticut Law Review, 1975-1976.
Board directors Lutheran Society Services Illinois, since 1998, secretary, 2000-2002, chairman, since 2002. Member advisory board Horizon Hospice, Chicago, since 1978, Young Women’s Christian Association Battered Women's Shelter, Evanston, Illinois, 1982-1986. Delegate-at-large White House Conference on Families, Los Angeles, 1980.
Member alumni council Harvard Divinity School, 1988-1991. Volunteer attorney Pro Bono Advisers Chicago, 1982-1992, board directors, 1993-1999, chair development committee, 1993. Board directors Friends of Pro Bono Advisers Organization, 1987-1989, New Voice Productions, 1984-1986, Byrne Piven Theater Workshop, 1987-1990, Lutheran Social Services Illinois (secretary, since 2000), since 1998.
Founder, board directors Friends of Battered Women and Their Children, 1986-1987. Chair 175th Reunion Fund Harvard University Division School, 1992. Dean Central Conference Metropolitan Chicago Synod European Landscape Contractors Association.
Member American Bar Association, Illinois Bar Association, Connecticut Bar Association, Chicago Bar Association, Appellate Lawyers Association Illinois (board directors 1985-1987, treasurer 1989-1990, secretary 1990-1991, vice president 1991-1992, president 1992-1993), Women's Bar Association Illinois, Junior League Evanston (chair State Public Affairs Committee 1987-1988, Volunteer of Year 1983-1984), Chicago Vassar Club (president 1979-1981), Cosmopolitan Club (New York City).
Married Leland Wilkinson, June 23, 1967. Children: Anne Marie, Caroline Cook.