Donald J. Ramsell

Donald J. Ramsell is a nationally respected criminal defense attorney and managing partner known for shaping DUI law in Illinois. His practice focuses on complex criminal litigation, particularly alcohol and drug-related offenses, where meticulous analysis and constitutional advocacy drive outcomes for clients facing serious allegations.

Donald earned a Juris Doctor from DePaul University College of Law in 1984 after completing a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice at Loyola University in 1981. This academic foundation built technical command of evidence, procedure, and forensic science essential to sophisticated criminal defense work.

Throughout his career, Donald has advanced the reliability standards governing DUI evidence through appellate advocacy and courtroom litigation. He argued a DUI case before the United States Supreme Court and led statewide challenges to breath testing protocols, influencing judicial scrutiny, prosecutorial practices, and enforcement procedures.

Donald’s practice encompasses DUI defense, traffic-related criminal charges, and broader criminal matters requiring scientific and procedural analysis. By examining field sobriety testing, chemical testing, and officer compliance, he consistently develops targeted strategies that protect due process rights and challenge unreliable evidence at every litigation stage.

Recognized repeatedly by leading legal publications and professional organizations, Donald has earned long-standing peer recognition for excellence in DUI defense. Board certification and sustained honors reflect adherence to high standards, continuing education, and leadership within a specialized area of criminal practice focused on evidence-based advocacy nationwide.

As managing partner, Donald J. Ramsell guides a team dedicated to strategic defense across Illinois courts. The firm’s approach emphasizes preparedness, ethical advocacy, and client-focused service, ensuring that each matter receives careful evaluation, responsive counsel, and a defense tailored to the facts, governing law, and procedural standards.

Law Office Affiliations

• Managing Partner, Ramsell & Kunowski, L.L.C.
• President, DuPage County Bar Association
• State Delegate, National College for DUI Defense
• President, DuPage County Bar Foundation
• President, DuPage County Criminal Defense Lawyers Association
• Member, Illinois State Bar Association
• Member, Wisconsin State Bar
• Member, Kane County Bar Association
• Member, Northwest Suburban Bar Association
• Member, Association of Trial Lawyers of America
• Member, Illinois Trial Lawyers Association
• Member, American Bar Association

Licensed State

• Illinois
• Wisconsin

Education

• DePaul University
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• Loyola University
  BS in Criminal Justice

Awards & Badges