Michael A. McCaskey

Biography

Mike is an accomplished litigator practicing in federal and state courts throughout the country. He has extensive experience in the area of product liability litigation with a focus on catastrophic injury, class actions, and complex commercial disputes. His trial experience includes some of the most challenging jurisdictions in the country. Mike also counsels clients regarding internal and governmental defect investigations, product recalls, compliance with regulatory standards, warnings and manuals, and emerging issues with connected and autonomous vehicles. Mike serves as the Chairman of the Product Liability Practice Group at Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP.

In 2019, Mike obtained a defense verdict for a product manufacturer in month-long Cook County jury trial; the plaintiff asked the jury for $248 million, including punitive damages. Various publications wrote about this result, including Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, Law360 and Cook County Record. Also in 2019, Mike obtained a $1.5 million verdict for a construction company, and defeated a $3.9 million counterclaim following a weeklong arbitration before the American Arbitration Association tribunal. In 2020, Mike obtained a seven-figure resolution on behalf of a manufacturer against various suppliers following litigation in the District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.Mike’s excellence has been recognized by others. In 2017, Mike was selected by the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin as one of Illinois’ “Forty Under 40 Attorneys to Watch,” honoring attorneys age 40 and under who stand out as leaders in the legal profession. For seven straight years, Mike was named an Illinois Rising Star, an annual award given to less than five percent of Illinois attorneys (2011-2018). Mike has been selected as a speaker and author on topics related to strategies associated with complex litigation, discovery and trial techniques.

Mike is active in the leadership at Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP, serving on various practice group committees and firm leadership roles. Mike believes in giving back to the profession; he served as the firm liaison to the Chicago Bar Foundation’s Investing in Justice Campaign for two years, obtaining record contributions in each year. Mike also serves as an advising board member to the Chicago Lawyers Lend-A-Hand to Youth, an organization created by The Chicago Bar Association serving Chicago’s underprivileged children. Mike currently serves on the Board of Governors for the State Bar of Wisconsin, and is a board member to the State Bar of Wisconsin on behalf of the Nonresident Lawyer Division. He is also serving his second term as an appointed board member of the Defense Research Institute’s Product Liability Committee Automotive Product Liability Group.

Mike is admitted to practice in Illinois and Wisconsin. He also is admitted to practice before the United States District Courts for the Northern, Central and Southern Districts of Illinois and the Eastern and Western Districts of Wisconsin.

Practices

General Trial Practice
Product Liability
Class Action Defense
Construction
Commercial Litigation and Business Disputes
Real Estate Litigation and Transactional Services
Insurance

Memberships & Affiliations

  • Product Liability Advisory Council
  • Defense Research Institute
    • Vice Chairman, DRI Automotive Product Liability Committee (2018-2020)
    • Co-Chairman, DRI Strictly Automotive Seminar, Detroit, Michigan (2017)
    • Board Member, Young Lawyers Steering Committee (2015-2016)
  • Board of Governors, State Bar of Wisconsin (2018-2020)
  • Board of Directors, Wisconsin State Bar Nonresidents Lawyer Division (2015-2017; 2017-current)
  • American Bar Association
    • Tort, Trial & Insurance Practice (2005-current)
  • Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP
    • Chairman of the Product Liability Practice Group (2020-current)
    • Chairman of the Recruitment Committee (2019-2021)

Awards

  • Selected for inclusion in Illinois Super Lawyers in 2024
  • Trial Lawyer Excellence Award from The Jury Verdict Reporter, "Outstanding Defense Verdict in a Product Liability Case," 2022
  • Named one of "40 Illinois Attorneys Under 40 to Watch" in Law Bulletin Media's Annual Survey, 2017
  • Selected for inclusion in Illinois Super Lawyers - Rising Stars Edition in 2011-2018
  • Best Product Liability Practice - Illinois, Corporate America LegalElite, 2015
  • Leading Lawyers Peer Selected, 2018-2021
  • 2023 Illinois Leading Lawyers, Commercial Litigation

Publications

  • “Exhuming the Deceased and Advanced Investigative Techniques for Millennials,” DRI Strictly Automotive Seminar, Detroit, Michigan, June 2017, Michael A. McCaskey, Tara Ruhparwar, Esq., Sridhar Natarajan, M.D.
  • "Investigative Techniques Using Advanced Technology," For the Defense, December 2016, Michael A. McCaskey, William McDonald, Esq. Charles Smith, Esq.
  • "The Widespread Impact of the FCC's 2014 Ruling Relating to Fax Advertising," DRI Commercial Litigation Newsletter, May 2015, Julie D. Miller, Joseph P. Kincaid, Michael A. McCaskey.
  • 7th Circuit Product Liability Case Law Update, DRI Product Liability Conference, Las Vegas, Nevada, February 2015
  • 8th Circuit Product Liability Case Law Update, DRI Product Liability Conference, Washington, D.C., April 2013
  • 7th Circuit Product Liability Case Law Update, DRI Product Liability Conference, Las Vegas, Nevada, April 2010
  • “Terrorism: $25 Million Judgment Against Iran,” The Globe, newsletter of the Illinois State Bar Association Section on International and Immigration Law, March 2003

Presentations

  • “Advanced Driver Assistance Systems,” Company Presentation, Novi, Michigan, August 2022
  • “A Litigation Perspective to Risk Control,” Company Presentation, Rolling Meadows, Illinois, August 2022
  • "Lessons from Trial: Trying a $250 Million Product Liability Case in Cook County," DRI Product Liability Conference, 2021
  • Vice Chair, Automotive Specialized Litigation Group, DRI Product Liability Conference, 2020
  • “Effective Use of Lifecare Plans by the Defense,” February 2020
  • Program Co-Vice Chair, DRI Strictly Automotive Conference, 2019
  • "Cybersecurity Vulnerabilities for the Self-Driving Car: Vehicle-to-Vehicle Interconnectivity and Associated Risks," ACI's Automotive Product Liability Litigation Conference, July 2018
  • “Exhuming the Deceased and Advanced Investigative Techniques for Millennials,” DRI Strictly Automotive Seminar, Detroit, Michigan, June 2017
  • "CSI and the Use of Forensic Evidence in Defending Civil Litigation," Kentucky Defense Counsel Spring Seminar, Louisville, Kentucky, March 2017
  • "Investigative Techniques Using Advanced Technology and Social Media Law Update," Kentucky Defense Counsel Spring Seminar, Louisville, Kentucky, March 2017
  • "CSI: Forensic Evidence in Product Liability Cases and Trials," DRI Product Liability Conference, Las Vegas, Nevada, February 2015
  • “Winning Over the Jury: Strategies for Overcoming the Hurdles Inherent in Defending Automotive Product Liability Actions,” ACI Annual Automotive Product Liability Litigation Seminar, Chicago, Illinois, October 2009

News

Chicago, Libertyville, January 25, 2024
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Attorneys Named 2024 Illinois Super Lawyers & Rising Stars
Swanson Martin & Bell LLP is proud to announce that 15 of the firm's attorneys have been honored as 2024 Illinois Super Lawyers® and Rising Stars.

September 25, 2023
McCaskey, Barry and Burton Author Automatic Emergency Braking Article for the ABA
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP attorneys Michael A. McCaskey, Caitlin M. Barry, and 2023 Summer Associate Tripp Burton are featured on the cover of the Trial Tort and Insurance Practice Section (TIPS) Products Liability Committee Newsletter of the American Bar Association (ABA).

Chicago, September 05, 2023
McCaskey Serves as Mentor for Product Liability Advisory Council's 2023 Mock Trial Program
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Partner Mike McCaskey served as a mentor to future leaders for the Product Liability Advisory Council's (PLAC) mock trial program in Cleveland, Ohio.

August 24, 2023
McCaskey Speaks at 2023 DRI Strictly Automotive Seminar
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Partner Michael A. McCaskey presented "Defending Optional Equipment Decisions in Heavy Duty Trucks," at DRI's 2023 Strictly Automotive Seminar on August 18 in Washington, D.C.

October 28, 2022
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Attorneys Recognized in 11th Annual JVR Awards for Trial Lawyer Excellence
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP partners Anthony J. Monaco, Joseph P. Switzer, and Michael A. McCaskey received a 2022 Trial Lawyer Excellence Award from the Jury Verdict Reporter, a division of Law Bulletin Media, in recognition of their outstanding work on behalf of Swanson, Martin & Bell’s clients.

Chicago, September 3, 2021
Lothson Named to Law Bulletin Media's 40 Under Forty List
According to Lothson's profile, ""Andy has natural instincts beyond his years and is an exceptionally bright and creative attorney."

Chicago, August 16, 2021
Monaco, McCaskey Speak at DRI Product Liability Conference
Their presentation, "Lessons from Trial: Trying a $250 Million Product Liability Case in Cook County," focuses on a high-stakes defense trial verdict they received in July 2019.

Chicago, May 4, 2021
McCaskey Re-Elected to Non-Resident Lawyer Division Board of Directors for State Bar of Wisconsin
The Nonresident Lawyers Division helps nonresident members maintain their ties with Wisconsin.

Chicago, Lisle, Libertyville, Madison County, January 11, 2021
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Attorneys Named Leading Lawyers, Emerging Lawyers for 2021
Those designated Leading Lawyers were recommended by their peers to be among the top lawyers in Illinois.

Chicago, October 5, 2020
Ferrill Named to Law Bulletin Media's 40 Under 40
According to Ferrill's profile, "She will do whatever it takes, leave no stone unturned, until she can get her clients the right result."

Chicago, February 19, 2020
DRI's The Voice Highlights $1.5 Million Win in Construction Breach of Contract Case
The Voice, weekly publication of the Defense Research Institute, highlighted a recent Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP matter in its "And The Defense Wins" section.

Chicago, Lisle, Libertyville, Madison County, February 3, 2020
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Attorneys Named Leading Lawyers, Emerging Lawyers for 2020
Those designated Leading Lawyers were recommended by their peers to be among the top lawyers in Illinois.

Chicago, January 13, 2020
McCaskey, Clyder Serve as Faculty for DRI Product Liability Conference
Both McCaskey and Clyder have leadership roles with Product Liability specialized litigation groups.

Chicago, December 19, 2019
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Attorneys Win $1.5 Million in Construction Breach of Contract Case
Attorneys won a $1.5 million award and defeated a $3.9 million counterclaim following a week of oral hearings tried before the AAA Construction Industry Tribunal.

Chicago, September 25, 2019
Clyder Named to Law Bulletin Media's "40 Under Forty" List
According to Clyder's profile, he "has a superior command of the technical issues that often determine outcomes in product liability cases."

Chicago, September 3, 2019
McCaskey Serves as Program Co-Vice Chair at DRI Automotive Seminar
McCaskey's practice includes advising clients in product liability, construction, insurance, banking and commercial disputes and class action matters.

Chicago, July 17, 2019
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Attorneys Obtain Defense Verdict in High-Stakes Product Liability Case
The plaintiff asked the jury for between $38 million and $48 million in compensatory damages, and as much as $200 million in punitive damages for a total of over $248 million.

Chicago, July 15, 2019
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Sponsors State Bar of Wisconsin Baseball Outing
The gathering is hosted by the Illinois Chapter of the State Bar of Wisconsin Nonresident Lawyers Division.

Chicago, January 16, 2019
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Attorneys Named Leading Lawyers, Emerging Lawyers for 2019
Those designated Leading Lawyers were recommend by their peers to be among the top lawyers in Illinois.

Chicago, August 21, 2018
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Sponsors State Bar of Wisconsin Baseball Outing
The gathering is hosted by the Illinois Chapter of the State Bar of Wisconsin Nonresident Lawyers Division.

July 18, 2018
McCaskey Speaks on Cybersecurity Vulnerabilities for the Self-Driving Car
The presentation is part of ACI's Automotive Product Liability Litigation Conference in Chicago.

July 3, 2018
McCaskey Elected to Board of Governors for State Bar of Wisconsin
The Board of Governors manages and directs the affairs and activities of the State Bar of Wisconsin.

June 11, 2018
Haddox Named to Law Bulletin Media's "40 Under Forty" List
Haddox was recognized for his work in Contract Disputes, Construction Litigation and Product Liability matters.

January 26, 2018
Illinois Super Lawyers Recognizes 35 Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Attorneys
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP is proud to have 20 Super Lawyers and 14 Rising Stars among its attorneys.

January 23, 2018
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Attorneys Named Leading Lawyers, Emerging Lawyers for 2018
Those designated Leading Lawyers were recommend by their peers to be among the top lawyers in Illinois.

November 8, 2017
McCaskey Named to Law Bulletin's "40 Under Forty" List
According to "40 Under Forty," to be named to the list, honorees must have intelligence, passion, success in the office, a desire to help the community, and a willingness to work hard.

October 19, 2017
SMB Attorneys Win Partial Summary Judgment in TCPA Class Action Lawsuit
The decision is one of the only in the country in which a court enforced the retroactive FCC waiver as a matter of law to dispose of a plaintiff's TCPA claims based on improper opt-out notices.

August 16, 2017
McCaskey Moderates Panel at DRI Strictly Automotive Seminar
McCaskey lead will lead two panelists in a discussion on "Exhuming the Deceased and Advanced Investigative Techniques for Millennials."

March 29, 2017
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Supports Investing in Justice Campaign
For the second year in a row, all attorneys in the firm's Chicago, Lisle, Libertyville, Madison County and St. Louis offices donated to the campaign.

March 27, 2017
McCaskey Speaks at Kentucky Defense Counsel Spring Seminar
McCaskey spoke on "CSI and the Use of Forensic Evidence in Defending Civil Litigation" and "Investigative Techniques Using Advanced Technology and Social Media Law."

January 16, 2017
Illinois Super Lawyers Recognizes 38 Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Attorneys
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP announces that 38 of its attorneys have been selected for inclusion in the 2017 Illinois Super Lawyers and Rising Stars lists.

December 20, 2016
McCaskey Co-Authors DRI For the Defense Article
The article focuses on the use of internet and social media for researching and accessing information to be used in automotive litigation.

September 9, 2016
McCaskey Named DRI Automotive Product Liability Marketing Chair
McCaskey will serve in this role for a year.

May 5, 2016
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Attorneys Named to Leading Lawyers, Emerging Lawyers List
Thirty-six Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP attorneys were named Leading Lawyers or Emerging Lawyers.

April 15, 2016
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Supports Investing in Justice Campaign
For the first time in firm history, 100 percent of Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP attorneys donated to the campaign, including attorneys at the firm's St. Louis and Madison County offices.

January 13, 2016
Illinois Super Lawyers Recognizes 39 Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Attorneys
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP announces that 39 of its attorneys have been selected for inclusion in the 2015 Illinois Super Lawyers and Rising Stars lists.

August 4, 2015
McCaskey Named to DRI Young Lawyers Steering Committee
He will serve in the role for 2015-2016.

May 5, 2015
McCaskey Elected to State Bar of Wisconsin's Non-Resident Lawyer Division's Board of Directors for
The Nonresident Lawyers Division provides nonresident members opportunities for participation in the governance of the State Bar.

April 24, 2015
Miller, Kincaid and McCaskey Author DRI Commercial Litigation Article
The article discussed the impact of the FCC's 2014 ruling relating to fax advertising.

April 6, 2015
Recent Results Highlight Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP’s Growing Strength in Commercial Litigation and Intellectual Property
Long known for its depth in tort defense and trial experience, Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP’s success continues in other litigation areas.

February 9, 2015
McCaskey, Clyder Authors 7th Circuit Product Liability Case Law Update
The update was distributed at DRI's Product Liablity Conference in Las Vegas.

February 9, 2015
McCaskey Addresses Forensic Evidence in Product Liability Cases and Trials
McCaskey's presentation was part of DRI's annual Product Liability Conference in Las Vegas.

January 29, 2015
Bell, McCaskey Recognized in "Unique Verdicts of 2014" Publication
The case was tried in Cook County, Ill. in March 2014.

January 12, 2015
Illinois Super Lawyers Recognizes 39 Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Attorneys
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP announces that 39 of its attorneys have been selected for inclusion in the 2015 Illinois Super Lawyers and Rising Stars lists.

December 12, 2014
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Attorneys Obtain Retroactive FCC Waiver Leading to Dismissal of Class Action Lawsuit
The FCC granted a retroactive waiver regarding laws requiring opt-out notices on fax advertisements. The ruling led to the dismissal of a lawsuit, and a sweeping change to the law.

March 31, 2014
Bell, McCaskey Win Not Guilty Verdict in Cook County
The trial resulted in a defense verdict for Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP's client, an industrial lift manufacturer.

January 13, 2014
Illinois Super Lawyers Recognizes 39 Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Attorneys
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP announces that 39 of its attorneys have been selected for inclusion in the 2014 Illinois Super Lawyers and Rising Stars lists.

January 13, 2014
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Names New Equity, Non-Equity Partners
Two were elected equity partners and two were elected non-equity partners.

October 21, 2013
McCaskey Wins Second Consecutive Oyster-Slurping Contest
McCaskey once again won $1,000 for his efforts.

January 30, 2013
McCaskey, Clyder Author Eighth Circuit Product Liability Case Update
The update will be distributed with materials for the upcoming DRI Product Liability Conference outside Washington, D.C.

January 3, 2013
Illinois Super Lawyers Recognizes 39 Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Attorneys
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP announces that 39 of its attorneys have been selected for inclusion in the 2013 Illinois Super Lawyers and Rising Stars lists.

January 3, 2012
Illinois Super Lawyers Recognizes 34 Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Attorneys
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP announces that 23 of its attorneys were recognized as Illinois Super Lawyers, while 11 others were recognized as Rising Stars.

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