Construction

Construction


You design and build roads, homes, skyscrapers. You work with short deadlines and tight budgets. We understand. Our Construction and Design Practice Group represents owners, developers, general contractors, sub-contractors, architects, engineers, material suppliers and manufacturers, and title insurers in a wide variety of disputes and issues experienced in the construction industry. Our Construction and Design Law Group has both the knowledge and experience to construct efficient and effective cases before state and federal judges, juries, arbitrators and mediators.
 
Construction Claims: We defend and prosecute all types of claims on behalf of our construction industry clients including differing site conditions, warranties, changes, delay and acceleration claims, disruption and termination issues. We also represent clients on all types of payment and collection disputes in both the private and public sector, including claims under the Illinois Mechanics Lien Act, fixed-price and cost-plus contract disputes, and pay when/if paid issues.

Defective Specifications and Work: 
We represent architects and engineers charged with improper design specifications and defective work. Recently, we successfully defended a major design/builder charged with improperly designing and constructing the concrete floor and buried supports for a newspaper printing facility and an engineer in connection with a multi-million dollar property loss arising from the collapse of a floor designed and built more than 50 years ago.

Sick Building Cases/Indoor Air Quality/Building Material Claims: 
We have significant experience handling sick building cases ranging from toxic mold to improper asbestos abatement. Our attorneys have defended a primary EIFS manufacturer in the largest residential home case in the United States, an asbestos removal company charged with improper abatement from the Philadelphia Enquirer building, and a subcontractor charged with the improper installation of terrazzo floor leading to a multi-million dollar claim for removal and replacement.

Worker Injury Claims: 
The defense of personal injury claims is the hallmark of Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP. We are frequently retained by self-insured construction companies and insurers to defend the most significant injury and death claims arising from allegedly unsafe construction site practices. We work closely with corporate risk management personnel, claims analysts and expert witnesses in the defense of these claims.

Bid Protests/Minority, Women’s, and Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Issues: 
Federal and state projects in Illinois have complicated subcontractor listing and MBE/WBE/DBE compliance requirements. Our attorneys can advise you on a wide assortment of bid protests and award disputes, as well as issues concerning the lowest responsive and responsible bidder.

Insurance and Surety Disputes: 
We can advise you in the selection of appropriate insurance coverages, including the use of OCIPs and CCIPs, development of strategies in connection with the tender of claims, understanding additional insured endorsements in light of the always evolving Illinois case law on the subject, and resolving coverage disputes. We can also provide counsel on the law of suretyship and fidelity, including the resolution of payment and performance bond claims.

Whistleblower/Fraud Claims: 
False Claims Act, qui tam and other whistleblower actions are frightening to contractors. Our attorneys can navigate you through allegations of violations of the False Claims Act and other federal and state civil laws, including defense of qui tam cases.

Architectural Works Copyright Protection Act (AWCPA): 
The passage of the AWCPA in 1990 has resulted in increased litigation involving the infringement of architectural works. We can advise design professionals, builders and homeowners concerning their rights and duties with respect to copyright infringement actions.


News

February 12, 2024
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Exhibits at ASA Chicago's Annual Construction Expo & Safety Conference
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP is thrilled to exhibit at the 2024 Construction Expo & Safety Conference, co-hosted by ASA Chicago – Association of Subcontractors & Affiliates and the Construction Safety Council, on March 5 in Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois.

Chicago, Lisle, Libertyville, St. Louis, Madison County, August 17, 2023
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Attorneys Named to 2024 Best Lawyers, Ones to Watch Lists
Fifty-five Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP attorneys were named to the 2024 Best Lawyers in America® and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America™ lists.

Chicago, January 5, 2022
Four Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Associates Named Partner
Three practice in the Chicago office, while the fourth practices in the St. Louis office.

Chicago, St. Louis, November 9, 2021
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Welcomes Four Lateral Associates
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP announces that four attorneys have joined the firm as associates.

Chicago, March 24, 2021
Monaco Speaks at CBA Seminar on Litigating During COVID-19
Monaco will be among a panel of experienced litigators providing insight into how medical malpractice, work accident, and mass torts cases have been litigated in the age of COVID.

Chicago, February 2, 2021
Illinois Super Lawyers Recognizes 25 Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Attorneys
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP announces that 12 attorneys have been named n to the 2021 Illinois Super Lawyers list and 13 have been named to the Illinois Rising Stars list.

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, August 7, 2020
Rogers Writes Article in ABA Construction Law Newsletter on Force Majeure
The article is titled "COVID-19 as a Force Majeure. But What Is Force Majeure? My Contract Doesn't Even Use that Term!"


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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, January 29, 2020
Seven Associates Named Partner at Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP
Seven associates based in the Chicago office have been named partner.

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, December 16, 2019
Lateral Partner Joins Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP's Commercial Litigation Practice
Harkness focuses his practice on commercial litigation, manufacturing disputes, partnership and membership disputes, class action defense, intellectual property litigation, and real estate litigation.

Chicago, May 31, 2019
Crain's Chicago Business Names Five Attorneys to Notable Gen X Leaders in Law list
John P. Arranz, Patricia S. Kocour, A. Jay Koehler, Aiju C. Thevatheril and Catherine Basque Weiler were among 121 lawyers in Chicago listed.

Chicago, September 20, 2018
Haddox Profiled for Law Bulletin Media's "Forty Under 40" List
According to Haddox's profile, he "has earned a reputation as one of the top young product liability and construction litigation defense lawyers in the city."

Chicago, Lisle, June 29, 2018
Seven Lateral Associates Join Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP
Six join the firm's Chicago office, while one will practice the firm's Lisle office.

Chicago, 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.

Chicago, Indiana, October 6, 2017
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Opens Indiana Office
The trial firm, which celebrates 25 years in business in 2017, already boasts more than 130 attorneys between its downtown Chicago headquarters and its other offices in Illinois and Missouri.

Chicago, October 2, 2017
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Celebrates 25th Anniversary, Continued Growth
In recognition of its 25th anniversary year, Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP has made a monthly donation to a non-profit with whom the firm has a strong relationship.

Chicago, May 17, 2017
Kramer Authors Article for IDC Civil Practice Committee Newsletter
Kramer's article focused on "What is the Injury? An Examination of Standing in Data Breach Litigation."

Chicago, March 20, 2017
Law Bulletin Article Highlights Insurance Coverage Case
The article, "Insurer must defend for vicarious liability even though not alleged," was about the 1st District Appellate Court's decision "that an additional insured whose coverage encompassed only vicarious liability could be entitled to a defense by the additional insurer even though the underlying complaint alleged neither vicarious liability nor negligence by the named insured."

June 23, 2016
Four Lateral Associates Join Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP announces four lateral associates have joined the firm's Chicago office.

January 12, 2016
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Names New Partners
Clyder and Haddox practice in Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP’s Chicago office, while Henne practices in the firm’s Libertyville office.

December 17, 2015
Lateral Associates, Law School Grads Join Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP
The firm welcomes two lateral associates and two recent law school graduates to the firm's Chicago office.

July 30, 2015
Associate General Counsel, Lateral Associates Join Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP announces the arrival of a new partner and three lateral associates, including one to its Madison County, Ill. office.

January 15, 2015
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Names New Partners
Six associates were recently named partners, including one in St. Louis.

October 21, 2014
Lateral Partner, Four Lateral Associates Join Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP
All five attorneys practice in Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP's Chicago office.

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.

July 9, 2013
Seven Lateral Attorneys Join Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP
Four partners and three associates have recently joined the firm's Chicago office.

April 24, 2013
Pardys, Goles Present at Seminar for Local Government Officials
Pardys and Goles will address FOIA and The Gift Ban during their presentation.


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