Asbestos Litigation

Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP is a nationally recognized trial firm, with decades of experience in representing clients in asbestos litigation. Attorneys with the firm have successfully tried asbestos cases to verdict in jurisdictions throughout the United States, including in some of the most challenging forums for asbestos defendants, such as California, Illinois, Maryland, Florida, Georgia, West Virginia, Ohio and Pennsylvania.

Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP serves in the role of national coordinating counsel, national or regional trial counsel, discovery counsel and national expertise counsel. The firm also serves as local counsel in Illinois, Indiana, Missouri and Wisconsin for many clients. Many Fortune 500 companies look to Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP’s asbestos expertise to manage and control the particularly catastrophic risks of asbestos litigation.

The firm maintains an extensive library of materials developed and collected in the course of more than twenty years of asbestos litigation, including expert deposition and trial testimony, medical and scientific articles, regulatory information, briefs and motions on key asbestos issues. Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP attorneys frequently lecture at national conferences and author articles on asbestos defense strategy and litigation management.

Firm attorneys have performed a variety of functions for their clients to help them manage and defend their asbestos litigation, including:

 

• Preparation and coordination of discovery responses and document production
• Location, selection and training of local counsel
• Development, preparation and presentation of all corporate witnesses at deposition and trial
• Development and presentation of defense experts at deposition and trial
• Research, preparation for and cross-examination of plaintiffs’ local and national experts at deposition and trial
• Coordination of product testing or survey of premises
• Lead trial counsel in cases throughout the United States
• Evaluation of litigation exposure

Firm attorneys have developed an extensive network of contacts with other asbestos defense attorneys throughout the country, enabling firm attorneys to stay abreast of all new developments in litigation. Also, Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP lawyers enjoy long-time professional relationships with many of the most prominent expert witnesses in asbestos litigation. Many firms, without the same experience and commitment to the litigation, are unable to obtain the service of key local counsel and expert consultants.

Firm attorneys have defended cases involving a wide variety of products, including: gaskets, packing, pumps, valves, brakes, clutches, cranes, fire trucks, tractors, industrial equipment and machinery, automobiles, aircraft, flooring, roofing, siding, joint compounds and plasters, furnaces, boilers, water heaters, large appliances, small appliances, wire and cable, electronics and consumer products.

In addition, firm attorneys have represented a number of premises defendants including owners of power plants, refineries and a variety of manufacturing facilities. Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP successfully defended the first case to go to trial against a premises owner in Cook County, Illinois in 2004.

 

Attorneys

News

Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Co-Sponsors Perrin Conferences' Cook County Asbestos and Talc Litigation Conferences (Apr. 14, 2025)
Drumke to Speak at the 2025 ABA Motor Vehicle Product Liability Litigation Conference (Mar. 11, 2025)
California Jury Returns Defense Verdict for Automobile Company in Asbestos Trial (Feb. 24, 2025)
Swanson, Martin, & Bell, LLP Sponsors 2024 DRI Asbestos Medicine Seminar (Nov. 06, 2024)
Rogers to Speak at CBA 2024 High Stakes Tort Litigation Virtual Program (Oct. 07, 2024)
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Welcomes Two Associates (Jul. 24, 2024)
Doeringer to Speak at Perrin's Second Annual Talc Litigation Conference (May. 02, 2024)
Drumke to Participate in Trial Masters Panel at 2024 ABA TIPS Section Conference (Apr. 10, 2024)
Arranz to Speak at Perrin Conferences' Asbestos Litigation Conference (Feb. 15, 2024)
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Names Three New Partners (Dec. 27, 2023)
Drumke Named ABA/TIPS James K. Carroll Leadership Award Recipient (Oct. 02, 2023)
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Welcomes New Associate (Sep. 07, 2023)
Two Associates Join Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP (Aug. 28, 2023)
Arranz to Speak at Perrin Conferences' National Asbestos Litigation Conference (Jul. 18, 2023)
Harris, Napoleon & Rogers Participate in American College of Trial Lawyers' 2023 Diversity & Corporate Trial Advocacy Program (Apr. 27, 2023)
Four Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Associates Named Partner (Jan. 05, 2022)
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Welcomes Lateral Associate, New Law School Graduates (Dec. 09, 2021)
Rifkind, Sheean Named to Crain's Notable Gen X Leaders in Accounting, Consulting and Law List (Nov. 22, 2021)
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Welcomes Four Lateral Associates (Nov. 09, 2021)
Best Lawyers Names Mass Tort Litigation, Environmental, Product Liability Practices to Annual List (Nov. 04, 2021)
Benton Speaks at Perrin Conferences' National Asbestos Litigation Conference (Sep. 09, 2021)
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Attorneys Named to 2022 Best Lawyers, Ones to Watch Lists (Aug. 19, 2021)
Five Associates Join Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP (Aug. 10, 2021)
Arranz Offers Legal Update at Perrin Asbestos Conference (May. 04, 2021)
Drumke Speaks on Trial Masters Panel for ABA TIPS Conference (Apr. 27, 2021)
Monaco Speaks at CBA Seminar on Litigating During COVID-19 (Mar. 22, 2021)
Aslam Speaks at IDC Webinar on Trial Dockets and Settlement Conferences in Asbestos Litigation Hotspots (Feb. 23, 2021)
Illinois Super Lawyers Recognizes 25 Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Attorneys (Feb. 02, 2021)
Fourth Circuit Affirms Summary Judgment for Firm Client (Feb. 01, 2021)
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Attorneys Named Leading Lawyers, Emerging Lawyers for 2021 (Jan. 11, 2021)
Best Lawyers Names Mass Tort Litigation, Personal Injury, Product Liability Practices to Annual List (Nov. 05, 2020)
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Attorneys Named to 2021 Best Lawyers, Ones to Watch Lists (Aug. 20, 2020)
Three Associates Join Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP (Jul. 16, 2020)
Seven Associates Named Partner at Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP (Jan. 29, 2020)
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Supports King of Hearts Gala (Jan. 24, 2020)
Recent Law School Graduates Join Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP (Jan. 02, 2020)
Best Lawyers Names Mass Tort Litigation, Personal Injury, Product Liability Practices to Annual List (Nov. 01, 2019)
Alva Honored With Chicago-Kent's Outstanding Young Alumnus Award (Oct. 11, 2019)
Seven Lateral Associates Join Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP (Sep. 16, 2019)
Seven Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Attorneys Named to 2020 Best Lawyers List (Aug. 15, 2019)
Drumke Elected to ABA Board of Governors (Aug. 14, 2019)
Arranz Speaks at Perrin Asbestos Litigation Conference (Aug. 13, 2019)
Crain's Chicago Business Names Five Attorneys to Notable Gen X Leaders in Law list (May. 31, 2019)
Alva Speaks at ABA's Judicial Intern Opportunity Program Orientation (May. 29, 2019)
Drumke Profiled in ABA Journal "Meet The Candidates" Article (May. 14, 2019)
Drumke Presents with Trial Masters, Moderates Cannabis Law Session at ABA TIPS Conference (Apr. 18, 2019)
Lateral Partner Joins Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP's Medical Negligence and Healthcare Practice (Mar. 27, 2019)
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Names Six New Partners (Feb. 01, 2019)
Drumke Nominated to ABA Board of Governors (Jan. 29, 2019)
Drumke, Doeringer Present on Millennial Jurors at Colorado Conference (Dec. 06, 2018)
Report Names Illinois, Missouri Courts as "Judicial Hellholes" (Dec. 05, 2018)
Best Lawyers Names Mass Tort Litigation, Personal Injury, Product Liability Practices to Annual List (Nov. 01, 2018)
BTI Consulting Names Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP A Standout in Commercial Litigation (Oct. 19, 2018)
Vantine Honored as Law Firm Leader at 2018 Up & Coming Awards (Oct. 15, 2018)
Leading Lawyers Names Drumke, Schichtel, Rogers to Top 10 Lists (Aug. 31, 2018)
Five Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Attorneys Named to 2019 Best Lawyers List (Aug. 15, 2018)
Seven Lateral Associates Join Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP (Jun. 29, 2018)
Drumke Speaks on Personal Jurisdictional Challenges at ACI Asbestos Conference (May. 07, 2018)
Haddox, Gould Address Toxic Tort, Asbestos Cases at CBA Meeting (Apr. 20, 2018)
Drumke Speaks on Jury Selection at ABA TIPS Conference (Mar. 23, 2018)
Lateral Associates, Law School Graduates Join Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP (Feb. 05, 2018)
Drumke Speaks at Perrin Asbestos Litigation Conference (Jan. 31, 2018)
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Names Four New Partners (Jan. 05, 2018)
Drumke, Doeringer Present on Talc Litigation at Colorado Conference (Dec. 04, 2017)
Best Lawyers Recognizes Mass Tort Litigation, Personal Injury, Product Liability Practices (Nov. 01, 2017)
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Opens Indiana Office (Oct. 06, 2017)
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Celebrates 25th Anniversary, Continued Growth (Oct. 02, 2017)
Arranz Speaks at National Asbestos Litigation Conference (Sep. 26, 2017)
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Attorneys Named to 2018 Best Lawyers List (Aug. 23, 2017)
Three Associates Join Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP (Jul. 25, 2017)
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Grows St. Louis, Madison County Offices With Lateral Additions (Jun. 06, 2017)
Law360 Highlights ABA Panel on Millennial Jurors (Apr. 28, 2017)
Drumke, Kilpatrick Talk Communication with Millennial Jurors at ABA TIPS Conference (Apr. 17, 2017)
Ferguson Addresses Mass Toxic Tort Case Investigations in IDC Presentation (Mar. 03, 2017)
O'Sullivan Named to BTI Client Service All-Star Attorneys List (Feb. 07, 2017)
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Names Three New Partners (Jan. 05, 2017)
Report Names Illinois, Missouri Courts as “Judicial Hellholes” (Jan. 04, 2017)
Lateral Associate, Four New Attorneys Join Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP (Dec. 09, 2016)
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Attorneys Named to Best Lawyers List (Aug. 15, 2016)
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Welcomes Four Lateral Attorneys (Jul. 27, 2016)
Drumke, Kilpatrick Discuss How to Communicate with Millennial Jurors (May. 17, 2016)
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Names New Partners (Jan. 12, 2016)
Lateral Associates, Law School Grads Join Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP (Dec. 17, 2015)
Law Bulletin Photos Highlight Drumke, TIPS' Awards Reception (Aug. 24, 2015)
Three Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Attorneys Named to Best Lawyers (Aug. 17, 2015)
Associate General Counsel, Lateral Associates Join Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP (Jul. 30, 2015)
Drumke Caps TIPS Chairmanship With ABA Annual Conference, Awards Ceremonies (Jul. 23, 2015)
Wahl Elected to IDC Board of Directors (Jun. 02, 2015)
ABA TIPS Chair Drumke Offers "View From the Chair" (May. 18, 2015)
ABA Introduces Section Officers Conference Chair-Elect Drumke in Publication (May. 04, 2015)
Drumke Named Chair-Elect of ABA Section Officers Conference (Feb. 26, 2015)
Drumke Shares "View from The Chair" in ABA Publication (Feb. 20, 2015)
Legal Talk Network Interviews Drumke at ABA Midyear Meeting (Feb. 18, 2015)
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Names New Partners (Jan. 15, 2015)
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP's Indiana Practice, New Attorneys Highlighted in Chicago Daily Law Bulletin Article (Oct. 28, 2014)
Drumke Offers "View From The Chair" in ABA Publication (Oct. 20, 2014)
Drumke Tells TortSource About "When I Was a Young Lawyer" (Oct. 09, 2014)
Chicago Daily Law Bulletin Highlights Merger with Kernell Law Firm (Sep. 24, 2014)
Kernell Law Firm Attorneys Join Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP, SMB Opens St. Louis and Madison County Offices (Sep. 23, 2014)
Three Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Attorneys Named to Best Lawyers (Aug. 21, 2014)
Wahl Receives Rising Star Award at IDC Awards Reception (Jun. 17, 2014)
Lateral Associates, New Grad Join Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP (Jun. 04, 2014)
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Names New Equity, Non-Equity Partners (Jan. 13, 2014)
Drumke Speaks at DRI Asbestos Medicine Seminar (Oct. 30, 2013)
Seven Lateral Attorneys Join Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP (Jul. 09, 2013)
Drumke Presents at Forum on Asbestos Claims & Litigation (Apr. 03, 2013)
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Welcomes Three New Associates (Nov. 26, 2012)
Product Liability Law360 Profiles Drumke (Mar. 20, 2012)
Toxic Tort Team, Former Patent Examiner Join Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP (Mar. 19, 2012)
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Names New Partners (Jan. 23, 2012)
Fitzpatrick Gives Purdue Students Tips for Building a Career (Feb. 04, 2011)
Byrne Successfully Defends Living Mesothelioma Asbestos Case in Cuyahoga County, Ohio (Nov. 19, 2008)