Richard J. Keating, Jr.

Biography

Richard J. Keating, Jr. is a partner at Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP. Rich represents national and international corporations in various types of tort liability litigation matters throughout the United States. His practice focuses on tort litigation, premises liability defense, general liability matters, criminal defense, incident investigations, security issues, and wage garnishment claims.

Rich represents restaurants, concert venues, amusement venues, health clubs and retail businesses. In addition, Rich represents several hospitals and healthcare entities. Prior to joining Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP, Rich was a criminal prosecutor for the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office for nine years. As an Assistant State’s Attorney, Rich tried 30 felony jury trials and hundreds of bench trials and dispositive motions. Rich also worked in an investigations unit where he supervised a team of attorneys investigating crimes in conjunction with police authorities. Prior to becoming an attorney, Rich spent four years in the corporate sector working at AT&T selling phone service to small businesses.

Practices

General Trial Practice
Commercial Litigation and Business Disputes
Appellate Practice
Medical Negligence and Healthcare
Pharmaceutical and Medical Device
Product Liability
Civil Rights and Governmental Liability
Entertainment and Media Law
Class Action Defense

Memberships & Affiliations

  • Academy of Hospitality Industry Attorneys (AHIA)
    •  President, 2019-2020
  • National Retail and Restaurant Defense Association (NRRDA)
  • DRI - Retail and Hospitality Defense Subsection
  • Illinois Restaurant Association
  • Marist Law Association
  • Celtic Legal Society
    • President, 2018-2019

Awards

  • Selected for inclusion in Illinois Super Lawyers in 2012-2019

Publications

  • "Managing Liability Issues at Your Hotel Bar & Restaurant," Hotel Business Review, December 2015

Presentations

  • Speaker, "The Impact of Human Trafficking on the Retail and Hospitality Industries," CLM Retail, Restaurant & Hospitality Conference, Grapevine, Texas, February 2019
  • Moderator, "You Agreed to What?" DRI Retail & Hospitality Litigation Seminar, Chicago, Illinois, May 2016
  • Speaker, “Medical Marijuana – One Year Later,” IREM Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, April 2016
  • Speaker, Criminal Counsel for Hospitality Employees,” AHIA Fall Meeting 2015, October 2015, Phoenix, Arizona
  • Speaker, "Medical Marijuana in Property Management," IREM Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, April 2015
  • Speaker, “The Power of Internal Audits,” IAAPA Conference 2013, November 2013, Orlando, Florida
  • Speaker, "Lawsuits Against Your Franchisee: Making Sure The Brand Is Protected," DRI Retail & Hospitality Seminar, May 17, 2013, Chicago, Illinois
  • Speaker, “You Want Me To Do What? A Panel Discussion Regarding Counsel Guidelines,” DRI Retail & Hospitality Seminar 2012, Chicago, Illinois
  • Speaker, “Tender of Defense Issues,” Texas Roadhouse Claims Training, May 2012, Louisville, Kentucky
  • Speaker, “Building the Security Force You Need,” AHIA Fall Meeting 2012, November 2012, Orlando, Florida
  • Speaker, “Strategies for Handling Third Party Criminal Acts,” IAAPA Conference 2012, November 2012, Orlando, Florida
  • Speaker, “When Hospitality Employees Need or are Entitled to Separate Representation for Criminal Allegations Stemming from Incidents at Work,” Tenth Annual 2012 Hospitality Law Conference, February 2012, Houston, Texas
  • Speaker, “Third Party Criminal Acts: Investigation and Defense Strategies to Protect Your Customers, Employees and Centers,” Brunswick Corporation, May 2011, Lake Forest, Illinois
  • Speaker, “Strategies and Tips to Avoid Nursing Liability Issues,” Saint Francis Hospital, January 6, 2011, Evanston, Illinois
  • Speaker, “Defending Against Murder & Mayhem”, AHIA Fall Meeting 2010, Las Vegas, Nevada
  • Speaker. “Anatomy of a Criminal Case: Where E/R Meets Law & Order,” Saint Francis Hospital Emergency Department, August 13, 2010, Evanston, Illinois
  • Speaker, “Third Party Criminal Acts: When Bad Things Happen at Good Places,” AHIA Fall Meeting 2009, Austin, Texas

News

November 13, 2023
Keating to Speak at 2023 DRI Retail and Hospitality Litigation Seminar
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Partner Richard J. Keating, Jr. will present at the 2023 DRI Retail and Hospitality Litigation Seminar on November 16 in Austin, Texas.

June 21, 2023
Keating, Hogan and Vantine to Speak in WTW Healthcare Risk Management Webinar
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP partners Richard J. Keating, Jr., Marcie J. Vantine, and Meg F. Hogan will speak at WTW's "Healthcare Risk Management Foundations Series: Elements of an Effective Fleet Management Plan" on June 22.

Chicago, April 21, 2021
Keating Moderates Panel at DRI Retail and Hospitality Seminar
Keating will moderate conversation among seasoned counsel discussing how in-house counsel and outside litigators can best adapt to defend claims on behind of minors in court and in the public arena.

Chicago, June 15, 2020
Keating Speaks at Virtual CLM Conference
Keating and two fellow panelists will present on "Work Comp? Premises Liability? You Can't Have It Both Ways."

Chicago, January 30, 2020
Illinois Super Lawyers Recognizes 25 Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Attorneys
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP announces that 12 attorneys were named to the 2020 Illinois Super Lawyers list and another 13 were named to the 2020 Illinois Rising Stars list.

Chicago, February 7, 2019
Keating Speaks on Human Trafficking in Retail, Hospitality Industries at CLM Conference
Keating and fellow panelists will teach attendees what human trafficking is, how to spot the signs, and how to train staff and clients on the resources available to combat it.

Chicago, Libertyville, St. Louis, January 28, 2019
Illinois Super Lawyers Recognizes 29 Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Attorneys
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP is proud to have 14 Super Lawyers and 15 Rising Stars in 2019.

Chicago, November 30, 2018
Keating Quoted in SevenFifty Daily on Legalities of Hosting Event with Alcohol
Keating shared tips for reducing the risk of alcohol-related accidents and limiting liability.

Chicago, April 12, 2018
Keating Serves as Program Chair at DRI Retail and Hospitality Conference
Keating represents restaurants, concert venues, amusement venues, health clubs and retail businesses.

Chicago, Libertyville, Madison County, 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.

Chicago, April 7, 2017
Keating Serves as Program Vice Chair at DRI Retail and Hospitality Conference
Keating represents national and international corporations in tort liability litigation matters throughout the United States.

Chicago, 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.

Chicago, April 21, 2016
Keating Moderates Marketing, Brand Litigation Panel at DRI Retail and Hospitality Conference
Keating will moderate a discussion titled, "You Agreed to What?" regarding marketing and branding litigation at hospitality companies.

Chicago, April 20, 2016
Skiko, Keating, Kincaid Provide Update on Medical Marijuana in Property Management
As part of a panel moderated by partner Joseph P. Kincaid, Keating and Skiko discussed the implications of medical marijuana on real estate.

Chicago, 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.

Chicago, December 1, 2015
Keating Authors Hotel Business Review Article on Hotel Bar Liability Issues
The influx of people to a hotel with a bar or restaurant may create issues for the operation of the hotel and potential liability concerns for the hotel's owners and operators.

Chicago, April 2, 2015
Medical Marijuana in Property Management Discussed at Kincaid, Skiko, Keating Presentation
The three attorneys will discuss the implications of medical marijuana on real estate.

Chicago, March 24, 2015
Keating Speaks on Human Trafficking in Retail, Hospitality Industry at DRI Conference
Keating will discuss the impact of human trafficking on the retail and hospitality industry.

Chicago, 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.

Chicago, November 5, 2014
Sheean, Keating Defeat Plaintiffs’ Motion for Class Certification in SkinnyGirl Margarita Case
The lawsuit alleged that SkinnyGirl Margarita was mislabeled as "all natural."

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.

May 15, 2013
Keating Addresses Lawsuits Against Franchisees at DRI Seminar
Keating focused on "Lawsuits Against Your Franchisee: Making Sure The Brand Is Protected."

March 19, 2013
Keating Named Double Goal Coach Award Finalist
Keating is one of 50 finalists nationally who embodies the Double Goal Coach model of striving to win, while also teaching life lessons through sports.

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.

November 19, 2012
Keating Presents at International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions Expo
Keating offered attendees "Strategies For When Bad Things Happen at Good Places."

April 10, 2012
Keating Receives Marist High School Alumni Award
Keating received the Time and Eternity Award at the 2012 Alumni Reunion and Awards last month.

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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