Biography
Christopher T. Sheean is a partner at Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP and chairs the firm’s Class Action Practice Group. Chris defends products manufacturers in lawsuits, and counsels companies on various regulatory and governmental matters. He also represents national and international corporations in various types of commercial, corporate and intellectual property litigation matters throughout the United States. His intellectual property practice involves issues of trademark and trade secret misappropriation, copyright infringement, unfair competition and advertising injury claims. He also handles a broad spectrum of general corporate issues and disputes including complex breach of contract claims and multidistrict consumer class actions. As the lead trial lawyer in many cases, Chris has successfully litigated often complex and cutting-edge commercial and intellectual property claims in both federal and state courts. Chris has served as an adjunct professor of trial advocacy at Northwestern University Law School since 2009. He has been designated with the highest rating by Martindale-Hubbell, AV Preeminent, since 2002, and has been selected as a Top Rated Lawyer in Commercial Litigation by American Lawyer Media since 2012.
Practices
Product Liability
Commercial Litigation and Business Disputes
Intellectual Property Litigation and Transactional Services
Medical Negligence and Healthcare
Employment Litigation and Counseling
Insurance
Class Action Defense
Memberships & Affiliations
- Defense Research Institute
- Law Institute Liaison, 2017-present
- Chair, Commercial Litigation Committee, 2015-2016
- Vice Chair, Commercial Litigation Committee, 2013-2015
- Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel
- Northwestern University College of Law, Adjunct Professor, Trial Advocacy
- International Trademark Association
- Race Director, Big Shoulders 5K Open Water Swim, 1997-present
Awards
- Selected for inclusion in Illinois Super Lawyers, 2024
- Named "Leading Lawyer" in Illinois every year since 2018
- Named "Top Lawyer in Commercial Litigation" every year since 2012
- Rated AV Preeminent by Martindale Hubbell every year since 2002
Publications
- Co-Author, "Corporate Veil Piercing in the Product Liability Suit," DRI's For the Defense, November 2019
- “Illinois Class Action Law,” DRI’s Compendium on Class Action Law, Spring 2011
- “’Bad To The Bone’ -7th Cir. Bars Plaintiffs’ Class Action Lawyer From Filing Copycat Lawsuits,” DRI Business Suit E-Newsletter, November 2010
- “Misappropriation of Non-Trade Secret Information Actions,” DRI’s For The Defense, October 2008
- “Illinois Trade Secrets Law,” Compendium on Trade Secrets and Non-Compete Clauses, DRI Publications, May 2008, Updated May 2012
- “Strategies for Defeating Class Certification in Mass Tort Cases,” Exploring Toxic Tort and Environmental Liability Claims, DRI Publications, July 2007
- “Defending Trade Secrets Claims,” DRI Defending Intellectual Property Compendium, Vol. 2, DRI Publications, March 2007
Presentations
- "The Shattered Corporate Shield: Tales of Member and Owner Liability," DRI Business Litigation Super Conference, May 2019
- "Welcome and Introductions," DRI Life, Health, Disability and ERISA Conference, April 2019
- "Welcome and Introductions," DRI Insurance Coverage and Practice Symposium, November 2018
- "Assault on Crossbows: Tales from the Front Lines in Defense of Shooting Sports" DRI Product Liability Conference Specialized Litigation Group Presentations, January 2018
- “Covenants Not to Compete and Trade Secrets,” Web Presentation to DRI Corporate Counsel Committee, September 2014
- “Consumer Financial Protection Bureau – Its Scope, Power and Potential Impact,” DRI Business Litigation Seminar, Washington, D.C., May 2014
- “Video Gaming: A Jackpot For Your Establishment?” Academy of Hospitality Industry Attorneys Spring Seminar, Chicago, IL, April 2014
- “Trade Secrets and Non-Compete Agreements,” DRI Webinar, October 2012
- “Trade Secret Litigation Trends,” DRI Business Litigation and Intellectual Property Litigation Seminar, New York, NY, May 2012
- “Invasion of the Class Action Privacy Lawsuits,” DRI Annual Meeting, Washington, D.C., October 2011
News
February 21, 2024
Hogan to Present at 2024 DRI Trucking Law Seminar
Partner Meg F. Hogan will present, "Anchors Away! Beating Plaintiffs at Their Own Game," at the 2024 DRI Trucking Law Seminar on April 11 in St. Louis, Missouri.
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.
October 18, 2023
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Partners Sponsor American Heart Association's Counsel for a Cause
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Partners John P. Arranz, Ross W. Bartolotta, Steven E. Danekas, Michael W. Drumke, P. Stephen Fardy, George F. Fitzpatrick, Jr., McRay Judge, Timothy G. Nickels, John J. O'Sullivan, David F. Pardys, Gary C. Pinter, T. Allon Renfro, Kristine C. Reveille, Christopher T. Sheean, Robert W. Stephens and Marcie J. Vantine are proud sponsors of the American Heart Association’s (AHA) 8th Annual Chicago Counsel for a Cause event on October 19.
May 26, 2023
Sheean to Serve as Law Institute Liaison at 2023 DRI Trucking Seminar
Partner Christopher T. Sheean will serve as Law Institute Liaison at DRI’s 2023 Trucking Litigation Essentials Seminar on June 14 in Charlotte, North Carolina.
April 24, 2023
Sheean to Serve as Law Institute Liaison at 2023 DRI Cannabis Seminar
Partner Christopher T. Sheean will serve as Law Institute Liaison at DRI’s Cannabis Law Seminar on May 3 in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Chicago, April 03, 2023
Sheean and Weiler Secure Victory at Illinois Supreme Court for TransUnion
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP attorneys Christopher T. Sheean, Catherine Basque Weiler, and Margaret C. Redshaw scored a victory for firm client TransUnion's unit, TransUnion Rental Screening Solutions, Inc., before the Illinois Supreme Court.
April 03, 2023
Sheean to Serve as Instructor at FDCC's FedTechU Program
Partner Christopher T. Sheean will serve as an instructor at the Federation of Defense & Corporate Counsel's (FDCC) FedTechU program, "Master the Art of Presentations, Apps & The iPad," on April 28-30 in Philadelphia, PA.
Chicago, November 22, 2021
Rifkind, Sheean Named to Crain's Notable Gen X Leaders in Accounting, Consulting and Law List
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP congratulates partners Stephanie Rifkind and Christopher T. Sheean on being named to Crain's Chicago Business' Notable Gen X Leaders in Accounting, Consulting and Law 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, 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, December 9, 2019
Sheean Serves as Law Institute Liaison at DRI Insurance Seminar
Sheean welcomed attendees to the symposium last week.
Chicago, November 14, 2019
Sheean, Keating Author Article in DRI's For The Defense Publication
Sheean and Keating's article is titled, "Adiós "Alter Ego"; Corporate Veil Piercing in the Product Liability Suit."
Chicago, April 25, 2019
Sheean Speaks at DRI Business Litigation Super Conference
Sheean will discuss "The Shattered Corporate Shield: Tales of Member and Owner Liability" along with the Honorable James L. Gale, North Carolina Business Court, Greensboro, South Carolina.
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, November 14, 2018
Sheean Speaks at DRI Insurance Coverage Conference
Sheean will offer a welcome and introduction to attendees at the November symposium.
Chicago, January 11, 2018
Sheean Speaks at DRI Product Liability Conference
Sheean will address "Assault on Crossbows: Tales from the Front Lines in Defense of Shooting Sports."
Chicago, September 21, 2017
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Client Obtains Summary Judgment in Copyright Case
The ruling granted Frenchy's summary judgment as defendant in an action brought by a former employee.
Chicago, May 9, 2017
Sheean, Wahl Speak at DRI Business Litigation Seminar
Sheean chairs the DRI Business Litigation Committee; Wahl will speak to young lawyers on copyright basics in musical compositions and sound recordings.
Chicago, June 3, 2016
Sheean Obtains Favorable Settlement in False Advertising Case
The victory represents the culmination of a three-year litigation battle that included three separate reported decisions.
Chicago, October 1, 2015
Sheean Named Chair of DRI Commercial Litigation Committee
Sheean's first official meeting as chair will take place during DRI's Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C.
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."
July 23, 2013
Sheean Named Vice Chair of DRI Commercial Litigation Committee
Sheean's one year term as Vice Chair is effective immediately.
