Anthony J. Monaco

Biography

Anthony J. Monaco is an equity partner and trial attorney at Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP in Chicago. Having served as chair of the firm's Product Liability Practice Group for many years, he regularly handles litigation in the following areas: Aviation, Automotive, Drugs and Medical Devices, Construction and Industrial Equipment, Consumer and Recreational Products, Children's Toys and Food Safety. He has experience defending manufacturers in multi-district litigation (MDL) and mass-tort/class action litigation.

Anthony has personally tried multi-million dollar product liability and commercial litigation matters to verdict in seven states: Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, Massachusetts, Maryland, Georgia and Wisconsin. He also has experience conducting business in Europe and Asia with the firm's foreign manufacturing clients.

In 2008, Anthony was awarded the honor of "#1 Top Defense Verdict in the State of Missouri" by Missouri Lawyers Weekly for an automotive product liability trial in the City of St. Louis involving the death of three teenagers and a catastrophically injured adult. The subject vehicle and its component part had been the subject of a recall. The plaintiff's last demand prior to trial was $53 million.

In 2014, Anthony tried a "seat strength" case to defense verdict on behalf of an automotive manufacturer in Prince Georges County, Maryland. The plaintiff had sought $8.5 million at trial.

Most recently, Anthony received a defense verdict in the largest product liability case tried in the State of Illinois in 2019. The plaintiff requested $48 million in compensatory damages and over $200 million in punitive damages. Although the Circuit Court of Cook County trial judge allowed the plaintiff to introduce multiple other fatalities as “other incidents” and that the crane manufacturer was worth “a billion dollars,” the jury returned a defense verdict finding both that the subject crane was not defective and that the sole proximate cause of the crane accident was the conduct of nonparties.

While he practices in notoriously difficult jurisdictions for product liability defendants including the Circuit Court of Cook County, St. Clair County and Madison County, Illinois regularly, Anthony has been retained to coordinate litigation throughout the country on behalf of his clients. He has been named a "Rising Star" by Illinois Super Lawyers each year since 2008 and a Super Lawyer each year since 2018.

Practices

Commercial Litigation and Business Disputes
Fire and Explosion Litigation
General Trial Practice
Pharmaceutical and Medical Device
Toxic Tort Litigation
Construction
Insurance
Product Liability
Class Action Defense
Aviation Litigation
Data Protection and Information Privacy

Memberships & Affiliations

  • Federal Bar Association
  • American Bar Association
    • Vice-Chair, Products Liability Committee, Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section, 2015-2016
  • Defense Research Institute
  • Illinois State Bar Association
    • Elected Assemblyman, 2006-2008
    • Appointed to Tort Law Section Council, 2008-2010
  • Illinois Bar Foundation
  • Chicago Bar Association
  • Chicago Volunteer Legal Services

Awards

  • Selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America®
    • Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Defendants and Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants, 2024
  • Trial Lawyer Excellence Award from The Jury Verdict Reporter, "Outstanding Defense Verdict in a Product Liability Case," 2022
  • #1 Defense Verdict in the State of Missouri for 2008 by Missouri Lawyers Weekly
  • Selected for inclusion in Illinois Super Lawyers in 2018-2021, 2023-2024
  • Selected for inclusion in Illinois Super Lawyers - Rising Star Edition in 2008-2015 in product liability defense

Presentations

  • Presenter, "Unreasonably Dangerous," Association of Equipment Manufacturers' Product Safety & Compliance and Product Liability Seminar, April 2023
  • Presenter, "Reasonably Safe for Intended Use," Association of Equipment Manufacturers' Product Safety & Compliance and Product Liability Seminar, April 2023
  • Presenter, "Reasonable Risks? A Discussion of the Legal Concepts of "Defect," Association of Equipment Manufacturers' Product Safety & Compliance and Product Liability Seminar, April 2023
  • Moderator, "Jury Selection and Trial Tips for the Post-Pandemic World, American Bar Association's Motor Vehicle Product Liability Litigation Conference, Scottsdale, Arizona, April 2022
  • Moderator, "Automotive Manufacturers In-House Counsel Think Tank: Managing Litigation, Containing Cost and Achieving Resolution," American Conference Institute's 12th National Forum on Defending and Managing Automotive Product Liability Litigation, Chicago, Illinois, July 2019
  • Moderator, “A View From the Bench," American Conference Institute's 10th National Forum on Automotive Product Liability Litigation, Chicago, Illinois, June 2017
  • Moderator, "Regulatory Blockbuster: What's New in the Regulatory Arena," DRI Motor Vehicle Product Liability Litigation, Phoenix, Arizona, April 2016
  • Presenter, "Carbon Nanotubes: The New Pulmonary Fibrosis," HarrisMartin's Emerging Toxic Tort Litigation Conference, Long Beach, California, December 2015
  • "Moderator, "A New Look at Benzene: Cases Where Benzene is a Contaminant," American Bar Association's TIPS 23rd Annual Spring CLE Meeting of the Toxic Torts and Environmental Law Committee, Scottsdale, Arizona, April 2014
  • Moderator,A View From the Bench," American Conference Institute's 6th Annual Premier Forum on Defending and Managing Trucking Litigation, Chicago, Summer 2013
  • Moderator, A View From the Bench," American Conference Institute's 6th Annual Advanced Forum on Defending and Managing Automotive Product Liability Litigation, Chicago, Illinois, Summer 2013
  • Presenter, “A Rear-End Collision, Seat Back Strength, Skull Fractures & Brian Injuries” American Conference Institute’s Premier Summit of Brian Injury Litigation, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, February 2013
  • Moderator,A View From the Bench," American Conference Institute's 3rd Annual Premier Forum on Defending and Managing Trucking Litigation, Atlanta, Georgia, November 2012
  • Moderator, A View From the Bench," American Conference Institute's 5th Annual Advanced Forum on Defending and Managing Automotive Product Liability Litigation, Chicago, Illinois, July 2012
  • Presenter, “Assessing the Monetary Value of Your Case & Calculating the Pre-Trial Costs” American Conference Institutes First Annual Brian Injury Litigation Conference, Philadelphia, PA, March 2012
  • Moderator, “A Review of Recent Daubert and Frye,” HB Litigation Benzene Litigation Audiocast, July 2011
  • Presenter, “Litigating Claims Involving Component Part Suppliers," American Conference Institute's 4th Advanced Forum on Defending and Managing Automotive Product Liability Litigation, Chicago, Illinois, June 2011
  • Moderator, “Navigating A Government Investigation – What To Do When The Regulators Come Calling,” American Bar Association’s 2011 Emerging Issues in Motor Vehicle Product Liability Litigation Conference, Phoenix, Arizona, March 2011
  • Moderator,A View From the Bench," American Conference Institute's Premier Forum on Defending and Managing Trucking Litigation, Chicago, Illinois, March 2011
  • Moderator,A View From the Bench," American Conference Institute's 3rd Advanced Forum on Defending and Managing Automotive Product Liability Litigation, Chicago, Illinois, October 2010
  • Presenter, “Size Does Matter – Using Micro Evidence to Effectively Defend Automotive Cases,” DRI Product Liability Conference, San Diego, California, September 2009
  • Presenter, “Trying Ball Joint Cases Involving a Recall,” Chrysler LLC, Auburn Hills, Michigan, June 2008
  • Presenter, “Defending the Auto Case,” Chicago Volunteer Legal Services, Chicago, Illinois, July 2007
  • Presenter, “Confidentiality of Settlement Agreements,” DRI Product Liability Conference, New Orleans, Louisiana, February 2007
  • Presenter, “Deposing the Child Witness,” DRI Product Liability Conference, Los Angeles, California, February 2005
 

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.

Chicago, November 09, 2023
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Sponsors 73rd Annual Hellenic Bar Association Scholarship Ball
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP is proud to sponsor the Hellenic Bar Association's 73rd Annual Scholarship Ball on November 18 in Rosemont, 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.

April 03, 2023
Monaco and Henne to Present at 2023 AEM Product Safety & Compliance and Product Liability Seminar
Partners Anthony J. Monaco and Brett M. Henne will present at the 2023 Product Safety & Compliance and Product Liability Seminar, hosted by the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM), on April 24-27 in Cincinnati, Ohio.

February 20, 2023
Chicago Volunteer Legal Services Recognizes Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Attorneys for Pro Bono Assistance
Chicago Volunteer Legal Services (CVLS) recognized Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP attorneys Anthony J. Monaco and Gregory M. Emry for their pro bono representation of a retired veteran.

January 24, 2023
Monaco Named Chair of ABA TIPS Product Liability Committee
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Partner Anthony J. Monaco has been named Chair of the American Bar Association's (ABA) Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Section's (TIPS) Product Liability Committee for 2023-2024.

Chicago, January 23, 2023
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Attorneys Named 2023 Illinois Super Lawyers
Five Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP attorneys have been named to the 2023 Super Lawyers® list as leading practitioners in their field across Illinois.

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, 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, 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 12, 2021
Monaco Moderates Webinar on Engineering Controls and Spread of COVID-19

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, 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 31, 2020
Monaco Inducted Into Society of Trial Lawyers
Monaco focuses his practice on Product Liability, Class Action Defense, and Commercial Litigation and Business Disputes.

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, 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 9, 2019
Monaco Moderates Automotive Manufacturers In-House Counsel Panel
Monaco will lead a discussion with attorneys from Toyota, General Motors, Volkswagen and Nissan on their day-to-day litigation management challenges as well as what keeps them up at night.

Chicago, February 4, 2019
Chicago Volunteer Legal Services Recognizes Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Attorneys for Pro Bono Assistance
CVLS recognized Anthony J. Monaco and Claire M. Whitehead for their pro bono representation of a U.S. Air Force veteran.

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.

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.

May 28, 2018
Chicago Daily Law Bulletin Highlights Summary Judgment Ruling in Alleged BIPA Violation
The article focused on the recent summary judgment that Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP clients were awarded in a proposed class-action regarding the alleged violation of Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA).

May 21, 2018
Employees Lose Bid for Statutory Damages for Alleged BIPA Violation Without Proof of "Injury or Adverse Effect"
Attorneys from Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP and Verticchio & Verticchio Law Office were awarded summary judgment on behalf of their clients in a proposed class-action regarding the alleged violation of Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA).

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.

June 19, 2017
Monaco Moderates Judges' Panel at ACI Automotive Product Liability Litigation Conference
Monaco's panel offered "A View From The Bench," with judges from around the country answering questions about automotive product liability litigation.

March 21, 2017
Monaco Moderates Regulatory Panel at ABA TIPS Motor Vehicle Conference
Several in-house counsel will provide regulatory and enforcement updates and what to expect under the new administration.

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 20, 2016
Monaco Moderates Regulatory Panel at ABA TIPS Motor Vehicle Conference
Monaco moderated a panel titled "Regulatory Blockbuster: What's New in the Regulatory Arena."

December 11, 2015
Monaco Speaks on Carbon Nanotubes at HarrisMartin Conference
The conference focused on emerging toxic tort litigation.

August 19, 2015
Monaco Named TIPS' Product Liability Committee Vice Chair
He will serve as Vice-Chair for 2015-2016.

February 4, 2015
Bell, Monaco Defeat Plaintiff’s Federal False Claims Act Complaint
The lawsuit alleged that the manufacturer violated the federal False Claims Act in relation to warranties provided to the government.

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.

February 11, 2014
Bell, Monaco Win Not Guilty Verdict for Automaker
The trial ran for two weeks in Prince Georges County, Maryland.

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 28, 2013
Skiko Wins Summary Judgment for Security Services Client
Skiko has represented security service companies for more than 10 years.

April 19, 2013
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Awarded Summary Judgment in Trace Benzene Case
The Illinois Circuit Court of Cook County rejected the plaintiffs' claim that trace amounts of benzene in the defendant's aerosols and liquids led the decedent to develop acute myeloid leukemia.

January 8, 2013
Monaco Addresses Rear-End Collisions at Brain Injury Litigation Conference
Top litigators and a leading in house professional will discuss the accident, the injury, and the postcare treatment including the involvement by plaintiff ’s attorney.

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.

November 14, 2011
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Joins ILSCCP Mentoring Partnership
The ILSCCP Lawyer-to-Lawyer Mentoring Program pairs new associates with partners who provide professional guide and practical guidance.

March 6, 2009
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Awarded #1 Top Defense Verdict in 2008 by Missouri Lawyers Weekly
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Partners Brian W. Bell and Anthony J. Monaco were recently awarded #1 Top Defense Verdict in 2008 by Missouri Lawyers Weekly.

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