Joseph P. Switzer

Biography

Joseph P. Switzer is a founding partner at Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP. Joe has spent his entire career defending personal injury claims with an emphasis on medical malpractice and product liability. As primary trial counsel he has tried numerous complex jury cases to verdict, and procured not guilty verdicts in many of these cases.  In one case, the co-defendant hospital was found liable for $18.6 million while Joe’s client, the attending obstetrician who delivered the child, was found not guilty. Joe has been recognized as a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers. 

Joe has represented numerous physicians, hospitals, and clinics in professional negligence cases as well as large corporations in product and general liability matters. He also represents numerous major insurance clients, as well as many self-insured national and international corporations. 

Joe has represented product liability defendants, both in discovery and at trial, in the Circuit Court of Cook County, throughout the State of Illinois, and in a number of other venues across the country. He currently serves as national counsel to an Illinois manufacturer of hydraulic and mechanical lifting equipment.

Practices

General Trial Practice
Medical Negligence and Healthcare
Pharmaceutical and Medical Device
Product Liability

Memberships & Affiliations

  • Chicago Bar Association
  • Illinois State Bar Association
  • Society of Trial Lawyers
  • American Board of Trial Advocates

Awards

  • Named 2024 "Lawyer of the Year" by The Best Lawyers in America® for Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants, Chicago
  • Selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America®
    • Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants, 2022-2024
  • Fellow, American College of Trial Lawyers
  • AV Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
  • Selected for inclusion in Illinois Super Lawyers in 2007-2021 in personal injury defense and medical malpractice defense
  • Selected for inclusion in Leading Lawyers
  • Listed as one of the Top Lawyers in Illinois, Chicago Magazine

Publications

  • Co-Author, Wilson v. Clark and Its Progeny: the Application of Federal Rules 703 and 705 in Illinois, Chi. Bar Rec., v.67, No.1 (1985) (cited in an Illinois Supreme Court dissenting opinion)

Presentations

  • Invited speaker on continuing legal education topics, Chicago Bar Association and the Illinois Institute of Continuing Legal Education

News

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.

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.

August 18, 2022
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Attorneys Named to 2023 Best Lawyers, Ones to Watch Lists
Thirty-nine Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP attorneys were named to the 2023 Best Lawyers in America® and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America™ lists.

Chicago, Lisle, Libertyville, St. Louis, Madison County, Indiana, August 19, 2021
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Attorneys Named to 2022 Best Lawyers, Ones to Watch Lists
Recognition by Best Lawyers is based entirely on peer review.

Chicago, August 12, 2021
Clyder, Switzer Persuade Eighth Circuit to Exclude Expert Witness
Injured while using a hand-held spiral saw, the plaintiff alleged in a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri that the saw was defective because its handle spontaneously detached from its body.

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, November 5, 2019
Switzer, Ferrill Recognized with Trial Lawyer Excellence Award
They received an award for "Outstanding Defense Verdict in a Medical Malpractice Case."

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, 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, September 7, 2018
Law360 Profiles Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP for 2018 Illinois Regional Powerhouse Series
According to the article, "Swanson's attorneys have flexed their muscles in several Illinois courtrooms this year, helping to fend off more than $100 million in claimed damages in several suits rooted in the firm's more institutional areas of practice."

Chicago, June 1, 2018
Rogers Appointed Illinois Representative for ABOTA National Board
ABOTA is a national association of experienced trial lawyers and judges dedicated to the preservation and promotion of the civil jury trial right provided by the Seventh Amendment to the Constitution.

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, Lisle, Libertyville, Madison County, 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.

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, June 30, 2016
Switzer, Albright Obtain Defense Verdict in Medical Negligence Case
The plaintiffs requested the jury return a verdict in excess of $15 million.

Chicago, June 1, 2016
Kocour Elected to Membership in American Board of Trial Advocates
Kocour joins several other Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP who are also ABOTA members.

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.

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.

October 20, 2015
American College of Trial Lawyers Inducts Wills, 10th Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Attorney
Lawyers must have a minimum of 15 years trial experience before they can be considered for Fellowship and membership cannot exceed one percent of the total lawyer population of any state.

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.

November 25, 2014
'12 Day Defensive Hot Streak' Highlighted in Law Bulletin Article
The article highlighted four defense verdicts Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP attorneys received on behalf of clients.

November 19, 2014
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Obtains Four Not Guilty Verdicts in 11 Days
In a span of 11 days, Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP attorneys obtained four not guilty verdicts at trial on behalf of clients.

October 17, 2014
Wills Inducted Into American Board of Trial Advocates
Wills joins several other Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP who are also ABOTA members.

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.

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.

March 19, 2012
Illinois Jury Verdict Reporter Magazine Features Swanson, SMB Attorneys
Swanson was recognized in the magazine for receiving one of the first Trial Lawyer Excellence Awards for Lifetime Achievement.

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.

October 29, 2010
American College of Trial Lawyers Admits Ninth Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Attorney
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Partner Robert M. Collins has become a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, one of the premier legal associations in America.

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