Insurance

Insurance

Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP’s experienced insurance coverage team provides its clients with prompt, reliable analysis and policy interpretation with regard to all first and third party coverage issues in Illinois and throughout the United States. We work with clients to avoid expensive and time-consuming litigation by assisting them in policy drafting, presenting seminars on claims handling and current law, and drafting reservations of rights/denial letters that comply with the relevant jurisdiction’s laws.
 
Further, on those occasions where litigation cannot be avoided, a depth of courtroom experience allows firm attorneys to handle complex coverage issues.  The firm’s skilled trial attorneys litigate insurance matters throughout the country, having tried cases to verdict before judges and juries and being responsible for seminal coverage opinions in various appellate courts as well as in the Illinois Supreme Court. Areas of experience include:
  • Claims Handling and Extra-Contractual Liability
  • General Liability (construction, including additional insured issues, product liability, environmental and intellectual property)
  • Inland and Ocean Marine (maritime, cargo and property)
  • First Party Property (hurricane, fire and theft)
  • Professional and E&O / D&O Liability (legal, accountant and medical)
  • Personal and Commercial Auto
  • Employers Liability (discrimination, defamation and wrongful termination)
  • Excess, Umbrella and Reinsurance Lines (monitoring litigation for excess carriers, litigating claims between insurers and between insurers and reinsurers)
  • Legal Fee Audits (of independent counsel bills)
 


News

Chicago, November 06, 2023
Kettering to Moderate Panel At Illinois Association of Healthcare Attorneys' 41st Annual Health Law Symposium
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Associate Katherine M. Kettering will serve as a moderator for "Legal Updates and Trends" at the 41st Annual Illinois Association of Healthcare Attorneys (IAHA) Health Law Symposium on November 9 in Chicago.

Chicago, St. Louis, November 02, 2023
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Recognized in 2024 Best Law Firms Rankings
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP is thrilled to announce its inclusion in the 14th Edition of Best Law Firms® ranked by Best Lawyers for 2024.

October 02, 2023
Drumke Named ABA/TIPS James K. Carroll Leadership Award Recipient
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Partner Michael W. Drumke has been named the recipient of the James K. Carroll Leadership Award by the Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section (TIPS) of the American Bar Association.

September 26, 2023
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Sponsors Duly Health and Care Charitable Fund Fundraiser
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP and partners Elizabeth A. Bruer, Marie K. Lynchr, and Jessica Levitt Acuna are proud to sponsor the "Care Affair Uncorked" fundraiser hosted by the Duly Health and Care Charitable Fund on October 7 in Glen Ellyn, Illinois.

Chicago, September 13, 2023
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Welcomes Two Lateral Associates
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP welcomes two lateral associates to its Chicago office.

St. Louis, September 07, 2023
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Welcomes New Associate
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP welcomes a new associate to its St. Louis office.

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.

Chicago, St. Louis, November 4, 2021
Best Lawyers Names Mass Tort Litigation, Environmental, Product Liability Practices to Annual List
Published by U.S. News and World Report and Best Lawyers, the firm once again received a National Tier 1 ranking for Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Defendants, as well as a National Tier 3 ranking for Litigation – Environmental.


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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, 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, January 29, 2020
Seven Associates Named Partner at Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP
Seven associates based in the Chicago office have been named partner.

Chicago, September 9, 2019
Kramer Speaks at Chicagoland Risk Forum
Kramer will discuss "Premises Liability and the General Public: Risk Mitigation in a Litigious Society."

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, September 12, 2018
Daniel G. Wills, 1959 – 2018
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP announces with much sadness the death of equity partner Daniel G. Wills. Wills, a partner in the firm's Chicago office, passed away suddenly last week at the age of 59.

Chicago, November 10, 2017
Lateral Partner, Lateral Associate Join Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP
Patrick G. Cooke joins the Chicago office, while Jordan C. Olejniczak joins the Lisle office.

Chicago, October 2, 2017
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Celebrates 25th Anniversary, Continued Growth
In recognition of its 25th anniversary year, Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP has made a monthly donation to a non-profit with whom the firm has a strong relationship.

Chicago, Madison County, July 25, 2017
Three Associates Join Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP announces that two lateral attorneys and a newly sworn-in attorney have joined the firm as associates.

Chicago, March 20, 2017
Law Bulletin Article Highlights Insurance Coverage Case
The article, "Insurer must defend for vicarious liability even though not alleged," was about the 1st District Appellate Court's decision "that an additional insured whose coverage encompassed only vicarious liability could be entitled to a defense by the additional insurer even though the underlying complaint alleged neither vicarious liability nor negligence by the named insured."

Chicago, Lisle, January 5, 2017
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Names Three New Partners
Sullivan practices in Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP’s Lisle office, while Lothson and Wahl practice in the firm’s Chicago office.

June 23, 2016
Four Lateral Associates Join Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP announces four lateral associates have joined the firm's Chicago office.

January 12, 2016
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Names New Partners
Clyder and Haddox practice in Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP’s Chicago office, while Henne practices in the firm’s Libertyville office.

September 24, 2014
Chicago Daily Law Bulletin Highlights Merger with Kernell Law Firm
Swanson, Martin & Bell now has nearly 120 attorneys in five offices, including offices in Chicago, Lisle and Libertyville.

May 8, 2013
Wills Moderates Civil Court Judges Program
Wills will moderate panelists of five civil court judges in the morning and afternoon sessions of the daylong program.

January 23, 2012
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Names New Partners
The firm's new partners focus on a variety of practice areas.


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