Overview
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.
- Federal Bar Association
- American Bar Association
- Products Liability Committee, Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section, Vice-Chair, 2015-2016, 2024-2025
- 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
- Law Bulletin Media “Leading Lawyers,” (2024-2025)
- Illinois Super Lawyers®, (2018-2021, 2023-2025)
- Best Lawyers in America®, (2024, 2026)
- Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Defendants,
- Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
- The Jury Verdict Reporter, “Trial Lawyer Excellence Award,” Outstanding Defense Verdict in a Product Liability Case, (2022)
- Missouri Lawyers Weekly, “#1 Defense Verdict in the State of Missouri for 2008”
- Illinois Super Lawyers®, “Rising Stars”
- Product Liability and Defense, (2008-2015)
- “Unreasonably Dangerous,” Association of Equipment Manufacturers’ Product Safety & Compliance and Product Liability Seminar, Cincinnati, Ohio, April 2023
- “Reasonably Safe for Intended Use,” Association of Equipment Manufacturers’ Product Safety & Compliance and Product Liability Seminar, Cincinnati, Ohio, April 2023
- “Reasonable Risks? A Discussion of the Legal Concepts of “Defect,” Association of Equipment Manufacturers’ Product Safety & Compliance and Product Liability Seminar, Cincinnati, Ohio, April 2023
- “Jury Selection and Trial Tips for the Post-Pandemic World”, American Bar Association’s Motor Vehicle Product Liability Litigation Conference, Scottsdale, Arizona, April 2022
- “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
- “A View From the Bench,” American Conference Institute’s 10th National Forum on Automotive Product Liability Litigation, Chicago, Illinois, June 2017
- “Regulatory Blockbuster: What’s New in the Regulatory Arena,” DRI Motor Vehicle Product Liability Litigation, Phoenix, Arizona, April 2016
- “Carbon Nanotubes: The New Pulmonary Fibrosis,” Harris Martin’s Emerging Toxic Tort Litigation Conference, Long Beach, California, December 2015
- “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
- “A View From the Bench,” American Conference Institute’s 6th Annual Premier Forum on Defending and Managing Trucking Litigation, Chicago, Summer 2013
- “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
- “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
- “A View From the Bench,” American Conference Institute’s 3rd Annual Premier Forum on Defending and Managing Trucking Litigation, Atlanta, Georgia, November 2012
- “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
- “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
- “A Review of Recent Daubert and Frye,” HB Litigation Benzene Litigation Audiocast, July 2011
- “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
- “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
- “A View From the Bench,” American Conference Institute’s Premier Forum on Defending and Managing Trucking Litigation, Chicago, Illinois, March 2011
- “A View From the Bench,” American Conference Institute’s 3rd Advanced Forum on Defending and Managing Automotive Product Liability Litigation, Chicago, Illinois, October 2010
- “Size Does Matter – Using Micro Evidence to Effectively Defend Automotive Cases,” DRI Product Liability Conference, San Diego, California, September 2009
- “Trying Ball Joint Cases Involving a Recall,” Chrysler LLC, Auburn Hills, Michigan, June 2008
- “Defending the Auto Case,” Chicago Volunteer Legal Services, Chicago, Illinois, July 2007
- “Confidentiality of Settlement Agreements,” DRI Product Liability Conference, New Orleans, Louisiana, February 2007
- “Deposing the Child Witness,” DRI Product Liability Conference, Los Angeles, California, February 2005
