Appellate Practice
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP enjoys a well deserved reputation as one of the elite litigation firms in America. The members of the firm’s Appellate Practice Group have made, and continue to make, several important contributions to the firm’s great success. First, the very knowledgeable appellate practitioners are available to provide advice and counsel to the firm’s highly skilled trial lawyers. The members of the Appellate Practice Group are indeed “lawyers’ lawyers.” They stand ready to assist trial counsel in developing and defining issues; in preparing case dispositive motions before trial; in preparing motions in limine to limit the presentation of an opponent’s evidence at trial; in preparing motions for directed findings and verdicts; and in preparing post-trial motions. The efforts of the Appellate Practice Group contribute to success in the trial court and to the creation of a record that is readily defensible in the courts of review.
The Appellate Practice Group is available to provide a client with effective appellate representation in state and federal courts of review throughout our country, including the United States Supreme Court in Washington, D.C., if necessary. This appellate representation is available to clients who were represented in trial courts by other firms as well as to those clients represented by our own skilled trial counsel. A case may first come to the firm when it is approaching trial, when it has been decided, or when it is already on appeal. At any point in the case, the Appellate Practice Group stands ready to assist.
The record compiled by the Appellate Practice Group is quite impressive. Focusing its expertise in written and oral argument nationwide, these extremely capable attorneys have written more than 200 appellate briefs, which have been presented throughout the United States and which have resulted more than 50 published opinions.
Clients and prospective clients certainly have every reason to rely upon the high level of professional competence consistently displayed by the Appellate Practice Group of Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP.
News
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.
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.
July 11, 2023
Weiler Named Vice President of the Appellate Lawyers Association
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP partner Catherine Basque Weiler was appointed Vice President of the Appellate Lawyers Association (ALA) following during ALA's installation ceremony on June 30.
June 23, 2023
Weiler to Speak at Pincus Professional Education's Trial Record and Appeals Webinar
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP partner Catherine Basque Weiler will speak in Pincus Professional Education's "Preserving the Trial Record for Appeal in Illinois Civil Cases" webinar on July 18 and 20.
Chicago, November 16, 2021
Weiler, Reveille Speak at CHRMS Chicago Law Day on Prejudgment Interest
Reveille and Weiler will discuss "Prejudgment Interest is Here to Stay-Maybe. Probably. But."
Chicago, October 7, 2021
Kanter Co-Authors Law360 Article on D.C. Circuit's Exploratory Data Ruling
When scientists employed by universities, nonprofit institutes or corporations publish scientific studies, they routinely make their underlying research data available to peer reviewers and anyone else who is interested. A recent U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit decision, Pavement Coatings Technology Council v. United States Geological Survey, confirms that federal government scientists should be no different. They cannot shield their published work from professional, industry or public criticism by invoking Freedom of Information Act Exemption 5 — the deliberative process privilege — as a reason for refusing to disclose their exploratory research data.
Chicago, September 3, 2021
Lothson Named to Law Bulletin Media's 40 Under Forty List
According to Lothson's profile, ""Andy has natural instincts beyond his years and is an exceptionally bright and creative attorney."
Chicago, August 10, 2021
Five Associates Join Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP
They will all practice in the firm's Chicago office.
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Chicago, July 6, 2021
Weiler Receives Law Bulletin Media's Top 50 Women in Law Honor
Weiler is one of 50 honorees chosen for her work to mentor and promote other women in the profession, her success in the legal community and being a shining example of leadership.
Chicago, June 21, 2021
Weiler Named Officer of Appellate Lawyers Association
Weiler will serve as treasurer for the year and is expected to progress through the officer ranks until serving as ALA president in a few years.
Chicago, March 8, 2021
Becker, Alva Successful in Appellate Defense of Commercial Litigation Matter
The Illinois Supreme Court declined to hear the appeal of Smith v. Sterling Bank, letting stand the appellate affirmation of a lower court's dismissal of the plaintiff's claims against Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP's client in a commercial litigation matter.
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, December 22, 2020
Weiler Quoted in Law360 on Biggest Illinois Decisions of 2020
Weiler suggested Nichole Hamby et al. v. Bayer Corp. et al., a Supreme Court of the State of Illinois jurisdictional ruling which found the non-resident plaintiffs had identified "no jurisdictionally relevant links" between their claims over the device and Illinois, reversing circuit and intermediate appellate courts that had allowed the claims to go forward.
Chicago, December 11, 2020
Cooke, Keating Secure Reversal in Illinois Appellate Court of Contempt Order and Trial Court's Enforcement of Unsigned Settlement Agreement
Cooke and Keating obtained the reversal of a contempt order in connection with the enforcement of an unsigned settlement agreement.
Chicago, November 13, 2020
Cooke, Skwiat Prevail Before Ninth Circuit in Accreditation/Common Law Due Process Challenge
Cooke and Skwiat recently secured a decision from the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit affirming an accreditation agency's imposition of probation against one of its accredited members.
Chicago, May 20, 2020
Weiler Speaks at Appellate Lawyers Association Program on Remote Oral Arguments
The virtual luncheon program provides an opportunity to hear from the bench and bar on remote arguments in the Illinois reviewing courts.
Chicago, May 31, 2019
Crain's Chicago Business Names Five Attorneys to Notable Gen X Leaders in Law list
John P. Arranz, Patricia S. Kocour, A. Jay Koehler, Aiju C. Thevatheril and Catherine Basque Weiler were among 121 lawyers in Chicago listed.
Chicago, St. Louis, Madison County, March 28, 2019
Kawala, O'Sullivan Named BTI Client Service All-Stars
Kawala and O'Sullivan were two of 335 individual attorneys from 153 law firms nominated to the BTI Client Service All-Stars 2019.
Chicago, March 5, 2019
McGovern, Fitzgerald Prevail Before Seventh Circuit in Maritime Contract Case
McGovern and Fitzgerald defended a logistics company in a maritime case involving the international carriage of copper from China to the United States.
December 20, 2018
Law360 Quotes Weiler on Biggest Illinois Decisions of 2018
Weiler named Peraino v. The County of Winnebago et al. as a noteworthy decision this year.
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."
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.
January 24, 2018
Illinois Appellate Court Affirms Trial Court Ruling for Medical Client
The case, which involved vascular surgery, was handled by attorneys William J. Rogers and Valerie Lengerich.
January 4, 2018
Schichtel, Weiler Successfully Appeal Apparent Agency Question to Illinois Supreme Court
The related policy issues affect hospitals, medical facilities, and charity care throughout Illinois.
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.
August 15, 2017
Chicago Daily Law Bulletin Highlights Appellate Court Ruling in Noncompete Case
According the article, "in a ruling that broke new legal ground Monday, a state appeals panel found that connecting with a former colleague on a social media platform is not enough to violate a noncompete agreement."
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.
March 22, 2016
McGovern, Wills Earn Appellate Victory in Legal Malpractice Case
The Chicago Daily Law Bulletin included a front-page article on the result.
June 26, 2015
Schichtel, Weiler and Schneider Win Opinion in Illinois Appellate Court for Hospital Client
The opinion affirmed a summary judgment for Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP's client and clarifies the scope of agency law in Illinois.
June 25, 2013
Weiler Named Director of Appellate Lawyers Association
Weiler was sworn in earlier this month for a two-year term.
January 14, 2013
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Names New Partners, Welcomes New Associate
Aiju C. Thevatheril was elected to equity partnership ranks, while Leanne W. Moore was named a non-equity partner.
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