Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP’s Civil Rights and Governmental Liability Group concentrates in the defense of constitutional and civil rights claims. The Group defends clients in matters involving constitutional issues, civil rights statutes such as 42 U.S.C. 1981 and 1983, and state tort liability claims. Firm lawyers have successfully represented both individuals and entities including police officers, villages, cities, counties, states, hospitals, security companies, medical groups, physicians, and nurses.
The Group’s lawyers have litigated cases in federal and state court involving alleged police misconduct, wrongful death, shootings, catastrophic injuries, post-traumatic stress disorder, failure to provide medical care, prison suicide, and the prosecution of many criminals in Cook County. Recent representations have included the defense of Section 1983 claims alleging unlawful search and seizure, excessive force, and due process violations; common law claims alleging false arrest and imprisonment, assault and battery, failure to provide medical care and malicious prosecution; Eighth Amendment claims, and Monell policy claims.
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP lawyers draw upon their previous experience working for the Corporation Counsel of the City of Chicago, the Cook County State’s Attorney Office, the Attorney General’s Office, and federal trial bar pro bono appointments representing plaintiffs in civil rights matters.
