Biography
Dale Wills is a partner at Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP. Dale represents companies in various types of product liability matters in Chicago and throughout the United States. Dale’s product liability experience includes representation of manufacturers and sellers of the following products: firearms and ammunition, automobiles, punch presses, printer/slotters, grinding wheels, kitchen appliances, lift trucks, trap machines, air compressors, military transports, conveyor systems, tear gas canisters, glass and ceramic containers, and gas control valves. Dale also represents manufacturing concerns in product liability and warranty class actions. Prior to joining Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP in 2002, Dale was a partner at Wildman, Harrold, Allen & Dixon in Chicago. Dale provides exceptional legal representation for his clients by employing efficient, cost-effective strategies resulting in favorable business resolutions.
Practices
Product Liability
Class Action Defense
Commercial Litigation and Business Disputes
General Trial Practice
Mediation Practice
Memberships & Affiliations
- Advocate, American Board of Trial Advocates
- Fellow, American College of Trial Lawyers
- Product Liability Advisory Council
Awards
- Selected for inclusion in Leading Lawyers, 2025
- Selected for inclusion in Illinois Super Lawyers in 2022-2023
- Selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America®
- Lawyer of the Year, Product Liability Litigation - Defendants, 2016
- Selected for inclusion, Product Liability Litigation - Defendants, 2007-2022
Publications
- “A Waiver of the Work Product Immunity,” No. 3, University of Illinois Law Review (1981)
News
January 10, 2025
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Attorneys Recognized as Leading Lawyers and Emerging Lawyers for 2025
Fifty-three Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP attorneys have been recognized in the 2025 edition of Leading Lawyers, published by Law Bulletin Media. This honor highlights their outstanding skill and leadership in the legal field. Attorneys selected were nominated by their peers as among the top in Illinois. Leading Lawyers recognizes the most qualified and trusted attorneys within their respective practice areas and geographical regions.
Chicago, January 23, 2023
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Attorneys Named 2023 Illinois Super Lawyers
Five Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP attorneys have been named to the 2023 Super Lawyers® list as leading practitioners in their field across Illinois.
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, 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, St. Louis, Madison County, August 20, 2020
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Attorneys Named to 2021 Best Lawyers, Ones to Watch Lists
Recognition by Best Lawyers is based entirely on peer review.
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, August 15, 2019
Seven Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Attorneys Named to 2020 Best Lawyers List
Recognition by Best Lawyers is based entirely on peer review.
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, August 15, 2018
Five Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Attorneys Named to 2019 Best Lawyers List
Recognition by Best Lawyers is based entirely on peer review.
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, 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, August 23, 2017
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Attorneys Named to 2018 Best Lawyers List
Recognition by Best Lawyers is based entirely on peer review.
Chicago, August 15, 2016
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Attorneys Named to Best Lawyers List
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP also received the firm a Tier 1 ranking in the area of "Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants" in 2016.
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.
Chicago, 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.
Chicago, 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.
Chicago, August 17, 2015
Three Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Attorneys Named to Best Lawyers
Partner Dale Wills was also named the Product Liability Attorney of the Year.
Chicago, February 26, 2015
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Employees Volunteer at Greater Chicago Food Depository
Volunteers repacked 1,200 bags of pasta for distribution to area food pantries and shelters.
October 17, 2014
Wills Inducted Into American Board of Trial Advocates
Wills joins several other Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP who are also ABOTA members.
August 21, 2014
Three Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Attorneys Named to Best Lawyers
Drumke, Martin and Wills were named to Best Lawyers in various practice areas.
August 15, 2013
Wills, Martin Named to 2014 Best Lawyers in America List
Wills named in Product Liability Litigation - Defendants and Martin was named in Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants.
