Eric J. Skwiat

Biography

Eric Skwiat serves as Vice Chair of the firm’s Commercial Litigation Practice Group. Eric represents both national and international organizations in a broad range of complex commercial litigation and intellectual property matters. A substantial portion of Eric’s practice is devoted to the defense of businesses of all sizes in various casualty, product liability and catastrophic injury claims. This experience has rendered Eric a skilled and trusted courtroom litigator.

All of Eric’s clients are distinctive and he counsels each client on their individual needs. Eric has successfully prosecuted and defended breach of contract and fraud claims, defamation and trademark, copyright and unfair competition claims. He also regularly represents the interests of stakeholders in closely held businesses in breach of fiduciary duty cases and other shareholder oppression matters. Eric also focuses on class action defense, including representing employers in Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA) litigation and companies in false advertising claims, with experience in all phases from initial pleadings and discovery through disposition.

Eric provides counsel to clients of all sizes, from individuals to family businesses to international corporations, on brand protection and strategic trademark development in the United States and abroad. Eric has accumulated valuable experience prosecuting trademark applications before the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), with substantial experience navigating and responding to actions issued by the USPTO, and representing clients in inter partes proceedings before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board. On the litigation front, Eric also advises domestic and international companies in making decisions on enforcing and defending their rights in trademark infringement matters.

Eric’s practice also includes counseling on transactional matters, including corporate formation, financing structuring and contract drafting. Lastly, Eric has undertaken ad hoc pro bono projects for a local Chicago not-for-profit organization, assisting in intellectual property matters and general 501(c)(3) matters.

Practices

Intellectual Property Litigation and Transactional Services
Commercial Litigation and Business Disputes
Admiralty, Maritime and Transportation
Cannabis Law
Employment Litigation and Counseling
Entertainment and Media Law
Fire and Explosion Litigation
Product Liability

Memberships & Affiliations

  • Chicago Bar Association
  • Illinois State Bar Association

News

Chicago, St. Louis, December 27, 2023
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Names Three New Partners
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP is pleased to announce Stuart R. Sergeant, Eric J. Skwiat, and Clement D. Warr, Jr. have been elevated to partner, effective January 1, 2024.

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, September 21, 2017
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Client Obtains Summary Judgment in Copyright Case
The ruling granted Frenchy's summary judgment as defendant in an action brought by a former employee.

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.

  • Bar Admissions
  • Education
Share via Email
x
Recipient's Name: Enter the person or group's name to whom this page is going.
Recipient's Email: Enter up to five email addresses separated by a comma.
Your Name: Enter your name for recipient(s) to recognize and validate.
Your Email: Specify your email address so that recipients can respond directly.
Message:
Check this if you would also like to receive a copy of this page.