Francis R. Petrek, Jr.

Biography

Frank Petrek won his first jury trial in September 1978 in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, Law Division. He has represented physicians, healthcare providers, and major corporations in civil litigation matters for over forty years.

In addition to his local practice in the greater Chicago metropolitan area, he has served as national counsel and coordinating counsel to clients in toxic tort and product liability litigation throughout the United States. He has tried jury cases from New York to California, and serves as Senior Counsel on behalf of his clients.

Practices

Asbestos Litigation
General Trial Practice
Toxic Tort Litigation
Product Liability

Memberships & Affiliations

  • International Society of Barristers
    • Fellow, 2009-2019
    • Illinois Membership Chair, 2010-2013
  • Fellow, American College of Trial Lawyers
  • Advocate, American Board of Trial Advocates
    • President, Illinois Chapter, 2003 and 2004
    • National Board of Directors, 2005
  • Michigan State Bar Association, 1979-2019
  • American Bar Association, 1977-2021
  • Chicago Bar Association
  • Illinois State Bar Association, 1977-2021
  • Law Division of Circuit Court of Cook County, MMS Act Committee, 2008-2009

Awards

  • Named 2024 "Lawyer of the Year" by The Best Lawyers in America® for Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants, Chicago
  • Selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers of America®
    • Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants and Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants, 2023-2024
    • Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants, 2022
  • Selected for inclusion in Illinois Super Lawyers in 2006-2014, 2016-2018 in civil litigation defense
  • Selected for inclusion in the "Top 100" listing in Illinois Super Lawyers in 2007
  • Selected for inclusion in the Leading Lawyers Network
  • Martindale-Hubbell AV Peer Review Rated for over 25 years

Publications

  • "The Art of Retrial," Voir Dire, vol. 12, iss 3-4,6-11, Fall/Winter 2005
  • "A Defendant in a Medical Malpractice Suit: An Integral Part of the Defense Team," Pediatric Radiology, 28:905-912, 1998
  • "Daubert Has Not Altered the Role of Illinois Trial Judges as Gatekeeper of Competent Evidence," Illinois Association of Defense Counsel Conference, Galena, Illinois, 1994
  • "Defending Hospital Worker Ethylene Oxide Litigation," DRI's For The Defense, June 1992
  • "Managing Toxic Tort Litigation," DRI's For The Defense, July 1990. Reprinted DYB Liability Risk Insurance Journal, February 1991
  • "The Role of the Epidemiologist in Toxic Tort Litigation," National Association of Railroad Trial Counsel Annual Conference, Vancouver, British Columbia, 1988

Presentations

  • “Medical and Legal Ethics," Illinois Medical Society, Oak Brook and Northbrook, Illinois 2010
  • "Civil Practice Trial Tactics," Chicago Bar Association, Chicago, Illinois 2009
  • "Cross-Examination of Expert Witnesses," Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, Chicago, Illinois 2004
  • "Direct Examination of the Defendant," American Board of Trial Advocates, Masters in Trial, Nashville, Tennessee 2003

News

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.

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.

June 20, 2022
William Rogers Featured In ISBA Illinois Law Journal June 2022 Issue
Partner William Rogers was recently featured in the Illinois State Bar Association's Illinois Law Journal June 2022 Issue.

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, 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, 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, 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, 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, Libertyville, Madison County, January 26, 2018
Illinois Super Lawyers Recognizes 35 Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Attorneys
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP is proud to have 20 Super Lawyers and 14 Rising Stars among its attorneys.

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, January 16, 2017
Illinois Super Lawyers Recognizes 38 Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Attorneys
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP announces that 38 of its attorneys have been selected for inclusion in the 2017 Illinois Super Lawyers and Rising Stars lists.

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, January 13, 2016
Illinois Super Lawyers Recognizes 39 Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Attorneys
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP announces that 39 of its attorneys have been selected for inclusion in the 2015 Illinois Super Lawyers and Rising Stars lists.

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, October 17, 2014
Wills Inducted Into American Board of Trial Advocates
Wills joins several other Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP who are also ABOTA members.

Chicago, January 13, 2014
Illinois Super Lawyers Recognizes 39 Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Attorneys
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP announces that 39 of its attorneys have been selected for inclusion in the 2014 Illinois Super Lawyers and Rising Stars lists.

Chicago, August 29, 2013
Rogers Named Fellow of International Society of Barristers
The ISOB brings together the best of the trial bar without partisan interests.

Chicago, January 3, 2013
Illinois Super Lawyers Recognizes 39 Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Attorneys
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP announces that 39 of its attorneys have been selected for inclusion in the 2013 Illinois Super Lawyers and Rising Stars lists.

Chicago, January 3, 2012
Illinois Super Lawyers Recognizes 34 Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Attorneys
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP announces that 23 of its attorneys were recognized as Illinois Super Lawyers, while 11 others were recognized as Rising Stars.

October 29, 2010
American College of Trial Lawyers Admits Ninth Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Attorney
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Partner Robert M. Collins has become a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, one of the premier legal associations in America.

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