Biography
Jessica Levitt Acuna is a partner in the firm’s Chicago office and is a member of the Medical Negligence and Healthcare Practice Group. Over the past decade, she has devoted her practice to the defense of hospitals, physicians, nurses, and other healthcare providers in medical malpractice lawsuits. She also represents clients in other general tort matters including premises liability cases.
For the last several years, Jessica has served as a co-chair of the firm’s Medical Negligence and Healthcare Practice Group. Prior to joining Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP, Jessica worked at a civil litigation defense firm where she gained significant experience defending clients in medical malpractice and other general negligence actions. During law school, Jessica worked as a judicial extern to Judge Joseph S. Van Bokkelen of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Indiana. She also served as the Notes and Comments Editor for the Valparaiso University Law Review. Jessica received her undergraduate degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign where she was a member of the University of Illinois Women’s Soccer Team. Jessica remains active as an endurance athlete and has completed four Ironman triathlons to date.
Practices
Medical Negligence and Healthcare
General Trial Practice
Product Liability
Memberships & Affiliations
- Chicago Bar Association
- Chicago Healthcare Risk Management Society
Awards
- Selected for inclusion in Best Lawyers of America: Ones to Watch, 2021-2024
- Selected for inclusion in Illinois Super Lawyers - Rising Stars Edition, 2016-2024
Publications
- Competing Rights Under the Totality of the Circumstances Test: Expanding DNA Collection Statutes,46 Val. U. L. Rev. 117 (2012).
News
Chicago, September 10, 2024
Levitt Acuna Named to 2024 Law Bulletin Media's 40 Under Forty List
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP partner Jessica Levitt Acuna was named to Law Bulletin Media's "40 Under Forty" list for 2024.
Chicago, Lisle, Libertyville, St. Louis, Madison County, Indiana, Kansas, August 15, 2024
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Attorneys Named to 2025 Best Lawyers, Ones to Watch Lists
Fifty-six Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP attorneys were named to the 2025 Best Lawyers in America® and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America® lists. In addition, Partners Michael W. Drumke and Gary C. Pinter were recognized as "Lawyer of the Year" in their respective practice areas.
Chicago, March 12, 2024
Danekas, Acuna and Slovis Obtain Defense Verdict In High-Stakes Medical Malpractice Case
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP attorneys Steven E. Danekas, Jessica Levitt Acuna and Ryan M. Slovis secured a defense verdict on behalf of their clients, two cardiologists, in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois.
February 19, 2024
Acuna Named to Crain's 2024 Notable Women in Law List
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP is pleased to announce that partner Jessica Levitt Acuna has been named to Crain's Chicago Business 2024 Notable Women in Law list.
Chicago, Libertyville, January 25, 2024
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Attorneys Named 2024 Illinois Super Lawyers & Rising Stars
Swanson Martin & Bell LLP is proud to announce that 15 of the firm's attorneys have been honored as 2024 Illinois Super Lawyers® and Rising Stars.
Chicago, October 23, 2023
Bruer and Acuna Obtain Defense Verdict In Medical Malpractice Case
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP attorneys Elizabeth A. Bruer and Jessica Levitt Acuna secured a defense verdict at trial on behalf of their client, a prominent hospital, in the Circuit Court of DuPage County, Illinois.
September 26, 2023
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Sponsors Duly Health and Care Charitable Fund Fundraiser
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP and partners Elizabeth A. Bruer, Marie K. Lynch, and Jessica Levitt Acuna are proud to sponsor the "Care Affair Uncorked" fundraiser hosted by the Duly Health and Care Charitable Fund on October 7 in Glen Ellyn, Illinois.
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.
May 08, 2023
Thevatheril and Acuna Obtain Defense Verdict In Medical Malpractice Case
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP attorneys Aiju C. Thevatheril and Jessica Levitt Acuna secured a defense verdict at trial on behalf of their client, a retired OBGYN, in the Circuit Court of Will County, Illinois.
January 30, 2023
Danekas, Acuna Obtain Defense Verdict In Medical Malpractice Case
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP attorneys Steven E. Danekas and Jessica Levitt Acuna secured a defense verdict at trial on behalf of their client, an electrophysiologist, in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois.
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, January 18, 2021
Three Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Attorneys Named Partner
Jessica Levitt Acuna, Jack A. Gould and Jonna McGinley Reilly have all been named partner.
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, January 30, 2020
Illinois Super Lawyers Recognizes 25 Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Attorneys
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP announces that 12 attorneys were named to the 2020 Illinois Super Lawyers list and another 13 were named to the 2020 Illinois Rising Stars list.
Chicago, Libertyville, St. Louis, January 28, 2019
Illinois Super Lawyers Recognizes 29 Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Attorneys
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP is proud to have 14 Super Lawyers and 15 Rising Stars in 2019.
Chicago, October 10, 2018
Chicago Lawyer Magazine Names Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Case "One of Three Best Defense Wins" of 2018
Per the Chicago Lawyer article, "experts independently concluded that Hampton died from a viral myocarditis. The plaintiff attorneys did not collect on any of the $11 million they requested after the jury deliberated for about two hours."
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.
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.
October 27, 2016
Levitt Completes Second Ironman Long-Distance Triathlon
The competition consists of a 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike race and a marathon, raced in that order without a break.
October 27, 2016
SMB Recognized for “Outstanding Defense Verdict in a Medical Malpractice Case”
Aiju C. Thevatheril, Elizabeth A. Bruer and Jessica A. Levitt received a Trial Lawyer Excellence Award at this month’s Jury Verdict Reporter Awards.
April 18, 2016
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Receives Not Guilty Verdict in Medical Malpractice Defense Case
The plaintiff's attorney asked the jury for $77 - $85 million before the not guilty verdict.
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.
October 24, 2014
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP's Indiana Practice, New Attorneys Highlighted in Chicago Daily Law Bulletin Article
With an increasing workload in the Hoosier State, Swanson, Martin & Bell LLP has added a lateral partner and four lateral associates over the past five months.
October 21, 2014
Lateral Partner, Four Lateral Associates Join Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP
All five attorneys practice in Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP's Chicago office.