Biography

Margaret O’Sullivan Byrne is a Partner at Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP in Chicago. She has served as the Chair of firm’s Asbestos Litigation Committee and for many years served as the Co-Chair of the firms’ Associate Committee, where she mentored many young attorneys in their professional development. Peggy has been defending tort claims in a variety of areas since 1989, including personal injury, product liability, lead paint, lead-containing products, benzene, silica, and asbestos litigation. She has served as local counsel, national trial counsel, and national coordinating counsel for various clients, including manufacturers, distributors, designers, engineers, contractors, premises owners, trade associations, suppliers, and retailers. She has tried cases in state and federal courts from California to Florida and has managed litigation in over 40 states. Peggy has previously held positions as Senior Trial Attorney at a major insurance company and Assistant General Counsel at a Fortune 500 U.S. corporation. She is a frequent speaker on litigation management and trial skills and has authored numerous papers on these topics. Peggy is a graduate of the DePaul University College of Law.

Practices

Asbestos Litigation
General Trial Practice
Toxic Tort Litigation
Construction
Product Liability

Memberships & Affiliations

• Defense Research Institute
• Irish Fellowship Club of Chicago, Board of Directors

Awards

• Selected for inclusion in Leading Lawyers, 2024-2025
• Selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America®
  • Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Defendants and Product Liability Litigation – Defendants, 2023-2024
  • Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Defendants, 2021-2022

Presentations

• “How to Get the Business: A Conversation with Givers and Getters,” Women’s Bar Association of Illinois Seminar, Chicago, Illinois 2015
• "Occupational Bystander  – Defending the Case with Toxicology," DRI Asbestos Medicine Seminar, Miami, Florida 2012
• "Premises Liability  – This Land is Your Land...," 15^th Annual National Asbestos Litigation Conference, Emerging Issues for the Most Active Jurisdictions, Chicago, Illinois 2012 
• “Current Outlook and Emerging Trends,” 4th Annual Emerging Trends in Asbestos Litigation Conference, Chicago, Illinois 2011
• “The Ins and Outs of the Premises Liability Cases: How To Win Your Case On Either Side – The Defense Perspective,” Andrews Asbestos Litigation Conference, New Orleans, Louisiana 2009
• Co-Chair, Andrews Asbestos Litigation Conference, New Orleans, Louisiana 2007
• “The Ultimate Point: How Different Approaches to Trial Can Each Be the Winning One – A Panel on Opening Statements,” Andrews Asbestos Litigation Conference, New Orleans, Louisiana 2005
• “Proven Trial Strategies: The Defense Perspective,” Mealey’s Asbestos Premises Liability Conference, Pasadena, California 2004
• “Putting The Empty Chair In Play: Proving Shares and Product ID,” DRI Asbestos Medicine Seminar, Miami, Florida 2003
• “Effective Management of Toxic Tort Litigation – Defense Perspective,” Mealey’s Practical Skills Series Toxic Tort Litigation Conference, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 2003
• “New Strategies for New Defendants in the Asbestos Litigation: How Not To Press the Panic Button,” Andrews Asbestos Litigation Conference, New Orleans, Louisiana 2002
• “Effective Trial Skills – From Jury Selection to Closing Arguments – Defense Perspective,” Andrews Publications Essential Skills On Asbestos Litigation Conference, Washington, District of Columbia 2000

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, Lisle, Libertyville, St. Louis, Madison County, Indiana, Kansas City, 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, 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.

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, 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.