Professional Liability

We understand that professionals don't take negligence allegations lightly. They demand an experienced lawyer to defend them. Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP lawyers have decades of combined experience representing professionals in a variety of proceedings. We aggressively investigate the dispute and work closely with the client to ensure we are the most informed lawyers involved in the case. If necessary, we research the experts in the field and hire them to consult confidentially with us. Our lawyers help many different kinds of professionals in litigation, disciplinary, and licensing proceedings, including the following:

Attorneys
Debt collectors
Accountants
Directors and Officers
Banking / Financial professionals
Insurance agents
Architects
Engineers
Contractors and construction managers
Police officers and municipal officials
Clergy
Educational professionals
Property managers

Everything we do is with a possible trial in mind. Trial experience is the hallmark of Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP, a nationally recognized litigation firm. Lawyers with the firm have tried hundreds of cases to verdict in a wide variety of disputes. Many large corporations and prestigious institutions retain the firm in jurisdictions across the United States.

While trial expertise is what distinguishes Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP from other firms, our lawyers also recognize that many clients prefer to stay outside of the courtroom. Our lawyers create avenues to dispose and resolve of cases short of trial. We understand that litigation is often expensive and a drain on financial and human resources. With these realities always in mind, Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP lawyers listen to our clients in an effort to resolve cases efficiently, and with the client’s interests and preferences always understood and followed. We will always be ready to try the case—but we also know how to resolve a case before it ever gets that far.

Our lawyers also counsel professionals on avoiding risk. We lecture frequently at local law schools and bar associations concerning professional liability issues, and often present at risk management seminars. We understand the various types of risks and work together with professionals to develop a plan for keeping them out of the courtroom.

Please contact Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP for more information about our experience helping professionals.

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, February 06, 2024
Reliford, Horan & Sullivan Obtain Not Guilty Verdict in High-Stakes Paramedic Malpractice Case
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP attorneys Arthur J. Reliford, Jr., Kevin P. Horan and Susan E. Sullivan obtained a defense verdict after a two week trial on behalf of their clients, The City of Chicago and two city paramedics, in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois.

Chicago, September 13, 2023
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Welcomes Two Lateral Associates
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP welcomes two lateral associates to its Chicago office.

Chicago, August 29, 2023
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Welcomes Two Associates
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP welcomes two associates to its Chicago office: Caroline A. Keig and Michael J. Weinstein.

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.

June 15, 2023
Kawala Named 2023 BTI Client Service All-Star MVP
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP partner David E. Kawala has been named to The BTI Consulting Group's 2023 Client Service All-Stars.

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.

Chicago, St. Louis, November 4, 2021
Best Lawyers Names Mass Tort Litigation, Environmental, Product Liability Practices to Annual List
Published by U.S. News and World Report and Best Lawyers, the firm once again received a National Tier 1 ranking for Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Defendants, as well as a National Tier 3 ranking for Litigation – Environmental.

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, July 6, 2021
Weiler Receives Law Bulletin Media's Top 50 Women in Law Honor
Weiler is one of 50 honorees chosen for her work to mentor and promote other women in the profession, her success in the legal community and being a shining example of leadership.

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, February 27, 2020
Law360 Profiles New Lateral Partner John Duffy
Duffy shared with Law360 that he "is excited for the bigger footprint that his new firm would provide..." and "emphasized Swanson Martin's 'national reputation of trying cases, including difficult ones involving product manufacturers or professionals.'"

Chicago, February 20, 2020
Legal Malpractice and Product Liability Partner Joins Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP
Duffy's practice focuses on the defense of attorneys and law firms accused of malpractice or accused of ethical violations.

Chicago, Indiana, October 6, 2017
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Opens Indiana Office
The trial firm, which celebrates 25 years in business in 2017, already boasts more than 130 attorneys between its downtown Chicago headquarters and its other offices in Illinois and Missouri.

Chicago, October 2, 2017
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Celebrates 25th Anniversary, Continued Growth
In recognition of its 25th anniversary year, Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP has made a monthly donation to a non-profit with whom the firm has a strong relationship.

Chicago, November 2, 2016
Appellate Court Affirms Dismissal of Professional Negligence Claim
Partners William J. Rogers and Catherine Basque Weiler successfully persuaded the appellate court to affirm the dismissal.

Chicago, March 22, 2016
McGovern, Wills Earn Appellate Victory in Legal Malpractice Case
The Chicago Daily Law Bulletin included a front-page article on the result.

Chicago, May 5, 2015
McCaskey Elected to State Bar of Wisconsin's Non-Resident Lawyer Division's Board of Directors for
The Nonresident Lawyers Division provides nonresident members opportunities for participation in the governance of the State Bar.

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