Biography
Robert is a partner in the Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP’s St. Louis office. He is licensed to practice law in Illinois and Missouri; the Federal District Courts for the Eastern and Western Districts of Missouri and the Southern District of Illinois; and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit. Robert has extensive experience representing companies and individuals in a variety of matters. Robert has defended clients in toxic tort, product liability, premises liability and workers compensation in both Missouri and Illinois. Robert combines his in-depth knowledge of multiple jurisdictions with effective defense strategies in order to provide his clients with exceptional representation. Additionally, Robert is a court-approved mediator in the Twenty-Second Judicial Circuit for the City of St. Louis.Practices
Asbestos Litigation
General Trial Practice
Insurance
Mediation Practice
Product Liability
Toxic Tort Litigation
Data Protection and Information Privacy
Memberships & Affiliations
- Missouri Bar Association
- Illinois State Bar Association
- Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis
- Missouri Organization of Defense Lawyers
- Graduate, 2015 John L. Oliver, Jr. Trial Academy
Awards
- Selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America®
- Product Liability Litigation – Defendants, 2024
Publications
- “Recent Personal Jurisdiction Decision in St. Louis City, Missouri Limits the Use of a Registered Agent to Establish Personal Jurisdiction,” Trial Tested Blog, November 10, 2016
- “Will Cancers From “Vaping” Be the Next Toxic Tort?,” Trial Tested Blog, August 26, 2016
- “Genetic Mutation Defense in Asbestos Cases,” Trial Tested Blog, March 7, 2016
- “Illinois Supreme Court Upholds the Exclusive Remedy Provisions of the Workers’ Compensation Act and the Workers’ Occupational Diseases Act in Asbestos Related Diseases,” Trial Tested Blog, November 7, 2015
- “Personal Jurisdiction Considerations in Missouri & Illinois after Daimler AG v. Bauman, 134 S. Ct. 746 (2014),” Trial Tested Blog, September 1, 2015
- “Updates To Illinois Personal Jurisdiction Law After In re Plavix Related Cases and its Applicability to Illinois Asbestos Cases,” Trial Tested Blog, September 28, 2014
- “New Amendments to the Missouri Workers’ Compensation Act Impact Asbestos Litigation,” Trial Tested Blog, April 7, 2014
- Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996 (U.S.),” The Encyclopedia of Immigrant Health, New York: Springer. (Expected Publish Date 2012)
- “Medicaid,” Mental Health Practitioner’s Guide to HIV/AIDS, New York: Springer (Expected Publication Date 2013)
- “Medicare,” Mental Health Practitioner’s Guide to HIV/AIDS, New York: Springer (Expected Publication Date 2013)
- “Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,” Mental Health Practitioner’s Guide to HIV/AIDS, New York: Springer (Expected Publication Date 2013).
- “European Union,” The Encyclopedia of Immigrant Health, New York: Springer (Expected Publish Date 2012)
- “Red Cross,” The Encyclopedia of Immigrant Health, New York: Springer (Expected Publish Date 2012)
- “Travel and Travel Health,” The Encyclopedia of Immigrant Health, New York: Springer (Expected Publish Date 2012)
News
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.
St. Louis, April 30, 2024
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP to Participate in the 2024 St. Louis Sports Commission's Biz Dash 5k
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP is proud to participate in the St. Louis Sports Commission's Annual Biz Dash 5k on May 9 in St. Louis, Missouri.
October 18, 2023
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Partners Sponsor American Heart Association's Counsel for a Cause
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Partners John P. Arranz, Ross W. Bartolotta, Steven E. Danekas, Michael W. Drumke, P. Stephen Fardy, George F. Fitzpatrick, Jr., McRay Judge, Timothy G. Nickels, John J. O'Sullivan, David F. Pardys, Gary C. Pinter, T. Allon Renfro, Kristine C. Reveille, Christopher T. Sheean, Robert W. Stephens and Marcie J. Vantine are proud sponsors of the American Heart Association’s (AHA) 8th Annual Chicago Counsel for a Cause event on October 19.
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.
St. Louis, May 03, 2022
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Sponsors The Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis's Annual Law Day Event
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP proudly sponsored The Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis's (BAMSL) annual Law Day and awards ceremony on May 2
Chicago, January 5, 2022
Four Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Associates Named Partner
Three practice in the Chicago office, while the fourth practices in the St. Louis office.
Chicago, St. Louis, July 20, 2021
Skiko, Stephens Address Contractual Provisions That Can Hinder Litigation
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP is the founding and sole sponsor of the new Litigation Practice Area Network.
Chicago, July 16, 2021
Entertainment and Media Law Newsletter: NCAA Allows Student-Athletes to Profit Off Name, Image and Likeness
The newsletter shares more detail on the NCAA's new interim policy that allows student-athletes to monetize their name, image and likeness.
Chicago, May 6, 2021
Kincaid, Stephens Successfully Defend Client in Alleged Fraud Claim
The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri granted Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP's client's motion to dismiss based on forum non conveniens enforcing the forum selection clause contained in the underlying contract.
Chicago, St. Louis, April 14, 2021
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Sponsors ACC St. Louis Litigation Seminar on Post-Pandemic Litigation
The panel will offer thoughts on how litigators will see their workday change or return to pre-pandemic practices, as well as ways courts will be affected and what new challenges litigators may face.
Chicago, St. Louis, February 28, 2019
Illinois Supreme Court Recognizes Wahl, Attorneys for Participation in Mentoring Program
Run by the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism, the Lawyer-to-Lawyer Mentoring Program creates opportunities for experienced lawyers to provide professional guidance with lawyers in their early years of practice.
Chicago, St. Louis, February 20, 2018
Illinois Supreme Court Recognizes Wahl, Attorneys for Participation in Mentoring Program
Run by the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism, the Lawyer-to-Lawyer Mentoring Program creates opportunities for experienced lawyers to provide professional guidance with lawyers in their early years of practice.
Chicago, St. Louis, Madison County, June 6, 2017
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Grows St. Louis, Madison County Offices With Lateral Additions
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP welcomes four lateral attorneys to add more strength and expertise in the firm’s Toxic Tort Litigation, Asbestos Litigation and Product Liability.
