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.
Complete list of award recipients below:
Leading Lawyers
- John P. Arranz– Data Privacy, Environmental Law, Toxic Torts Defense Law
- Ross W. Bartolotta– Commercial Litigation, Creditor's Rights/Commercial Collections Law
- Jeffery S. Becker– Arts, Entertainment & Sports Law, Intellectual Property Law
- Brian W. Bell– Commercial Litigation, Products Liability Defense Law, Professional Malpractice Defense Law: Including Legal/Technical/Financial
- Kevin V. Boyle– Personal Injury Defense Law: General, Products Liability Defense Law, Professional Malpractice Defense Law: Including Legal/Technical/Financial
- Elizabeth A. Bruer– Medical Malpractice Defense Law, Products Liability Defense Law
- Margaret O’Sullivan Byrne– Class Action/Mass Tort Defense Law, Toxic Torts Defense Law
- David J. Cahill– Insurance, Insurance Coverage & Reinsurance Law, Medical Malpractice Defense Law, Personal Injury Defense Law: General
- Patrick G. Cooke– Commercial Litigation
- Steven E. Danekas– Medical Malpractice Defense Law, Products Liability Defense Law
- Adam H. Doeringer– Products Liability Defense Law, Toxic Torts Defense Law
- Michael W. Drumke– Class Action/Mass Tort Defense Law, Products Liability Defense Law, Toxic Torts Defense Law
- John. J Duffy– Medical Malpractice Defense Law, Personal Injury Defense Law: General, Products Liability Defense Law, Professional Malpractice Defense Law: Including Legal/Technical/Financial
- Robert E. Elworth– Civil Appellate Law, Insurance, Insurance Coverage & Reinsurance Law
- P. Stephen Fardy– Copyright & Trademark Law, Intellectual Property Law, Trade Secrets/Unfair Competition Law
- George F. Fitzpatrick, Jr.– Commercial Litigation, Products Liability Defense Law, Real Estate Law: Commercial, Toxic Torts Defense Law
- David S. Goles– Commercial Litigation, Land Use, Zoning & Condemnation Law
- John Gollwitzer– Toxic Torts Defense Law
- James R. Grabowski – Personal Injury Defense Law: General, Products Liability Defense Law, Toxic Torts Defense Law
- William P. Gruebel, III– Personal Injury Defense Law: General, Class Action/ Mass Tort Defense Law, Medical Malpractice Defense Law
- Derrick L. Haddox– Commercial Litigation, Creditor’s Rights/ Commercial Collections Law, Toxic Torts Defense Law
- James S. Harkness– Commercial Litigation
- Elizabeth S. Harvey– Environmental Law, Toxic Torts Defense Law
- McRay, Judge, II– Toxic Torts Defense Law
- David A. Kanter– Products Liability Defense Law, Toxic Torts Defense Law
- David E. Kawala– Products Liability Defense Law, Transportation Defense Law: Including Aviation/FELA/Maritime, Toxic Torts Defense Law
- Joseph P. Kincaid– Class Action/Mass Tort Defense Law, Commercial Litigation, Creditor's Rights/Commercial Collections Law, Real Estate Law: Commercial
- A. Jay Koehler– Construction Law, Insurance, Insurance Coverage & Reinsurance Law, Products Liability Defense Law, Toxic Torts Defense Law
- Andrew A. Lothson – Class Action/Mass Tort Defense Law, Commercial Litigation
- Michael A. McCaskey – Commercial Litigation, Products Liability Defense Law
- Anthony J. Monaco– Personal Injury Defense Law: General, Products Liability Defense Law
- David F. Pardys– Closely & Privately Held Business Law, Commercial Litigation, Land Use, Zoning & Condemnation Law
- William D. Patterson– Arts, Entertainment & Sports Law, Class Action/Mass Tort Defense Law Commercial Litigation, Copyright & Trademark Law, Trade Secrets/Unfair Competition Law
- Gary C. Pinter– Personal Injury Defense Law: General, Products Liability Defense Law, Toxic Torts Defense Law
- Arthur J. Reliford, Jr.– Civil Rights/Constitutional Law, Commercial Litigation, Personal Injury Defense Law: General
- Kristine C. Reveille– Medical Malpractice Defense Law, Professional Malpractice Defense Law: Including Legal/Technical/Financial
- Stephanie Rifkind– Toxic Torts Defense Law
- William J. Rogers– Commercial Litigation, Medical Malpractice Defense Law, Personal Injury Defense Law: General, Products Liability Defense Law, Toxic Torts Defense Law
- Drew M. Schilling– Products Liability Defense Law, Toxic Torts Defense Law
- Christopher T. Sheean– Commercial Litigation, Copyright & Trademark Law
- Allison K. Sonneveld– Personal Injury Defense Law: General, Products Liability Defense Law, Toxic Torts Defense Law
- Charles S. Stahl, Jr.– Bankruptcy & Workout Law: Commercial, Creditor's Rights/Commercial Collections Law
- Susan E. Sullivan– Civil Rights/Constitutional Law, Governmental, Municipal, Lobbying & Administrative Law, Medical Malpractice Defense Law, Professional Malpractice Defense Law: Including Legal/Technical/Financial
- Richard P. Tauras– Toxic Torts Defense Law
- Aiju C. Thevatheril– Medical Malpractice Defense Law, Professional Malpractice Defense Law: Including Legal/Technical/Financial
- Bernard J. Toussaint, III– Closely & Privately Held Business Law, Commercial Litigation, Real Estate Law: Commercial, Trust, Will & Estate Planning Law
- James B. Vogts– Commercial Litigation, Products Liability Defense Law, Trade Secrets/Unfair Competition Law
- Michelle M. Wahl– Arts, Entertainment & Sports Law, Copyright & Trademark Law, Toxic Torts Defense Law
- Shera D. Wiegler– Medical Malpractice Defense Law
- Dale G. Wills– Products Liability Defense Law
Emerging Lawyers
- Jessica Levitt Acuna – Medical Malpractice Defense Law
- Daniel J. Cozzi –Professional Malpractice Defense Law: Including Legal/Technical/Financial
- Nicolette A. Ward –Personal Injury Defense Law: General, Products Liability Defense Law
Recognition by the Leading Lawyers Network is based on an extensive statewide survey of Illinois attorneys, which includes an ethics review and final approval from the advisory board of more than 400 members. Only those lawyers who receive the highest number of recommendations from their peers in nearly 100 areas of law achieve the distinction of being named a “Leading Lawyer.” This honor is awarded to less than 5% of attorneys in Illinois.
Additionally, the “Emerging Lawyers” distinction is awarded to less than 2% of all licensed lawyers in Illinois. To qualify for this recognition, lawyers must be under the age of 40 or have been practicing for less than 10 years. Learn more about Leading Lawyers.
