SWANSON MARTIN & BELL - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Partner
- Named Vice Chair of Fidelity and Surety Leadership Committee
Aaron G. Weishaar is a partner in the St. Louis office of Swanson Martin & Bell, LLP. Prior to joining Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP, Aaron was principal and officer of Reinert Weishaar & Associates, P.C. in St. Louis.
Aaron represents a wide range of clients, from large national surety companies and international corporations to local businesses, and individuals. His practice primarily emphasizes fidelity and surety bond claims and litigation, trusts and estates, business and commercial litigation and construction law. Aaron has been selected on several occasions to Super Lawyers as a "Rising Star" in Missouri. Aaron is also active in a variety of professional and civic associations including the St. Louis Surety Association, Associated General Contractors of America (ACG) of Missouri, and Regional Union Construction Center. In addition, Aaron is a volunteer advocate for the St. Louis Metropolitan Tribunal in the Archdiocese of St. Louis.
Aaron is a native of the St. Louis area and lives in South St. Louis City in the St. Louis Hills Neighborhood with his wife and three children where they are active in their community.
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Partner Aaron G. Weishaar has been named Vice Chair of Defense Research Institute's (DRI) Fidelity and Surety Committee for 2022-2023.
Job Titles:
- Partner 312 - 923 - 8257 Athevath@Smbtrials.Com Download VCard
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- Distinguished Student Award, Valparaiso University Alumni Association, 2013
Job Titles:
- Partner
- Partner at Swanson
Allison K. Sonneveld is a partner at Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP's Madison County office. Allison concentrates her practice on litigation with an emphasis in asbestos, toxic tort, products liability and premises liability matters. Allison manages multiple clients in both premises and products manufacturer asbestos matters. Allison acts as National Coordinating Counsel for a multi-national corporation coordinating the defense of the corporation's asbestos docket nationwide. She has experience defending industrial and commercial premises owners, as well as manufacturers for a wide range of products including friction/automotive, aircraft and industrial equipment. Allison has also handled claims involving alleged exposures to benzene, diacetyl and welding rods, as well as explosions, fire and product defect claims, as well as commercial litigation.
Allison has managed all asbestos of litigation including motion practice, complex written discovery, expert discovery, arguing motions and negotiating settlements. She has extensive deposition experience and has hundreds of fact witnesses over the course of her career. Prior to joining Swanson, Martin & Bell, Allison worked for law firms located in St. Louis metropolitan area, including an AmLaw100 firm for 10+ years.
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Associate at Swanson
Anthony Badami is an associate at Swanson, Martin, & Bell working in the product liability and class action defense spaces. He has worked on complex, multidistrict litigation involving large manufacturing companies, automobile makers, pharmaceutical benefit managers, credit card processors, and civil suits against municipalities and states.
Job Titles:
- Partner
- Partner 312 - 923 - 8244 Amonaco@Smbtrials.Com Download VCard
April concentrates her practice in the areas of product liability, premises liability, and toxic tort litigation. She has represented major vehicle, machine and chemical manufacturers and distributors in catastrophic injury claims, as well as small business owners and prisoners on pro bono basis. She is responsible for defense strategy and implementation including the evaluation and early disposition of claims to control costs.
April has experience handling all aspects of litigation and is regularly involved in accident scene investigations, medical and expert discovery, complex and dispositive motion practice, trial preparation, and alternative dispute resolution.
Job Titles:
- Partner
- Senior Partner at Swanson
Arthur J. Reliford, Jr. is a senior partner at Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP. As a general litigator, Art has successfully represented as lead and co-counsel a variety of professionals, businesses, major corporations and municipalities in state and federal courts across the country. He concentrates his practice in the areas of commercial litigation, professional negligence, and complex civil litigation. He has tried as lead and co-trial counsel a variety of jury trials, bench trials and arbitrations to verdict, and handled mediations. Art is actively involved in the management of the firm as chair of the firm's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee and as a member of the firm's Associates Committee.
Reliford aims to bring an additional perspective and commitment to academics to the CICS Board of Directors.
Bernard J. Toussaint has been advising clients for over 30 years in the areas of commercial real estate, corporate law, complex business matters and commercial loan transactions. He also counsels clients on their estate planning needs and handles decedents' estates and trust administration.
Bonnie Kelly is an associate in the Chicago office focusing on Asbestos Litigation, Toxic Tort Litigation and Product Liability. She received her J.D. in 2020 from the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law (formerly known as The John Marshall Law School) and her B.S. in 2015 from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. At John Marshall, she served as a member of the Moot Court Honors Council, the Celtic Law Association, and as a T.A. for Civil Procedure.
Job Titles:
- Associate 312 - 766 - 0071 Bbaccega@Smbtrials.Com Download VCard
Job Titles:
- Partner
- Founding Partner of Swanson
Brian W. Bell is a founding partner of Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP, a firm formed by nine partners who left a large Chicago law firm to better serve the needs of their clients. Over the last three decades, Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP has become a dynamic litigation powerhouse employing more than 100 lawyers.
Brian has a broad range of trial experience. He has tried cases involving contracts, fiduciary duties and professional liability involving lawyers, accountants and other professionals, guarantees, lender liability, product liability and toxic tort in many states throughout the country. He regularly handles cases and manages litigation in forums sometimes referred to as "Judicial Hellholes." He is licensed and actively practices in Illinois, Indiana and Missouri.
He has represented many of the prominent manufacturers of automobile and industrial equipment in product liability and commercial cases. He has also recovered millions of dollars for clients in multiple actions where his client was entitled to damages or other relief. Brian has been retained by his peers in other Chicago-based law firms relating to a wide variety of professional disputes.
Brian also has served for many years as a hearing officer for the Illinois Attorney Registration & Disciplinary Commission, the regulatory body that is responsible for the discipline of attorneys in the State of Illinois.
Bruce Terlep was a partner at Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP since its inception in 1992. Prior to his passing in May 2017, Bruce represented several automotive manufacturers on a national and regional basis in products and commercial matters. Bruce was frequently called in by his clients to try matters across the country in both state and federal courts; he litigated matters in approximately 30 jurisdictions and went to trial in over 15 states. In addition, Bruce regularly counseled his clients on legislative and statutory compliance concerning consumer-related issues. Bruce also was asked on numerous occasions to speak at industry meetings across the country on trends and strategies affecting the automotive industry. It is a reflection of Bruce's fine mentorship and examples he set that his partners continue to represent and counsel his clients and others in the industry.
With much sadness, Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP announces the death of equity partner Bruce S. Terlep. Terlep, a partner in the firm ™s Lisle, Ill. office, passed away suddenly last week.
Bryan E. Rogers is a partner in the firm's Chicago office where he focuses his practice on General Trial Practice, Construction Litigation, and Insurance. Licensed to practice in Illinois and Indiana, he has represented clients in state, federal, and multidistrict litigation. Growing up, Bryan worked in the construction industry, specifically for small to midsize roofing and construction contractors.
Prior to joining Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP, Bryan worked at a Northwest Indiana law firm where he defended health care providers and attorneys in medical negligence and professional liability claims. He also served as local counsel in a variety of other civil litigation matters. Bryan is also extensively involved in the American Bar Association having served as a member of the ABA Board of Governors and a Young Lawyers Division "Emerging Leader."
Bryan has been representing attorneys in professional liability claims and bar matters in Illinois for almost two decades. Prior to joining Swanson, Martin & Bell, Bryan worked in-house at two different legal malpractice insurance carriers, in one position directly managing claims and in the other representing insureds of the carrier. Thus, Bryan has intricate knowledge of the defense of legal malpractice actions from the prospective of the handling attorney and the insurance carrier. Before going in-house, Bryan worked at several well-known defense firms handling professional liability matters.
C. Matt Alva is a partner at the firm's Chicago office. He concentrates his practice in civil litigation, notably in product and premise liability, construction and toxic tort matters. Matt also defends businesses in Commercial Litigation and Business Disputes. At Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP, Matt serves as co-chair of the Diversity Committee and a member of the Recruiting Committee.
Prior to joining Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP, Matt gained extensive experience defending employers in toxic tort, product liability and workers' compensation matters. Outside of the office, Matt is active in his local community, through the Ravinia Neighbors Association, and enjoys spending time with his wife and two daughters.
Caitlin Barry is an associate in the firm's Chicago Office. She is a member of the Product Liability and Medical Negligence and Healthcare Practice Groups. She concentrates her practice in the representation of automotive, material handling and other product manufacturers in the defense of product liability actions. A substantial portion of Caitlin's practice is devoted to the defenses of businesses of all sizes in various casualty and catastrophic injury claims. Her practice also includes commercial litigation and business disputes, class action defense, construction, medical malpractice and general tort liability.
Prior to joining Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP, Caitlin clerked at a Chicago law firm where she gained extensive experience defending clients through all stages of litigation in a broad range of consumer financial service, banking and commercial disputes. During law school at DePaul University College of Law, Caitlin was the Associate Editor of Notes and Comments for the DePaul Law Review and was a member of the student bar association.
Caitlin practices in both Illinois state and federal court, and federal courts in Wisconsin and Indiana. She is admitted to practice before the United States District Courts for the Northern, Central and Southern Districts of Illinois, the Western District of Wisconsin and the Southern District of Indiana.
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Attorney
- Adjunct Professor in Trial Advocacy at Loyola University Chicago School of Law
Caroline Keig is an associate attorney in the firm's Chicago office and is a member of the Medical Negligence and Healthcare practice group. She concentrates her practice in the representation of hospitals, physicians, physician groups, nurses, and other healthcare providers in the defense of medical malpractice actions from pre-suit investigation to trial.
Prior to joining Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP, Caroline worked at a Chicago civil litigation defense firm for five years where she gained significant experience defending clients in medical malpractice actions. She has extensive experience in all stages of discovery, and has received several verdicts for the defense in medical malpractice jury trials in Cook County as second chair trial counsel.
Caroline currently serves as an Adjunct Professor in Trial Advocacy at Loyola University Chicago School of Law for the Philip H. Corboy Trial Advocacy Fellowship, teaching trial skills and evidence to program fellows to help them prepare for national mock trial competitions.
Job Titles:
- Partner
- Co - Founder of the Creditors' Rights and Bankruptcy Practice Group at Swanson
Charles S. Stahl, Jr. is a co-founder of the Creditors' Rights and Bankruptcy Practice Group at Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP. Since 1982, Charlie has concentrated his practice on representing debtors, creditors' committees, secured lenders, landlords, lessors and taxing bodies in Chapter 11 cases under the United States Bankruptcy Code and in out-of-court debt restructuring arrangements through the United States. His insolvency and commercial litigation practice has included fraudulent transfer and preferential transfer actions, state court foreclosure proceedings, Ponzi scheme shams and mechanics lien issues.
Christian concentrates his practice on a wide variety of warranty and consumer-related matters in the automotive industry throughout the United States. He also handles insurance coverage and insurance defense cases involving a myriad of legal issues. He has successfully handled countless arbitrations, trials and appeals before administrative tribunals, trial courts, various appellate courts and the Supreme Court of Illinois.
Job Titles:
- Partner
- Partner at Swanson
Christopher T. Sheean is a partner at Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP and chairs the firm's Class Action Practice Group. Chris defends products manufacturers in lawsuits, and counsels companies on various regulatory and governmental matters. He also represents national and international corporations in various types of commercial, corporate and intellectual property litigation matters throughout the United States. His intellectual property practice involves issues of trademark and trade secret misappropriation, copyright infringement, unfair competition and advertising injury claims. He also handles a broad spectrum of general corporate issues and disputes including complex breach of contract claims and multidistrict consumer class actions. As the lead trial lawyer in many cases, Chris has successfully litigated often complex and cutting-edge commercial and intellectual property claims in both federal and state courts. Chris has served as an adjunct professor of trial advocacy at Northwestern University Law School since 2009. He has been designated with the highest rating by Martindale-Hubbell, AV Preeminent, since 2002, and has been selected as a Top Rated Lawyer in Commercial Litigation by American Lawyer Media since 2012.
Clement is a partner in the firm's St. Louis office. His practice currently focuses on general civil litigation, product liability and toxic tort litigation. Prior to joining Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP, Clement gained significant trial experience through his work in the St. Louis City Public Defender's office. He has also represented governmental entities and national insurance companies in defense and insurance coverage matters including catastrophic injury, wrongful death, construction, product liability and premise liability.
Daniel G. Wills was a partner at Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP prior to his passing in September 2018. He concentrated his practice on insurance coverage litigation, transportation law, and appeals. Dan litigated nearly 100 appeals, representing before the Illinois Supreme Court the insurers in Kunkle v. Walton, the first test case of Illinois' tort reform legislation, and the plaintiff in Home Ins. Co. v. Cincinnati Ins. Co., a seminal insurance coverage case. Dan had been an adjunct professor of appellate advocacy at The John Marshall Law School since 2009 and had been a guest lecturer for the Illinois State Bar Association, Chicago Bar Association, Illinois Association of Defense Trial Counsel, National Business Institute, Casualty Adjusters of Illinois, and the National Forum for Environmental & Toxic Tort Issues. Dan was recognized for his writing talent, as well as his mentoring of associate attorneys and young partners.
Awards
Selected for inclusion in Illinois Super Lawyers in 2009-2018
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP announces with much sadness the death of equity partner Daniel G. Wills. Wills, a partner in the firm's Chicago office, passed away suddenly last week at the age of 59.
Job Titles:
- Partner
- Partner at Swanson
David Kanter is a partner at Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP. David has spent his entire career counseling and defending chemical companies, pharmaceutical and medical device companies and other product manufacturers that face legal challenges involving complex medical and scientific issues. He primarily represents pharmaceutical companies in product liability cases and chemical companies in toxic exposure cases across the country in both putative class actions and individual or mass injury cases. Dave has a long track record of successful results in multiple state and federal courts, including defeating class certifications, winning defense verdicts on jury trials, dismissing cases on summary judgment, and has successfully challenged the admissibility of expert testimony. Over the years, Dave has represented pharmaceutical and medical device companies in recurrent product liability actions involving pertussis vaccine, anti-depressants, implantable contraceptives, estrogen replacements, breast implants, prescription diet drugs, anti-epileptics, implantable staples and intravenous bisphosphonates. Dave has also represented chemical companies in toxic tort trials and recurrent litigation across the country. These cases have involved allegations of personal injury and/or property damage from exposure to substances such as arsenic, chromium, creosote, pentachlorophenol, toluene, mineral spirits, benzene, acetic acid, ethylene oxide, diacetyl, inks, radiation and PAHs. He also counsels companies on matters pending before the Environmental Protection Agency and the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Dave also represents and has tried cases on behalf of physicians and hospitals in medical negligence cases.
David E. Kawala concentrates his practice in the defense of civil litigation. David's experience has focused on a variety of personal injury litigation, including construction and transportation professional negligence litigation, general liability litigation, products liability and chemical exposure liability matters. David is a member of the American Bar Association and Defense Research Institute.
David's trial experience includes over 30 trials in state and federal courts in Illinois and Indiana. He has also been admitted pro hac vice in the following states: Arizona, New York, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Indiana, Wisconsin, Iowa, Ohio, Missouri, Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Mexico, Texas, California, Washington, Georgia, Florida and South Carolina.
David has served as national counsel for numerous clients. His national counsel experience includes the representation of:
An Illinois-based international manufacturer of steel involved as co-national counsel in all tort/casualty litigation throughout the United States.
An Illinois based manufacturer of consumer products involved in product liability litigation throughout the United States.
A New Jersey-based flavor and fragrance corporation involved in chemical exposure/toxic tort litigation throughout the United States.
A Wisconsin-based manufacturer of construction equipment/vehicles involved in product liability litigation throughout the United States.
A Tennessee-based manufacturer/distributor of power transmission equipment involved in product liability/contract litigation throughout the United States.
Kawala spoke on the history of diacetyl litigation and the effects it could have on vapor businesses
Job Titles:
- Associate Editor of Notes and Comments
Derrick represents clients in a variety of commercial litigation matters, including contract disputes and mechanics lien matters. He also defends clients in construction litigation disputes and personal injury actions. He has a wide range of skills in collection matters, from assisting clients in devising business strategies to minimize litigation when recovering property obtained via a purchase or lease contract, to aggressive representation once litigation has come to fruition.
Job Titles:
- Author Article for "in Session" Insurance Publication
Rogers will serve that role for a year. He previously served as vice president, secretary and treasurer.
According to Haddox's profile, he "has earned a reputation as one of the top young product liability and construction litigation defense lawyers in the city."
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- Partner 847 - 949 - 0042 Jterseli@Smbtrials.Com Download VCard
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- Student Clinician Award Recipient
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- Partner 312 - 923 - 8259 Mnazarof@Smbtrials.Com Download VCard
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- Associate 312 - 222 - 8509 Mkifarkis@Smbtrials.Com Download VCard
Monaco will be among a panel of experienced litigators providing insight into how medical malpractice, work accident, and mass torts cases have been litigated in the age of COVID.
Job Titles:
- Attorney 314 - 315 - 4319 Download VCard
Rogers began his term at the close of the 2018 Annual Meeting in Chicago and will continue through the 2022 Annual Meeting.
Rogers chatted about the ABA's Young Lawyers Division and the Emerging Leaders Program that is helping law graduates seek significant leadership roles within the ABA.
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- Associate 312 - 321 - 8465 Rbahramirad@Smbtrials.Com Download VCard
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- Associate 312 - 766 - 0075 Rslovis@Smbtrials.Com Download VCard
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- Associate 312 - 766 - 0073 Sluschen@Smbtrials.Com Download VCard
Sheean will offer a welcome and introduction to attendees at the November symposium.
Job Titles:
- Author Article in DRI 's for the Defense Publication
Sheean and Keating's article is titled, "Adiós "Alter Ego"; Corporate Veil Piercing in the Product Liability Suit."
Job Titles:
- Partner 312 - 222 - 8546 Tsphar@Smbtrials.Com Download VCard
Rogers and Lengerich argued there was a lack of proximate cause between the defendants' alleged negligence and plaintiff's leg amputation.
Weishaar's chapter in Arbitration and the Surety focuses on "Scope and Enforceability of Arbitration Clauses and Requirements."
William J. Rogers is a trial lawyer who has tried jury cases in federal, state and municipal courts and has written and argued appeals in the Seventh Circuit, Illinois Supreme Court and Illinois Appellate Court.