Civil Rights and Governmental Liability

Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP's Civil Rights and Governmental Liability Group concentrates in the defense of constitutional and civil rights claims. The Group defends clients in matters involving constitutional issues, civil rights statutes such as 42 U.S.C. 1981 and 1983, and state tort liability claims. Firm lawyers have successfully represented both individuals and entities including police officers, villages, cities, counties, states, hospitals, security companies, medical groups, physicians, and nurses.

The Group’s lawyers have litigated cases in federal and state court involving alleged police misconduct, wrongful death, shootings, catastrophic injuries, post-traumatic stress disorder, failure to provide medical care, prison suicide, and the prosecution of many criminals in Cook County. Recent representations have included the defense of Section 1983 claims alleging unlawful search and seizure, excessive force, and due process violations; common law claims alleging false arrest and imprisonment, assault and battery, failure to provide medical care and malicious prosecution; Eighth Amendment claims, and Monell policy claims.

Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP lawyers draw upon their previous experience working for the Corporation Counsel of the City of Chicago, the Cook County State’s Attorney Office, the Attorney General's Office, and federal trial bar pro bono appointments representing plaintiffs in civil rights matters.

News

Chicago, July 27, 2016
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Welcomes Four Lateral Attorneys
The four women range in practices from Medical Negligence and Healthcare or Toxic Tort Litigation.

Chicago, November 17, 2014
Wisniewski Judges ABA Student Employment Trial Advocacy Competition
Teams from law schools nationwide competed as plaintiffs and defendants in labor and employment-related matters, with Wisniewski and fellow attorneys serving as judges and evaluators.

Chicago, November 20, 2013
Wisniewski Judges ABA Student Employment Trial Advocacy Competition
Teams from law schools nationwide will compete as plaintiffs and defendants in labor and employment-related matters, with Wisniewski and fellow attorneys serving as judges and evaluators.

Chicago, July 9, 2013
Seven Lateral Attorneys Join Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP
Four partners and three associates have recently joined the firm's Chicago office.

Chicago, Libertyville, March 30, 2012
Goles, Sullivan Speak at Lake County Bar Association CLE
Sullivan will address civil rights litigation and Goles will speak on dangerous and unsafe structures.

Chicago, May 6, 2010
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Elects Three New Partners
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP announces the elevation of Richard J. Keating, Jr., Susan E. Sullivan and Catherine Basque Weiler to partner.

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