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, Lisle, Libertyville, Madison County, January 23, 2025
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Attorneys Recognized as 2025 Illinois Super Lawyers® and Rising Stars

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.

Kansas City, March 25, 2024
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Launches Kansas Office
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP announces the opening of an office in the Kansas City metro area. This expansion is a significant step in furthering the firm's commitment to serving clients nationwide. The Kansas office is located at 7501 Nall Avenue, Unit 1, Prairie Village, KS 66208. This office is poised to serve the needs of Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP’s clients in Kansas and western Missouri.

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.

Kansas City, November 06, 2023
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Welcomes New Associate
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP welcomes new associate, Anthony C. Badami, to the firm.

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, 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.

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