Biography
Over the past decade, Sarah has devoted a majority of her practice to medical negligence work. In this capacity, she currently represents hospitals, physicians, physician groups, nurses and other healthcare professionals in medical negligence cases from pre-suit investigation to trial. Additionally, she represents clients in general tort, premises and product liability work. Prior to joining Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP, Sarah worked at a prominent Chicago plaintiff’s firm where she gained extensive experience litigating wrongful death, personal injury and medical negligence matters.
Sarah serves as chair to the firm’s Medical Negligence and Healthcare Practice Group and is also a member of the General Trial Practice, Commercial Litigation and Products Liability practice groups. Additionally, she serves as a member of the firm’s Recruiting Committee, Associate Education Committee, and as a mentor in the Summer Associate program. Sarah is also a member of the Chicago Bar Association’s Judicial Evaluation Committee and a frequent guest speaker at CBA events and seminars.
Practices
Medical Negligence and Healthcare
General Trial Practice
Intellectual Property Litigation and Transactional Services
Memberships & Affiliations
- Chicago Bar Association
- Appointed member, Judicial Evaluation Committee
- Illinois State Bar Association
- Women’s Bar Association of Illinois
- American Bar Association
- Bradley University Alumni Association
- Chicago Healthcare Risk Management Society
- Illinois Association of Healthcare Attorneys
Awards
- Named to Law Bulletin Media’s “40 Under Forty” in 2020
- Recipient, Trial Lawyer Excellence Award for Outstanding Defense Verdict in a Medical Malpractice Case, Law Bulletin Media’s Jury Verdict Reporter Awards, 2019
- Member of The National Trial Lawyers organization Top 40 Under 40, 2012
- Selected for inclusion in Illinois Super Lawyers - Rising Stars Edition in 2015-2023
Presentations
- Presenter, COVID-19 and Long Term Care Facilities, Chicago Healthcare Risk Management Society (CHRMS) Winter Meeting, January 2021
- Panelist, Anatomy of a Medical Malpractice Trial, Chicago Bar Association's Young Lawyers Tort Litigation Committee, November 2018
- Panelist, Jury Trial Tips, Chicago Bar Association's Municipal & Law Divisions Committee, October 2018
- Guest Lecturer, Advanced Trial Advocacy, University of Notre Dame Law School, 2017, 2018
- Judge, Herzog Moot Court Competition, John Marshall Law School, 2012, 2013
- Guest Lecturer, Personal Injury Litigation, University of Notre Dame Law School, 2011, 2012
- Guest Lecturer, Litigation Lab, DePaul University College of Law, 2011, 2012
- Guest Lecturer, Medical Malpractice 101, University of Illinois College of Medicine, 2011
News
Chicago, April 05, 2024
Ferrill and Slovis Obtain Defense Verdict In High-Stakes Medical Malpractice Case
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP attorneys Sarah A. Ferrill and Ryan M. Slovis secured a defense verdict on behalf of their client, a cardiologist, in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois.
February 05, 2024
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Sponsors Chicagoland Healthcare Risk Management Society 2024 Winter Meeting
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP is proud to sponsor the Chicagoland Healthcare Risk Management Society (CHRMS) 2024 Winter Meeting on February 16 in Oakbrook Terrace, IL.
May 09, 2023
Ferrill to Speak on ‘Social Media and Health Care Professionals' During 2023 Medical Staff Grand Rounds
Partner Sarah A. Ferrill will present "Social Media and Health Care Professionals: Potential Pitfalls and Legal Implications" at a local hospital as part of their Medical Staff Grand Rounds on May 10.
Chicago, February 17, 2023
Ferrill, Buckley Secure Defense Verdict in Premises Liability Case
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP attorneys Sarah A. Ferrill and Shannon E. Buckley obtained a defense verdict at trial on behalf of their clients, a prominent hospital, in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois.
February 03, 2023
Henne, Masini to Present at Chicago Healthcare Risk Management Society Winter Meeting
Partner Brett Henne and associate Isabella Masini will present at the Chicago Healthcare Risk Management Society's (CHRMS) Winter Meeting on February 10 in Oakbrook Terrace, IL.
Chicago, January 23, 2023
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Attorneys Named 2023 Illinois Super Lawyers
Five Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP attorneys have been named to the 2023 Super Lawyers® list as leading practitioners in their field across Illinois.
November 08, 2022
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Receives Not Guilty Verdict in Medical Malpractice Defense Case
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP attorneys William J. Rogers and Sarah A. Ferrill obtained a defense verdict in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois at trial on behalf of their clients, a cardiologist and the cardiologist’s group.
Chicago, September 3, 2021
Lothson Named to Law Bulletin Media's 40 Under Forty List
According to Lothson's profile, ""Andy has natural instincts beyond his years and is an exceptionally bright and creative attorney."
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, January 18, 2021
Ferrill, Boyle Speak at Chicago Healthcare Risk Management Society Winter Meeting
They will speak on "COVID-19 and Long Term Care Facilities."
Chicago, October 5, 2020
Ferrill Named to Law Bulletin Media's 40 Under 40
According to Ferrill's profile, "She will do whatever it takes, leave no stone unturned, until she can get her clients the right result."
Chicago, January 30, 2020
Illinois Super Lawyers Recognizes 25 Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Attorneys
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP announces that 12 attorneys were named to the 2020 Illinois Super Lawyers list and another 13 were named to the 2020 Illinois Rising Stars list.
Chicago, November 5, 2019
Switzer, Ferrill Recognized with Trial Lawyer Excellence Award
They received an award for "Outstanding Defense Verdict in a Medical Malpractice Case."
Chicago, February 1, 2019
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Names Six New Partners
Andrew J. Albright, Joshua E. Bidzinski, Sarah A. Ferrill, Erica S. Longfield, Kristine C. Reveille and Stephanie Rifkind have all been promoted to partner.
Chicago, Libertyville, St. Louis, January 28, 2019
Illinois Super Lawyers Recognizes 29 Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Attorneys
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP is proud to have 14 Super Lawyers and 15 Rising Stars in 2019.
Chicago, November 2, 2018
Reveille, Ferrill Address Anatomy of a Medical Malpractice Trial
Fellow panelists include two Circuit Court of Cook County judges and three plaintiff's attorneys.
Chicago, October 17, 2018
Ferrill Speaks at CBA Trial Tips Presentation
Ferrill will address Trial Preparation and Demonstratives. Fellow panelists include Circuit Court of Cook County Judges Marguerite Quinn and Lorna Propes, as well as Wise Morrissey Kaveny's Elizabeth Kaveny. For more information, please visit the CBA website.
Chicago, September 7, 2018
Law360 Profiles Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP for 2018 Illinois Regional Powerhouse Series
According to the article, "Swanson's attorneys have flexed their muscles in several Illinois courtrooms this year, helping to fend off more than $100 million in claimed damages in several suits rooted in the firm's more institutional areas of practice."
Chicago, January 30, 2018
Ferrill Guest Lectures at Notre Dame Law School
Topics included opening arguments, effective direct and cross examination, and trial demonstratives.
Chicago, Libertyville, Madison County, January 26, 2018
Illinois Super Lawyers Recognizes 35 Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Attorneys
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP is proud to have 20 Super Lawyers and 14 Rising Stars among its attorneys.
October 10, 2017
Ferrill Guest Lectures at Notre Dame Law School
Topics included preparing an expert for trial, effective cross examination, and trial demonstratives, as well as a a mock cross examination of the plaintiff’s economist expert
January 16, 2017
Illinois Super Lawyers Recognizes 38 Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Attorneys
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP announces that 38 of its attorneys have been selected for inclusion in the 2017 Illinois Super Lawyers and Rising Stars lists.
January 13, 2017
Ferrill Offers Trial Tips on CBA Panel
Ferrill will speak along with two judges and a plaintiff's attorney.
October 26, 2016
Ferrill Talks Trial Preparation and Presentation at CBA Event
Ferrill and fellow presenters will provide first-hand guidance on how to effectively try a case.
January 13, 2016
Illinois Super Lawyers Recognizes 39 Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Attorneys
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP announces that 39 of its attorneys have been selected for inclusion in the 2015 Illinois Super Lawyers and Rising Stars lists.
January 12, 2015
Illinois Super Lawyers Recognizes 39 Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Attorneys
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP announces that 39 of its attorneys have been selected for inclusion in the 2015 Illinois Super Lawyers and Rising Stars lists.
November 25, 2014
'12 Day Defensive Hot Streak' Highlighted in Law Bulletin Article
The article highlighted four defense verdicts Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP attorneys received on behalf of clients.
November 19, 2014
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Obtains Four Not Guilty Verdicts in 11 Days
In a span of 11 days, Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP attorneys obtained four not guilty verdicts at trial on behalf of clients.
November 18, 2013
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Welcomes Three Associates
The firm welcomes three associates, including two who were recently sworn in to the Illinois Bar.
