Biography
Kay started as the first female lawyer at Wildman, Harrold, Allen & Dixon in 1974 and then became its first female partner. In 1992, she and eight of her partners founded Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP, and the firm has grown to over 100 lawyers. She devotes most of her practice to defense of medical negligence claims but has substantial trial experience in other areas, including pharmaceutical and medical device litigation.
Practices
General Trial Practice
Medical Negligence and Healthcare
Pharmaceutical and Medical Device
Memberships & Affiliations
- Fellow, American College of Trial Lawyers
- Chicago Bar Association
- Illinois State Bar Association
- American Bar Association
- Society of Trial Lawyers, Board of Directors
Awards
- Selected for inclusion in Illinois Super Lawyers in 2005-2019 in medical malpractice defense
- Selected for inclusion in Illinois Super Lawyers’ Top 50 Women Attorneys in Illinois
- One of the Top Twenty Defense Lawyers by Chicago Lawyer
- Rated AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell for 25 years
- Selected for inclusion in Leading Lawyers since 2004-present
Presentations
Kay has spoken to many groups of physicians, nurses and other healthcare providers about medical negligence claims, documentation pitfalls, and communication with patients and family and has given “mock trial” presentations to illustrate how these issues come into a lawsuit and eventual trial
News
October 04, 2022
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Obtains Defense Verdict In High-Stakes Medical Malpractice Case
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP attorneys Kay L. Schichtel and William P. Greubel obtained a defense verdict for Northwestern Memorial Hospital (NMH) following a 10-day jury trial in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois in front of Judge Janet Adams Brosnahan.
August 18, 2022
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Attorneys Named to 2023 Best Lawyers, Ones to Watch Lists
Thirty-nine Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP attorneys were named to the 2023 Best Lawyers in America® and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America™ lists.
Chicago, Lisle, Libertyville, St. Louis, Madison County, Indiana, August 19, 2021
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Attorneys Named to 2022 Best Lawyers, Ones to Watch Lists
Recognition by Best Lawyers is based entirely on peer review.
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, Lisle, Libertyville, Madison County, February 3, 2020
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Attorneys Named Leading Lawyers, Emerging Lawyers for 2020
Those designated Leading Lawyers were recommended by their peers to be among the top lawyers in Illinois.
Chicago, January 31, 2020
Monaco Inducted Into Society of Trial Lawyers
Monaco focuses his practice on Product Liability, Class Action Defense, and Commercial Litigation and Business Disputes.
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, 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, January 16, 2019
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Attorneys Named Leading Lawyers, Emerging Lawyers for 2019
Those designated Leading Lawyers were recommend by their peers to be among the top lawyers in Illinois.
Chicago, August 31, 2018
Leading Lawyers Names Drumke, Schichtel, Rogers to Top 10 Lists
The three partners were recognized in the categories of Class Action/Mass Defense, Med Mal Defense and Women Business Lawyers.
Chicago, August 27, 2018
Schichtel Profiled in Leading Lawyers Magazine
Schichtel's profile, titled "Methodically Educating Juries in Medical Malpractice Defense," focuses on her career path and defense of clients in Medical Negligence and Healthcare, Product Liability and Pharmaceutical and Medical Device matters.
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.
Chicago, Lisle, Libertyville, Madison County, January 23, 2018
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Attorneys Named Leading Lawyers, Emerging Lawyers for 2018
Those designated Leading Lawyers were recommend by their peers to be among the top lawyers in Illinois.
Chicago, January 4, 2018
Schichtel, Weiler Successfully Appeal Apparent Agency Question to Illinois Supreme Court
The related policy issues affect hospitals, medical facilities, and charity care throughout Illinois.
Chicago, April 12, 2017
Seminar with WBAI Focuses on Creating Successful Law Firm Business Developers
Prominent in-house counsel and law firm attorneys served as panelists.
Chicago, March 6, 2017
SMB and Women's Bar Association of Illinois Partner Again for Women's Business Development CLE
“How to Get the Business” continues the conversation started at our sold-out 2015 gathering, bringing in more experienced Business Givers and Business Getters for a two-part panel discussion.
Chicago, 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.
Chicago, May 5, 2016
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Attorneys Named to Leading Lawyers, Emerging Lawyers List
Thirty-six Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP attorneys were named Leading Lawyers or Emerging Lawyers.
Chicago, 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.
October 20, 2015
American College of Trial Lawyers Inducts Wills, 10th Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Attorney
Lawyers must have a minimum of 15 years trial experience before they can be considered for Fellowship and membership cannot exceed one percent of the total lawyer population of any state.
June 26, 2015
Schichtel, Weiler and Schneider Win Opinion in Illinois Appellate Court for Hospital Client
The opinion affirmed a summary judgment for Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP's client and clarifies the scope of agency law in Illinois.
April 9, 2015
Schichtel Named to "Top 10 Women Civil Defense" Attorney List
Schichtel ranked second on the list of ten Chicago-area female attorneys.
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.
October 24, 2014
Schichtel Honored with Two Awards in October
Schichtel received awards from the Jury Verdict Reporter and the Women's Bar Association of Illinois.
January 13, 2014
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 2014 Illinois Super Lawyers and Rising Stars lists.
January 3, 2013
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 2013 Illinois Super Lawyers and Rising Stars lists.
January 3, 2012
Illinois Super Lawyers Recognizes 34 Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Attorneys
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP announces that 23 of its attorneys were recognized as Illinois Super Lawyers, while 11 others were recognized as Rising Stars.
October 29, 2010
American College of Trial Lawyers Admits Ninth Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Attorney
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Partner Robert M. Collins has become a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, one of the premier legal associations in America.
June 4, 2010
Schichtel Featured in Chicago Lawyer Magazine Q&A
Swanson, Martin & Bell Partner Kay L. Schichtel was featured in the Q&A in Chicago Lawyer magazine’s June issue.
