Biography

James Vogts’ practice spans a variety of industries, including the chemical, large industrial machinery, and firearms industries, and he has earned a reputation for trying and winning cases in federal and state trial and appellate courts across the country. Jim has spent more than three decades counseling and defending businesses in product liability, commercial fraud, trademark infringement, and unfair trade practices cases. He has defended cases in nearly all of the 50 states and has tried cases to verdicts in Illinois, Indiana, Montana, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas and Wisconsin. He has substantial experience coordinating and managing the defense of product manufacturers in reoccurring litigation.

Practices

Commercial Litigation and Business Disputes
Intellectual Property Litigation and Transactional Services
Product Liability
Class Action Defense

Awards

• Selected for inclusion in Leading Lawyers, 2024
• Selected for inclusion in Illinois Super Lawyers in 2012-2019
• Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent Rated (highest rating)

Recent Decisions

• Summers v. Cabela's, 2019 WL 1423095 (Del.)
• Soto v. Bushmaster Firearms, 331 Conn. 53 (2019)
• City of Gary v. Smith & Wesson, 126 N.E. 3d 813 (2019)
• Garrison v. Sturm, Ruger & Co., 322 F. Supp. 3d 1217 (N.D. Ala. 2018)
• Soto v. Bushmaster Firearms, 139 F. Supp. 3d 560 (D. Conn. 2016)
• Friedman v. Highland Park, 784 F.3d 406 (7th Cir. 2015)
• Phillips v. Lucky Gunner, LLC 84 F. Supp. 3d 1012 (D. Colo 2015)
• Vesely v. Armlist LLC, 762 F.3d 661 (7th Cir. 2014)
• Ron Peterson Firearms, LLC v. Jones, 760 F.3d 1147 (10th Cir. 2014)
• 10 Ring Precision v. Jones, 722 F.3d 771 (5th Cir. 2013)
• National Shooting Sports Foundation v. Jones, 716 F. 3d 200 (D.C. Cir. 2013)
• Santanelli v. Remington Arms Co., 466 Fed. Appx. 15 (1st Cir. 2012)
• Square D Co. v. Breakers Unlimited, 2011 WL 381334 (S.D. Ind.)
• City of New York v. Beretta USA et al, 524 F.3d 384 (2d Cir. 2008)
• Smith & Wesson et al v. City of Gary, 875 N.E. 2d 422 (Ind. 2007)
• In re Firearms Cases, 126 Cal. App. 4th 959 (2005)
• Lemongello v. Sturm, Ruger & Co., 2004 WL 1453520 (W. Va.)
• Halliday v. Sturm, Ruger & Co., 368 Md. 186 (2002)

News

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, 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, 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, April 28, 2017
Vogts Speaks at National Firearms Law Seminar
Vogts' speech focused on "Responsibility for Criminal Firearms Violence: Defending Firearm Manufacturers and Retail Dealers."

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.