Charles J. Swartwout

Partner

Phone:

(618) 277 - 9000 Ext. 2221

Email:

Cswartwout@rhpfirm.com

Address:

5000 West Main Street

P.O. Box 23560

Belleville, IL 62223

Biography

Charlie Swartwout is a skilled and experienced trial lawyer and founding member of the firm. He concentrates his practice in the defense of physicians, hospitals, nurses, railroads, other transportation companies, and class actions. Charlie prides himself in working closely with his clients and risk management professionals to devise creative and effective strategies to reduce their exposure to current and future litigation. But when necessary, Charlie’s record of success in the courtroom evidences his unyielding willingness to try lawsuits.

Charlie has a consistently successful record of trial and appellate work as well as a record of success in obtaining dismissals or summary judgments for his clients before trial and without the payment of any settlement. In his practice Charlie has successfully handles cases involving highly emotional allegations against his clients and substantial potential damages. That’s why Charlie is often sought out by his peers in the profession to act as a arbitrator or mediator in serious disputes.

He was recommended by his peers as a Leading Lawyer (Leading Lawyers Network) in the practice areas of:

Class Action / Mass Tort Defense Law

Medical Malpractice Defense Law

Personal Injury Defense Law: General

Products Liability Defense Law

As well as recommended by his peers as a Best Lawyer (Best Lawyers) in the practice area of Railroad Law.

Practice Area

Health Care Law
Medical Malpractice Defense
Class Action Defense
Railroad Defense
Trucking Defense
Insurance Defense
State, Local and Municipal Law and Legislation
Construction Law
Litigation and Appeals

Education

Southern Illinois University School of Law, Carbondale, Illinois
- Juris Doctorate
Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana
- B.S., Bachelor of Science

Professional Associations & Memberships

The Illinois Bar Association
The Missouri Bar Association
The Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis
National Association of Railroad Trial Counsel, Executive Committee
American Short Line & Regional Railroad Association, General Counsel Committee
Transload Distribution Association of North America
St. Louis Railway Club, Member
American Railway Development Association, Member
Missouri and Illinois Railroad Police Association, Corporate Counsel
Illinois Association of Healthcare Attorneys
American Health Lawyers Association
Illinois Association of Defense Trial Counsel
Missouri Organization of Defense Lawyers
The St. Clair County Bar Association
The East St. Louis Bar Association
Federal Bar Association of the Southern District of Illinois

Bar Admissions

Illinois
Missouri
U.S. District Court Southern District of Illinois
U.S. District Court Central District of Illinois
U.S. District Court Eastern District of Missouri
U.S. District Court Western District of Tennessee
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
U.S. Supreme Court

Seminar Presentations & Other Accomplishments

Mr. Swartwout is the author of Chapter Fifteen, Special Considerations in a Federal Employers’ Liability Act Case
- Defendant’s Perspective for the Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education and is responsible for the yearly supplement.
On November 1, 2007, Mr. Swartwout presented “Expert Discovery, a Practical Perspective” in a continuing legal education seminar presented by the St. Clair County Bar Association. Mr. Swartwout frequently serves as a speaker to groups of physicians and nurses, as well as hospital management and quality assurance personnel.
Mr. Swarwout has also made presentations to railroad claims groups on current topics in railroad defense.