Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP, one of Chicago’s leading trial firms, has merged with longtime St. Louis and Madison County litigation defense firm Kernell Law Firm, P.C.

The lawyers of the highly regarded Kernell Law Firm have successfully represented insurance companies and private businesses in Asbestos Litigation, Product Liability, Toxic Tort Litigation and Insurance Defense for over 25 years.

“We believe our new St. Louis and Madison County offices will provide the same excellent service that clients have come to expect from Tom Kernell and his team, while expanding the services we offer our present clients,” said Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Managing Partner Timothy G. Nickels. “We are very excited about this opportunity.”

Praise for the professionalism of the recently passed Tom Kernell and his team comes not only from the defense bar. Perry Browder, chairman of the asbestos practice group at Simmons Hanly Conroy LLC, observed, “Tom Kernell was one of the most respected lawyers in the Madison County asbestos arena. He was trusted by judges, defense counsel and plaintiffs’ counsel alike, serving as defense liaison counsel for many years. The attorneys at Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP are great litigators with whom we’ve worked for many years. I am happy that Tom’s lawyers and staff are joining Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP to carry on Tom’s legacy.”

Kernell Law Firm attorneys joining Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP are:

Marcie J. Vantine focuses her practice on Asbestos Litigation, General Trial Practice, Insurance Defense, Product Liability, Toxic Tort Litigation and Environmental Law. She received her J.D. from Saint Louis University School of Law in 2004 and her B.S. from Concordia College in 2000.

Alison R. Helgeson focuses her practice on Asbestos Litigation. She received her J.D. with a Certificate in Dispute Resolution from the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Law in 2003 and her B.A. with Honors from Saint Louis University in 2000.

Megan J. Bricker focuses her practice on Asbestos Litigation. She received her J.D. from Saint Louis University School of Law in 2008 and her B.A. from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2005.

Joseph R. Riegerix focuses his practice on Asbestos Litigation. He received his J.D. from Wake Forest University School of Law in 2013 and his B.A. cum laude from Pepperdine University in 2010.

With an expected merger close date of October 1st, Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP will add offices at 800 Market Street in St. Louis and 103 W. Vandalia Street in Edwardsville (Madison County).