Joe Swift has tried nearly 50 matters to jury verdict, with great results. He is an Iowa native that has been with Brown & James his entire legal career, which started in 1987. Having driven a truck to help get through college and law school, Joe especially enjoys defending trucking companies and their drivers. Joe is considered one of the preeminent transportation defense lawyers and routinely speaks across the country on transportation law and insurance defense matters. He has been named Super Lawyer by Missouri and Kansas Super Lawyers magazine for the last five years. Joe’s practice also includes defending product manufacturers and handling insurance matters.
Recent
Achievements:
2009 - Awarded Top Defense Verdict in Missouri by Missouri Lawyer's Weekly
2011 - Program Chair, 2011 ALFA International Transportation Seminar
Favorable Jury Verdicts:
Stoughton v. Alexander Richardson, (February, 2006)
Michael, Christy v. Cracker Barrel, (March, 2006)
Bockman, Miranda v. O & S Carriers, (May, 2007)
Watkins, Aubrey v. City of St. Louis Missouri, (August, 2007)
Ruben, Raymond v. Village Market, (January, 2008)
Hirner, Jennifer v. DayDreamers, (February, 2009)
Fattah v. Tran, (November, 2009)
Published Appellate Opinions:
Huggins, Walter v. Teton Transportation, Inc., represented defendant
Staple Cotton Cooperative Association, et al. v. D G & G., Inc., et al., represented defendant
Publications:
The New Frontier of Discovery: Applying the Amended Rules of Electronic Discovery
Meniscal Tear: Already There?
Aggravating Circumstances Awarded And Upheld On Appeal
Missouri Supreme Court Limits Discovery In Product Liability Suit
Evidence Of Substantially Similar Acts Are Not Limited To The Specific Model However, The Trial Court Must Prevent The "Side Show From Taking Over The Circus"
The Eighth Circuit Upholds The Use Of Defense Instruction In Product Liability Action
Missouri Tort Reform 2005
The Eighth Circuit Strikes Experts Again (And Again)
Missouri Court Further Limits The Definition Of "Manufacturer" and "Designer"
Eight Million Dollar Judgment Reversed And Remanded Because Adverse Inference Improperly Given For Destruction Of Evidence
Common Carrier Required To Provide Worker's Compensation Benefits
"Owner/Operator" May Be An "Employee" Pursuant To Missouri Workers' Compensation Law
Satellite Information Part of Rule 26 Disclosure?
Workers' Compensation Bars Claim By Passenger Against Driver
Spoliation Or Destruction Of Evidence
When a Seller is not a "Seller"
Cross Examination of the Accident Reconstructionist
Underinsured and Uninsured Coverage Issues In Missouri
Speaking Engagements:
2010 - Moderated panel discussion on Comprehensive Safety Analysis 2010 at ALFA International Transportation Practice Group annual seminar in Marco Island, Fla.
2010 - Moderated panel discussion entitled Product Recalls in a Global Economy in Palm Desert, Calif., at the ALFA International Client Seminar. The expert panel included representatives from Schneider Electric North America, W.W. Grainger, Inc., and Cracker Barrel Old Country Stores.
2010 - Speaker to the American Ladder Institute, Product Liability 101, the Consumer Products Safety Commission and Product Recalls.
2010 - Presented, The 800 Gorilla in the Room - Medicare Set Asides, at Brown & James' annual seminar.
2009 - Speaker on Green Marketing Claims at the 2009 Product Safety and Liability Conference (sponsored by the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers in conjunction with the Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute and the Consumer Electronic Association)
2009 - Speaker regarding national plaintiff's groups that are targeting the trucking industry at the 2009 National Safety & Operations Conference for the American Moving & Storage Association. The conference was attended by member companies' executives and safety directors.
2009 - ALFA International Transportation Practice Group, Watch Out, It May be Gaining on You- A Report from the Front Lines; Plaintiff's Groups Targeting the Trucking Industry. Hotel Del Coronado, San Diego, Calif.
2008 - ALFA International Products Liability, 2008: A Discovery Odyssey. Laguna Nigel, Calif.
2008 - ALFA International Transportation, Defending Against Allegations of Criminal Conduct. Palm Beach, Fla.
2007 - ALFA International Transportation, Mediation with the Aggressive Approach. Austin, Texas
2006 - ALFA International Transportation, Divide and Conquer! Does In-Fighting Between Co-defendants Over Liability Drive up the Value of the Verdict? Las Vegas, Nev.
2005 - ALFA International Transportation, Life Care/Medical, Amelia Island, Fla.
2004 - ALFA International Transportation, Direct/Cross of Defense Accident Reconstructionist., Newport Beach, Calif.
Bar Admissions:
Missouri
Illinois
United States Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit
United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri
United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri
Professional Associations:
ALFA International Transportation Group, Steering Committee Member
Defense Research Institute
Missouri Organization of Defense Lawyers
National Retail Federation
Trucking Lawyers Association
Trucking Industry Defense Association
Community Activities:
Soccer and t-ball coach
United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri Historical Society
