Mr.
Swift is a partner and shareholder with Brown & James, P.C., practicing in
the firm’s St. Louis office. He primarily concentrates his practice on
transportation matters, as well as premises and product liability, and
insurance defense. An Iowa
native, Joe especially enjoys representing trucking companies and their
drivers, having driven a truck while in college and law school.
Mr.
Swift has successfully tried countless matters to jury verdict and is routinely
called upon by clients and industry groups to speak on transportation and
product liability matters. He has spent his entire career with Brown &
James, and serves as a member of the board of directors for ALFA International,
a global legal network. Additionally, he is active within the Trucking Industry
Defense Association and the Trucking Lawyers Association.
Recent
Achievements:
Program Chair, 2011 ALFA International Transportation Seminar
Super Lawyer, Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers magazine - 2007 - present
Awarded Top Defense Verdict in Missouri by Missouri Lawyer's Weekly - 2009
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 "Rules of the Road" Approach - An Examination of a Plaintiff's Strategy for Proving Liability in Trucking Cases
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:
2011 - Speaker, 2011 Traffic Insurance Risk Control Workshop
2011 - "Rules of the Road," Brown & James 2011 Law Symposium
2010 - "BASICs Training, Dealing with the Roadside Inspection," Arkansas Trucking Association
2010 - Moderator, "Comprehensive Safety Analysis 2010," ALFA International Transportation Practice Group Seminar
2010 - Moderator, "Product Recalls in a Global Economy," 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 - "Product Liability 101, the Consumer Products Safety Commission and Product Recalls," American Ladder Institute
2010 - "The 800 lb. Gorilla in the Room - Medicare Set Asides," Brown & James Law Symposium
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 - "Watch Out, It May be Gaining on You- A Report from the Front Lines; Plaintiff's Groups Targeting the Trucking Industry," ALFA International Transportation Seminar
2008 - "2008: A Discovery Odyssey," ALFA International Product Liability Seminar
2008 - "Defending Against Allegations of Criminal Conduct," ALFA International Transportation Seminar
2007 - "Mediation with the Aggressive Approach," ALFA International Transportation Seminar
2006 - "Divide and Conquer! Does In-Fighting Between Co-defendants Over Liability Drive up the Value of the Verdict?" ALFA International Transportation Seminar
2005 - "Life Care/Medical," ALFA International Transportation Seminar
2004 - "Direct/Cross of Defense Accident Reconstructionist," ALFA International Transportation Seminar
Bar Admissions:
Missouri
Illinois
Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals
United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri
United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri
Professional Associations:
ALFA International, Board of Directors
Council on Litigation Management
Defense Research Institute
Missouri Organization of Defense Lawyers
National Retail Federation
Transportation 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
