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Joanne Geha Swanson

Member

T 313-961-0200 F 313-961-0388

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overview

Joanne Geha Swanson has more than 30 years of experience as a litigator and appellate attorney.

Practice Areas

Antitrust and Trade Regulation

Appeals

Class Action Defense

Litigation and Dispute Resolution

Bio

Joanne provides strong, rigorous advocacy to clients who must either enforce or defend their rights through litigation. In addition, she counsels clients on how to avoid litigation and resolve disputes without turning to the courts in the first place.

Her civil litigation practice primarily involves complex commercial disputes, antitrust, class actions, business torts, legal malpractice and other related matters.

Joanne also devotes a significant percentage of her professional time to state and federal appellate practice involving issues across the spectrum of subject areas, including insurance disputes, constitutional challenges, questions of statutory interpretation, business torts, commercial disputes, medical and legal malpractice, real estate disputes, and civil procedural questions.

Joanne is an active thought leader who has authored numerous published articles related to her areas of practice, and she has lectured on topics related to litigation and the appeals process. She contributed the Michigan chapter to the Practitioner’s Guide to Class Actions, 2nd edition from the ABA’s Tort Insurance and Trial Practice Section. She also served on the editorial board for the book. Swanson wrote the Michigan chapter and served on the editorial board for the first edition, as well.

Joanne is the Past Chair of the State Bar of Michigan’s Antitrust, Franchise & Trade Regulation Section.  She is a current Council Member of the Appellate Practice Section of the State Bar of Michigan and President of the Detroit Bar Association Board of Directors. She chairs the editorial board of the Detroit Bar Association’s Detroit Lawyer magazine. Joanne is chair of the Appellate Practice Section Annual Meeting (State Bar NEXT Conference, Cobo). She moderated the Annual Meeting program that was sponsored by the Appellate Practice Section.

Joanne is repeatedly listed in The Best Lawyers in America®; is a Corporate Counsel Magazine “Super Lawyer”; and “Top Lawyer” in DBusiness Magazine. She has been ranked as a “Michigan Super Lawyer” by Thomson Reuters, for 15 years, and also received the Thomas M. Cooley Law School Distinguished Brief Award. She was named a 2017 Super Lawyer in Civil Litigation Defense (named every year since 2006), and is a Best Lawyers® award recipient in Appellate Practice and Litigation-Antitrust for the past 10 years. She also received the Best Lawyers® Litigation – Antitrust “Lawyer of the Year” for Detroit in 2015, 2018, and 2020. Only a single lawyer in each practice area and community is honored with a “Lawyer of the Year” award. She was also named a 2017 DBusiness Magazine “Top Lawyer”: Appellate, Litigation – Antitrust (5th consecutive year; 6th overall recognition). She is AV-rated by Martindale-Hubbell.

Joanne is a fellow of the Michigan State Bar Foundation and the Detroit Bar Association Foundation. She was recognized by Crain’s Detroit Business as one of their Notable Women Lawyers in Michigan – 2017 and among the 2020 Class of Women in the Law by Michigan Lawyers Weekly.

Articles

  • “From The Chair,” Michigan Appellate Practice Journal (Spring 2018)
  • “From The Chair,” Michigan Appellate Practice Journal (Fall 2017)

credentials

Affiliations

  • American Bar Association
    • Antitrust Law Section
    • Tort, Trial & Insurance Practice Section
    • Section of Litigation, Women Advocate Committee
  • Federal Bar Association for the Eastern District of Michigan
  • State Bar of Michigan
    • Appellate Practice Section Council 
    • Antitrust, Franchise & Trade Regulation Section, Past Chair
    • Negligence Section
  • Detroit Bar Association
    • Past President
    • Board of Directors
  • Washtenaw County Bar Association

Bar and Court Admissions

  • Michigan
  • United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan
  • United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan
  • United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
  • United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit
  • United States District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin
  • United States District Court for the District of Utah

Education

  • Wayne State University Law School, J.D.
    • cum laude
  • Michigan State University, B.A.

Insights & News

December 21, 2022

Factors to Consider in Hiring Outside Counsel

The importance of the attorney-client relationship cannot be overstated. Within that relationship, a lawyer has many roles.

August 18, 2022

Kerr Russell Attorneys Recognized by Best Lawyers in America© 2023 and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch

Eighteen Kerr Russell members were recently selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2023. Notably, fourteen of the named attorneys have been listed in The Best Lawyers in America for more than five years.

August 12, 2022

Kerr Russell Attorneys Named 2022 Michigan Super Lawyers and Rising Stars

Eleven Kerr Russell members have been included among the 2022 Michigan Super Lawyers.

August 19, 2021

Kerr Russell Attorneys Named to 2022 Best Lawyers® List

Kerr Russell is pleased to announce that 17 lawyers have been included in the 2022 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America.

February 23, 2021

Best Practices: Giving Voice to Amici Curiae

Joanne Geha Swanson discusses the benefits of an amicus brief and how one is best leveraged in the latest issue of the Michigan Bar Journal (February 2021).

November 16, 2020

22 Kerr Russell Attorneys Recognized as DBusiness 2021 Top Lawyers

A total of 22 lawyers from Kerr Russell are named as DBusiness Magazine 2021 Top Lawyers. The attorneys are selected through a peer review process.  DBusiness polled more than 18,000 attorneys across Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Washtenaw, and Livingston Counties. 

October 6, 2020

“Now What?”: Supreme Court’s COVID-19 Executive Order Decision

Kerr Russell, as of the date of this publication, is informing clients and friends of the firm that they are legally obligated to continue to comply with applicable COVID-19 workplace safety standards and valid state and local public health department orders, notwithstanding the Michigan Supreme Court’s opinion of October 2, 2020 invalidating the Governor’s COVID-19 Executive Orders. 

September 18, 2020

Kerr Russell Attorneys Named 2020 Michigan Super Lawyers and Rising Stars

Super Lawyers named 11 Kerr Russell members to the list of 2020 Michigan Super Lawyers and included four Kerr Russell attorneys on the list of 2020 Michigan Rising Stars.

August 20, 2020

Kerr Russell Attorneys Recognized by Best Lawyers in America© 2021 and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch

Seventeen Kerr Russell members were recently selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2021. Notably, twelve of the named attorneys have been listed in The Best Lawyers in America for more than five years.

July 14, 2020

15 Lawyers From Kerr Russell Recognized as Leading Lawyers 2020

A total of 15 lawyers from Kerr Russell are named to the 2020 list of Leading Lawyers in Michigan. Only those lawyers who are most often recommended qualify for this honor.

May 13, 2020

From The Lawyer's Perspective - Factors To Consider In Hiring Outside Counsel

Attorneys Joanne Geha Swanson and Jacquelyn Klima discuss what considerations to make when evaluating outside counsel in Corp! Magazine (March/April)

April 7, 2020

Joanne Geha Swanson Discusses Bar Association Shifts Due to COVID-19

The Detroit Legal News recently interviewed Joanne Geha Swanson to discuss shifts in legal events and programs. Joanne is president of the Detroit Bar Association. 

March 17, 2020

Coronavirus/COVID-19 Business Continuity:  A Message to Our Community, Clients and Friends

Kerr Russell is committed to its community, clients and people. As the world navigates through the impact of COVID-19 (coronavirus), we want to assure you that Kerr Russell is committed to supporting our community, clients and people as effectively as we have through every other crisis our Nation has encountered over our firm’s nearly 150-year history. Our firm is fully operational: We have made sure that our lawyers and staff are able to safely and effectively serve our clients’ needs and continue operations on an uninterrupted basis. Most of our people

November 15, 2019

19 Kerr Russell Attorneys Recognized as DBusiness Top Lawyers for 2020

A total of 19 lawyers from Kerr Russell are named as dBusiness Magazine 2020 Top Lawyers. The attorneys are selected through a peer review process.  dBusiness polled 19,000 attorneys across Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Washtenaw, and Livingston Counties.

September 3, 2019

15 Kerr Russell Attorneys Recognized on the 2019 Michigan Super Lawyers List

A total of 15 lawyers from Kerr Russell are named as Thomson Reuters, 2019 Michigan Super Lawyers. The award is given annually to attorneys who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement.

August 15, 2019

James Cambridge (Corporate Law) and Joanne Geha Swanson (Litigation - Antitrust) Named Best Lawyers® 2020 “Lawyers Of The Year” In Detroit

Congratulations to James Cambridge and Joanne Geha Swanson who are named the Best Lawyers 2020 “Lawyers of the Year” in Detroit for corporate law and litigation - antitrust law respectively. Only a single lawyer in each practice area and community is honored with a “Lawyer of the Year” award.

August 15, 2019

15 Lawyers From Kerr Russell Are Recognized In The Best Lawyers In America© 2020

A total of 15 lawyers from Kerr Russell are named to the prestigious 2020 Edition of the Best Lawyers in America©. The award is given annually in recognition of being named as part of the “top legal talent in the U.S.”

July 29, 2019

Kerr Russell Attorney Joanne Geha Swanson Interviewed by Legal News

Joanne was recently interviewed by Legal News about her new appointment as president of the Detroit Bar Association.

June 20, 2019

Kerr Russell Attorney Installed as Detroit Bar Association Board President

Joanne Geha Swanson is the new President of the Detroit Bar Association Board.

April 3, 2019

Kerr Russell Attorneys win Litigation of the Year - Cartel Defence award

Kerr Russell attorneys, Fred Herrmann, Joanne Geha Swanson, & Matthew Powell, on winning the Litigation of the Year - Cartel Defence award for Auto Parts antitrust litigation at the Global Competition Review 9th Annual Awards Ceremony.  The GCR awards are selected by readers who were invited to vote for the cases, law firms, lawyers, economists and enforcers they believe excelled in 2018.

September 20, 2018

Kerr Russell recognizes our 2018 dbusiness Top Lawyers in Metro Detroit honorees

Kerr Russell recognizes this year’s dbusiness Top Lawyers in Metro Detroit honorees - 21 attorneys, many for multiple practice areas.

September 11, 2018

Sneak peek of Dbusiness Magazine Top Lawyers photo shoot with Kerr Russell

A little sneak peek of today’s DBusiness Magazine “Top Lawyers” photo shoot of Kerr Russell with the talented and gracious David Frechette. Thank you to Valerie Maness for her assistance.

September 7, 2018

15 Kerr Russell attorneys recognized as 2018 Super Lawyers

Congratulations to the following attorneys who have been designated "Super Lawyers" by Thomson Reuters:

August 15, 2018

15 lawyers from Kerr Russell were recognized in The Best Lawyers in America© 2019

A total of 15 lawyers from Kerr Russell have been named to the prestigious 2019 Edition of the Best Lawyers in America©. The award is given annually in recognition of being named as part of the “top legal talent in the U.S.”

July 11, 2018

The Detroit Bar Association welcomes slate of 2018-19 officers, including Joanne Swanson, president-elect

From DBusiness: The Detroit Bar Association welcomed its slate of 2018-19 officers on June 20 at the Detroit Club during its annual meeting.

June 24, 2018

Kudos to Joanna Geha Swanson, president-elect of the Detroit Bar Association

We spy with our little eye ... Kerr Russell member Joanne Geha Swanson in the program of this year’s Detroit Bar Association Annual Meeting. Joanne, we are so proud of your leadership and everything you do for this community. Thank you to William Blasses for sending this from the event ... while it was still in progress!

May 13, 2018

2018 Detroit Heart Walk a great (if rainy) success - Kerr Russell colleagues contribute over $6,000

Kerr Russell's participation in the 25th anniversary Detroit Heart Walk, benefiting the Southeast Michigan American Heart Association, was a great success, with Kerr Russell colleagues raising $6,230 to contribute to the cause. This was in addition to the firm's overall sponsorship and to member Jason Bank's leadership on the Heart Walk's executive cabinet.

April 25, 2018

Joanne Geha Swanson, chair of State Bar of Michigan Appellate Group, contributes thoughts on the power of editing to Michigan Appellate Practice Journal

From Kerr Russell member Joanne Geha Swanson, chair of the State Bar of Michigan Appellate Practice Session on the elegance and importance of editing ...

April 23, 2018

Kerr Russell colleagues and family members spend Earth Day 2018 volunteering at Votrobeck Playground

In observance of Earth Day 2018, Kerr Russell colleagues returned to the garden at Votrobeck Playground in Detroit for spring planting and clean-up on Saturday, April 21. Thank you to Joanne Geha Swanson both for organizing the effort and for these beautiful photos - view the full album here. 

March 12, 2018

Hour Magazine salutes "Michigan 2017 Super Lawyers: The Top Women," including Kerr Russell's Joanne Swanson, Katherine Cser, Anna Valk

The March 2018 Hour Magazine includes a special advertising section saluting "Michigan 2017 Super Lawyers: The Top Women." Kerr Russell honorees include: Joanne Geha Swanson, civil litigation defense - since 2006 Katherine Cser, employment and labor - since 2014 - also named to "Rising Stars" list Anna Valk, real estate - since 2016 (not listed in the magazine, but recognized by "Super Lawyers") 

January 26, 2018

Download Kerr Russell's updated firm brochure and overview of services

Kerr Russell is proud of Detroit. We are proud to have had a seat at the table here since 1874. Our exceptional attorneys understand the unique challenges facing business leaders. Our legal solutions are prompt, accurate, economical, and focused around your needs in every area. We know Michigan business like the back of our hands.

January 19, 2018

Appellate decision: Services rendered to clients located outside the city by an attorney working in the city are not taxable as in-city services

In a published decision issued Thursday, the Michigan Court of Appeals held that income received for legal services rendered by an attorney working in the City of Detroit to a client located outside the city are "out-of-city" services for purposes of determining income taxable by the city.

January 3, 2018

Kerr Russell highlighted in Best Lawyers - Business, Winter 2017 issue

Look for Kerr Russell attorneys and advertising (pages 92-95) in the Best Lawyers - Business, Winter 2017 issue. Earlier in 2017, a number of Kerr Russell's attorneys and practice areas were honored with U.S. News and World Report Best Lawyers recognition.

December 18, 2017

Kerr Russell team makes holiday donations to Capuchin Soup Kitchen, Wigs 4 Kids, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Ann Arbor, and Children's Hospital of Michigan

One of our traditions here at Kerr Russell is to hold a holiday raffle to benefit three local charities as well as to conduct a toy drive for local children. This year's raffle (many of the beautiful and festive prizes picture here) raised a record total of $3,450 which will be divided equally among three organizations: Capuchin Soup Kitchen, Wigs 4 Kids of Michigan, Inc., and Ronald McDonald House Charities of Ann Arbor.

December 12, 2017

Joanne Swanson named one of Crain's Business Detroit's Notable Women Lawyers in Michigan - 2017

We at Kerr Russell are so proud to have two of our attorneys recognized by Crain's Detroit Business as Notable Women Lawyers in Michigan - 2017. Congratulations, Joanne Geha Swanson, for your selection! From Crain's announcement...

November 30, 2017

Merry and bright ... Kerr Russell welcomes the holiday season

It's a time to celebrate, reflect and remember. However you mark the holidays, we hope your days are filled with warmth and thankfulness, good times, and endless cheer. As another year draws to a close, we at Kerr Russell are grateful to you. You give purpose to our work and add meaning to our relationships. Your trust is a cherished gift. Enjoy these images as we get our offices ready to celebrate the holiday season. Design by Mandy Lark of Lark Interior Design.

November 21, 2017

Detroit Bar Honors Mayor Mike Duggan at 2017 Archer Award Gala; Kerr Russell a Silver Sponsor

From the Detroit Bar Association: "Congratulations to Mayor Mike Duggan who was presented the Dennis Archer Public Service Award by the Detroit Bar Foundation Thursday, November 16 at the Detroit Yacht Club. Also congratulations to the Detroit Bar Legal Scholars for their original legal work product that advances the field of law and our Corporate Citizen Outreach Recognition of DTE Energy, Matrix Human Services, Ally Financial and General Motors Company."

November 16, 2017

Culture of Connection - new Kerr Russell ad to appear in Michigan Lawyers Weekly and dbusiness

Kerr Russell introduces the second ad in the new "Est. in Detroit 1874" series: "A culture of connection." The piece emphasizes the firm's 143-year presence in Detroit as part of the larger business and legal community. "We are relationship focused. We know our people and our clients are the lifeblood of our firm."

November 3, 2017

Kerr Russell launches new advertising in upcoming issues of dbusiness and Crain's Detroit

With this month's issue of dbusiness, focused on Top Lawyers in Metro Detroit, Kerr Russell launches its new brand advertising with "A Track Record of Results." Working with Identity Public Relations and Marketing, Kerr Russell's marketing team developed the creative to emphasize the firm's longstanding place in Detroit's legal and business history.

November 1, 2017

Kerr Russell ranked in the 2018 U.S. News - Best Lawyers® "Best Law Firms" list nationally in 1 practice area and regionally in 17 practice areas

U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers, for the eighth consecutive year, announce the "Best Law Firms" rankings.

October 19, 2017

Joanne Swanson writes Michigan chapter of ABA Tort Insurance and Trial Practice Section's "A Practitioner's Guide to Class Actions, 2nd Edition"

Joanne Geha Swanson, member, contributed the Michigan chapter to the recently published Practitioner's Guide to Class Actions, 2nd edition from the ABA's Tort Insurance and Trial Practice Section. She also served on the editorial board for the book. Swanson wrote the Michigan chapter and served on the editorial board for the first edition, as well.

September 12, 2017

16 Kerr Russell attorneys recognized as 2017 Super Lawyers

Congratulations to the following attorneys who have been designated "Super Lawyers" by Thomson Reuters.

August 21, 2017

17 lawyers from Kerr Russell were recognized in The Best Lawyers in America© 2018

A total of 17 lawyers from Kerr Russell have been named to the prestigious 2018 Edition of the Best Lawyers in America©. The award is given annually in recognition of being named as part of the “top legal talent in the U.S.”

August 21, 2017

Joanne Geha Swanson named Best Lawyers® 2018 Litigation - Antitrust "Lawyer of the Year" in Detroit

Congratulations to Joanne Geha Swanson who was named the Best Lawyers®2018 Litigation - Antitrust "Lawyer of the Year" in Detroit. Only a single lawyer in each practice area and community is honored with a "Lawyer of the Year" award.

August 10, 2017

A culture of giving

If you want to know how a firm can thrive for over 140 years in a city that has faced considerable challenges, walk through the door of Kerr Russell’s suite on the 25th floor of the Detroit Center and get a feel for the people.

November 7, 2016

Kerr Russell attorneys named 2017 Top Lawyers by dBusiness Magazine

Kerr Russell counts 11 attorneys among this year’s Top Lawyers as recognized by dBusiness magazine. The 2017 Top Lawyers were selected based on a peer review survey of 19,000 attorneys in Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Washtenaw, and Livingston counties. Attorneys are asked to nominate lawyers among 48 legal specialties.

November 1, 2016

Kerr Russell Attorneys Named 2016 Super Lawyers

Kerr Russell attorneys have been named SuperLawyers for 2016, two have been named to the Michigan Top 100 and four have been named as Rising Stars.

January 15, 2016

Joanne Geha Swanson authors "Behind the Scenes at the Michigan Court of Appeals"

Did you ever wonder what goes on behind the scenes at the Michigan Court of Appeals after your case is filed? Outwardly, the case may appear to languish during a wait clients perceive as interminable. But the Court of Appeals is not a black hole. Systems are in place within the Court to guide each case through the appellate process in a timely and efficient manner.

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