Expert witness services
Technical investigation and expert support for elevator accident litigation, including equipment review, analysis, and testimony.
Independent elevator consulting
Sound judgment for complex vertical transportation.
Swett & Associates supports attorneys, building owners, and institutional clients with elevator expertise—from accident litigation and engineering to modernization planning, inspections, and portfolio oversight.
LitigationExpert witness and technical case support
EngineeringModernization, new installation, and CAD services
InstitutionsCampus and portfolio consulting at scale
What we do
Technical services across the equipment lifecycle.
We help clients understand existing equipment, evaluate options, document designs, and make informed decisions about safety, performance, and long-term investment.
Modernization planning
Condition assessments, scopes, specifications, bidding support, and oversight for elevator and escalator upgrades.
New installation consulting
Vertical transportation planning and technical review for new buildings, from early design through installation oversight.
Engineering & CAD
Engineering analysis, technical documentation, and CAD drawings to support design and project execution.
Inspections & evaluations
Qualified elevator inspections, maintenance evaluations, equipment assessments, and actionable reporting.
Campus consulting
Asset inventories, lifecycle planning, maintenance program review, and consulting for large institutional portfolios.
Our team
Experienced judgment, grounded in the field.
Swett & Associates brings engineering and inspection experience to litigation, modernization, and large equipment portfolios.
Primary consultant
Sheila N. Swett
Sheila leads the consulting practice with more than four decades of experience in elevator and escalator engineering, modernization design, inspections, asset management, and expert witness testimony. Her work spans major campuses, airports, convention facilities, and commercial portfolios.
Qualified Elevator Consultant (QEC) · QEI certified inspector · Current Executive Director and former President of the International Association of Elevator Consultants
Consultant & inspector
Daniel C. Swett
Daniel works on elevator inspections, code and maintenance evaluations, traffic studies, modernization support, and litigation matters. His project experience includes university campuses and public facilities across the United States.
MSc in Lift Engineering · Qualified Elevator Inspector (QEI) · Licensed elevator inspector in Texas and the City of Houston
Litigation support
Independent analysis when the details matter.
Elevator incidents can involve equipment design, maintenance, operation, inspection history, and code requirements. We help legal teams develop a technical understanding of the equipment and the questions at issue.
Discuss a caseTechnical case reviewEquipment records, service history, and incident facts.
Site and equipment assessmentEvaluation of relevant systems and physical conditions.
Expert opinions and testimonyClear explanations grounded in the available evidence.
Prior litigation engagementMiami-Dade County v. KONE Elevator Inc., plaintiff-side litigation support and expert witnessing.
Selected major projects
Experience across campuses, public facilities, and commercial portfolios.
Selected work includes modernization, new construction, inspections, maintenance assessments, and lifecycle planning for complex vertical transportation systems.
Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center, Dallas
Consulting for the modernization of vertical transportation equipment throughout the facility.
Huntsville International Airport
Elevator and escalator modernization consulting and master planning.
University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa
Condition evaluation, asset inventory, and modernization planning across a large campus portfolio.
Washington University School of Medicine
Modernization and equipment lifecycle planning.
Chicago high-rise developments
Consulting engineering for new construction, including a basement-mounted gearless elevator machine installation.
U.S. Postal Service facilities
Rehabilitation consulting in Chicago and elevator modernization in Washington, D.C.
Boeing facilities, Seattle
Consulting for new elevator installations and modernization of existing systems.
Universities and institutions
Portfolio assessments for The Ohio State University and the University of Illinois, plus work for hospitals, commercial towers, and aviation facilities.
Selected previous engagements
Trusted on work of different scales and disciplines.
The Ohio State UniversityEquipment and maintenance evaluation; maintenance control program
University of MichiganElevator traffic study and analysis
Miami-Dade CountyLitigation support and expert witnessing in a case involving KONE Elevator Inc.
Washington University School of MedicineQualified elevator inspections; new installation and modernization consulting, including bid support, specification writing, and punch list inspections
University of AlabamaQualified elevator inspection services
Jefferson County, AlabamaMaintenance evaluation
University of Texas MedicalMaintenance evaluation
Texas State UniversityMaintenance evaluation
Project descriptions are selected examples of past work and may refer to engagements performed by members of the consulting team.
Start a conversation
Bring us your technical question.
Tell us about the equipment, project, portfolio, or litigation matter. We’ll discuss the scope and the right next step.