Latest News About Our Firm

Cook County jury awards $1.9 million

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Modern Mentoring: Adaptation Is Key to Lawyer’s Success

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“Doggedly Aggressive” Litigation: Success in Medical Malpractice Law with Smith Lacien’s Jason Williams

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Launched during the pandemic, Smith LaCien’s work on Sterigenics cases helped firm reach top 10 of JVR Settlements Report.

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Jason Williams presented a workshop to trial lawyers at a recent AAJ conference titled “Mastering the Medicine.”

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Smith LaCien’s work on Sterigenics cases helped
firm reach top 10 of JVR Settlements Report

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Our attorney Carla Colaianni was among women featured in the Law Bulletin Media’s “2023 Women in Law special supplement.

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$13M Settlement Reached in Birth Injury Suit

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Smith LaCien Founding Partners Ranked In Top Illinois Leading Lawyers

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Our founding partner, Todd A. Smith, was named by AI International magazine as the Leading Personal Injury Lawyer-Illinois and is profiled in their current issue.

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Our attorneys Carla Colaianni and Allyson Cox wrote an informative article about birth injury cases for the Women’s Bar Association newsletter

Read it here: https://wbaillinois.org/blog/how-birth-injury-lawyers-help-families/

Latte with a Lawyer

Smith LaCien founding partner Brian LaCien was a recent guest on Jonathan Brickman’s Spotify podcast where he talked about his career path, the impact of Covid on the legal profession and the critical importance of case preparation in the practice of injury law. Check it out here. https://tinyurl.com/2p82bxv2

Todd Smith Featured in Chicago Lawyer Story

Chicago personal injury lawyer Todd Smith was among six law firm managing partners who shared their insights with Chicago Lawyer on the pandemic’s impact, pay increases, a potential recession and other changes. Todd noted that litigation has historically weathered an economic downturn.  Full article here.

Smith LaCien Celebrates Successful 2022

LaCien Interviewed on “WGN Investigates”

Smith LaCien founding partner Brian LaCien discusses how his client became wheelchair-bound by vaping on a WGN TV news segment which aired November 10, 2022.

Lawdragon Publishing

Todd Smith named to Lawdragon Hall of Fame

In a 5-page article, he reflects on his legal past, present, future

Chicago Daily Law Bulletin

Brian LaCien speaks at Law 360 conference

Discusses damages and marijuana in personal injury lawsuits

Chicago Daily Law Bulletin

The family of a woman who died after a failed endoscopy at a suburban hospital settled a wrongful death suit for $7.3 million.

Chicago Daily Law Bulletin

A man who allegedly suffered a spinal injury from an accident during a bubble ball game as a teenager settles a lawsuit for $10 million.

Lawdragon Publishing

Love Of Learning Leads To Success In The Courtroom

Todd A. Smith is featured as a “2021 Top 500 Leading Lawyers in America” in the December 2021 issue of LawDragon magazine.

Lawdragon Publishing

LaCien Featured In LawDragon 500

Brian LaCien is featured in the 2022 Lawdragon 500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers.

Chicago Daily Law Bulletin

Court approves $42 million Takata settlement

Todd A. Smith served as co-lead counsel for economic loss in the multi-district case.

Chicago Daily Law Bulletin

Smith Elected to IATL Board

Chicago Daily Law Bulletin reported that Todd Smith was elected for a 3-year term to the prestigious IATL board.

Where Might Ford Take Us?

Trial magazine published an article by Todd A. Smith and Allyson Cox about how the courts have applied SCOTUS’s unanimous 2021 ruling in Ford Motor Co. v. Montana—and the collective impact on personal jurisdiction.

Smith LaCien Lawyer Jason Williams in ISBA Bar News

Smith LaCien’s newly hired attorney Jason Williams is featured in the ISBA Bar News blog.

Brian LaCien Interviewed on “WGN Investigates”

Smith LaCien founding partner Brian LaCien and the firm’s client Tyler Meier discuss the importance of getting automotive recalls repaired during a “WGN Investigates” TV segment on the June 30, 2021, evening newscast.

AAJ Trial Magazine

Todd Smith Interviews AAJ CEO for Profile

A past President of the American Association of Justice (AAJ), Todd was invited to conduct an interview with its CEO Linda Lipsen for a profile in the April 2021 issue of Trial magazine.

Illinois SuperLawyers Magazine/Skyline

Todd Smith Selected by Peers As #2 Lawyer in Illinois

Skyline noted in its March 10, 2021 edition that Todd was named the #2 lawyer in all categories in the 2021 Illinois Super Lawyers magazine.

Chicago Lawyer Magazine

Todd Smith Shares the Challenges Of Running a Law Practice Remotely

Launching a new firm during the pandemic? Todd Smith is surprised it didn’t ruin his plans. He is featured in Chicago Lawyer magazine, sharing his experience.

Chicago Daily Law Bulletin

Flu fiasco of ’76 offers lesson in fight to immunize public against COVID-19

Partner Todd Smith wrote a thoughtful article in the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin about the Flu fiasco of ’76 and the lessons we can learn in immunizing the public against COVID-19.

Lawdragon Publishing

Lawyer Limelight: Todd A. Smith

Lawdragon featured Todd Smith in their popular Limelight section.

Best Lawyers Midwest

Justice in the Age of Covid-19

In the fall 2020 issues of Best Lawyers Midwest magazine, Todd A. Smith writes about the Covid-19 pandemic and how it has significantly impacted the way justice is delivered across the U.S.

Crain’s Chicago Business

Immunize People – Not Corporate Wrongdoing, by Todd A. Smith

Efforts to find an effective COVID-19 vaccine to protect the public are well underway, and some show great promise. Meanwhile, our only recourse is protection of another kind: face coverings, hand sanitizer, social distancing and quarantine.

ISBA Bar News

Smith LaCien Founding Partner Todd A. Smith Named to 2021 Best Lawyers List

Illinois State Bar Association “Bar News” story from August 4, 2020 on Todd A. Smith included in 2021 list of Best Lawyers in America.

Chicago Daily Law Bulletin

What Can Be Learned from the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire?

An insightful article comparing society’s Covid-19 response to reforms after the famous 1911 fire, by partner Todd A. Smith. Featured in the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, July 13, 2020.

Chicago Daily Law Bulletin

LaCien Selected for AAJ Board of Governors

Chicago Daily Law Bulletin’s June 19, 2020 people in the news hails partner Brian LaCien for his selection to the Association of Justice Board of Governors.

Chicago Sun-Times

Lawsuit continues on in the Circuit Court of Cook County against toxic polluter.

The Sun-Times covered this important story, as Todd A. Smith continues representing residents harmed by toxins released into a local suburban neighborhood. Article July 19, 2019.

Chicago Daily Law Bulletin

Smith, LaCien Launch Own Law Firm

The Chicago Daily Law Bulletin May 4, 2020 article on our new firm, giving more background on, and interview quotes from, our founding partners. It also explores the firm’s goals and the transition of pending cases.

Chicago Skyline

Legal Eagles – Congratulations to Todd A. Smith

Skyline news story on Smith LaCien LLP featuring Todd A. Smith, May 20, 2020 and the launch of the new firm.

Chicago Daily Law Bulletin

Smith LaCien LLP to Concentrate in Catastrophic Injury, Medical Malpractice

Todd A. Smith and Brian LaCien, two of Chicago’s top trial lawyers, have launched the firm Smith LaCien LLP, concentrating in catastrophic injury and wrongful death.

Leading Lawyers Magazine

Leading Lawyers Profiles Todd A. Smith

Leading Lawyers magazine 2019 in-depth profile feature on our founding partner, Todd Smith, and a perspective on his career as a leader among trial lawyers.

Chicago Daily Law Bulletin

Leadership Named for Sterigenics Suits

The Chicago Daily Law Bulletin’s article from October 29, 2019 including co-lead counsel Todd Smith on a commercial sterilizing company that emitted carcinogens into a local suburban community.

Chicago Daily Law Bulletin

City Settles for $9.5M with Cyclist

The Chicago Daily Law Bulletin’s September 19, 2019 story on a cyclist who suffered traumatic brain injury after an accident due to a poorly maintained bike route.

Chicago Daily Law Bulletin

Pedestrian Hit in Lot to Get $3.5M

The Chicago Daily Law Bulletin’s article from January 30, 2019 on a woman who received a $3.5M settlement for injuries she sustained in a grocery store parking lot.

Chicago Daily Law Bulletin

Contracted Doctors at Peoria Hospital Keep Liability in Play

An article from January 12, 2018 on overturning the dismissal of a malpractice case, represented by Todd Smith and Brian LaCien.

Chicago Daily Law Bulletin

$702.7M Class Settlement on Air Bags OK’d

The Chicago Daily Law Bulletin’s article from March 1, 2018 on settlement with Honda and Nissan led by co-lead counsel Todd Smith.

Emerging Lawyers Magazine

Brian LaCien Profiled in Emerging Lawyers Magazine

Emerging Lawyers 2016 profile of our partner Brian LaCien and his exceptional performance in personal injury law.

Chicago Daily Law Bulletin

$8.15M Deal in Helicopter Fatality Case

The Chicago Daily Law Bulletin’s article on Todd Smith and Brian LaCien’s setting a state record for a helicopter liability case.

Chicago Daily Law Bulletin

Parties in motorcycle crash settle for $8M

The Chicago Daily Law Bulletin’s  story on settlement for victims of a motorcycle crash represented by Todd Smith and Brian LaCien.

Chicago Daily Law Bulletin

Camp to Pay $4.5M to Settle Family’s Lawsuit

An article covering the settlement for a family, represented by Todd Smith and Brian LaCien, whose son drowned at summer camp.

Chicago Sun-Times

$18.5M Settlement in Transformers Accident

A Chicago Sun-Times story on a settlement obtained by Todd Smith on behalf of a movie extra who suffered a brain injury on the set of a Transformers movie.

More Articles

• Recall Over Air Bags is Largest Ever
• $11M Settlement for Boy Scout Injured in 2010 Car Crash
• New York Times – Bush’s Next Target: Malpractice Lawyers