Smith LaCien Trial Lawyers

10/14/2026

🎙️ New episode of Elawvate: The Trial Lawyer Podcast is live with Todd and Brian!
Some lawyers spend their careers avoiding the toughest cases. Todd A. Smith and Brian LaCien built theirs around taking them on.
Founders of Chicago's Smith LaCien LLP, Todd and Brian have secured over 100 verdicts and settlements above $1 million. In this episode, they sit down with host Rahul Ravipudi to break down:
⚖️ A $51 million emergency-room verdict — the third-highest med-mal award for an adult in Illinois history — that hinged on a single missing blood test
🚆 A railroad crossing case they navigated through brutal federal preemption law
🎯 How Todd keeps ironclad control on cross-examination
🔑 Why Brian says juries can always spot a lawyer who isn't being authentic
👥 How the mentors who shaped their careers still show up in the way they try cases today
This is a masterclass in trial strategy from two attorneys who've built their careers on the cases everyone else shies away from.
🎧 Listen to the full episode: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/you-become-the-lawyers-you-learn-from-with-todd/id1559548565?i=1000791977105

09/18/2026

Brian LaCien on the Personal Injury Marketing Minute Podcast 🎙️

Smith LaCien, LLP founding partner Brian LaCien joined host Lindsey Busfield on Personal Injury Marketing Minute to discuss how AI is transforming personal injury law.

Brian shares insights on using AI to streamline case management, research and analysis—while navigating its limitations and the importance of responsible use.

This is a timely conversation for legal professionals looking to stay ahead as technology reshapes the practice of law. Please listen to the episode here: https://optimizemyfirm.com/pimm-154/

09/17/2026

The fatal Amazon Air/21 Air Boeing 767 runway overrun at Miami International Airport raises serious questions that demand a thorough, evidence-driven investigation.
Investigators must examine the stability of the approach, the aircraft’s speed and touchdown point, the flight crew’s decision-making, braking and reverse-thrust performance, weather conditions, air-traffic control, and the safeguards available beyond the runway.
Aviation disasters rarely result from one isolated mistake.
Understanding every contributing factor is essential—not only to determine what happened, but also to prevent another tragedy.
I appreciated the opportunity to have been invited as an aviation legal expert to discuss these issues during three recent appearances on NBC Chicago and FOX 32 Chicago. My thoughts remain with the victims, their families, and everyone affected.


https://www.nbcchicago.com/video/news/5-dead-after-amazon-cargo-plane-overruns-runway-in-miami/3985585/

08/27/2026

🏆 Big news from Smith LaCien LLP!
We're thrilled to announce that founding partner Brian LaCien has been named the 2027 "Lawyer of the Year" for Aviation Law in Chicago by Best Lawyers® — one of the highest individual honors in the legal profession, awarded to just one attorney per practice area, per city, based on outstanding peer feedback.
Brian was also recognized in Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions, Medical Malpractice Law, and Personal Injury Litigation.
This achievement caps off a banner year for our firm — six Smith LaCien attorneys were honored in the 2027 Best Lawyers® rankings, including two on the Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch list:
⭐ Brian LaCien
⭐ Carla Colaianni
⭐ Jason Williams
⭐ Todd A. Smith
⭐ Allyson C. Cox
⭐ Andrew W. Mason
Congratulations to Brian and our entire team on this incredible recognition — a true reflection of the dedication we bring to every client we serve.

08/24/2026

Congratulations to Allyson C. Cox and Andrew W. Mason! 🎉

Smith LaCien, LLP is proud to announce that Allyson C. Cox and Andrew W. Mason have been recognized as 2027 Best Lawyers®: Ones to Watch in America honorees.

Both attorneys are recognized for their outstanding work in Medical Malpractice Law, Personal Injury Litigation, and Product Liability Litigation, with Allyson also recognized for her specialty in Civil Rights Law and Andrew for Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law.

This prestigious recognition reflects their exceptional legal talent, dedication to their clients and commitment to achieving justice. This is a well-deserved honor for Allyson and Andrew!

08/20/2026

Leading Chicago personal injury law firm, Smith LaCien, LLP, is proud to announce that four of its attorneys have been recognized in the 2027 edition of Best Lawyers®.

Best Lawyers® and related recognitions highlight individuals who demonstrate exceptional professional excellence within their practice areas and geographic regions. Because recognitions are based entirely on evaluations from fellow lawyers, Best Lawyers® awards serve as a trusted resource for clients seeking experienced, respected legal counsel. Congratulations to founding partners Todd A. Smith and Brian LaCien and to attorneys Carla A. Colainni and Jason Williams for being named The Best Lawyers in America (2027 Edition).

08/14/2026

Smith LaCien LLP is proud to announce that five of our attorneys have been recognized on the prestigious 2027 Illinois Super Lawyers® list. Congratulations to Carla A. Colaianni, Brian LaCien, Todd A. Smith, Allyson C. Cox and Andrew W. Mason on this well-deserved recognition.

We are proud of the exceptional advocacy, dedication and commitment these attorneys bring to their clients and the legal profession every day. Congratulations to all five!

07/27/2026

Yesterday, founding partner, Todd A. Smith, celebrated the career of U.S. Senator Dick Durbin aboard the Odyssey ship in Chicago. The spectacular event was hosted by Smith LaCien LLP. The gathering brought together trial lawyers and legal leaders from across the country to discuss advancing justice, protecting consumers, and strengthening the civil justice system.

06/03/2026

Congratulations to Todd A. Smith on being named the recipient of the prestigious Leonard M. Ring Lifetime Achievement Award, one of the highest honors presented by the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association (ITLA).
A founding partner of Smith LaCien LLP, Todd has dedicated his career to advocating for clients in complex aviation, trucking, medical malpractice, product liability, personal injury, and professional negligence cases. This award recognizes not only his outstanding legal accomplishments, but also his longstanding commitment to ITLA, the legal profession, and the pursuit of justice.
Todd will be honored at the ITLA Annual Convention on June 5 in Chicago.
Read more: https://iltla.com/?pg=Blog&blAction=showEntry&blogEntry=146016

Email from Illinois Trial Lawyers Association PRESS RELEASE June 2, 2026 Contact: Kevilee Nibbe (800) 252-8501 or (217) 789-0755 TODD A. SMITH TO BE AWARDED LEONARD M. RING LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

05/11/2026

A significant settlement and an important step toward accountability and public safety.

Smith LaCien LLP attorneys Brian LaCien and Andrew W. Mason secured a $23 million settlement on behalf of 3 victims impacted by the tragic 2020 Metra train collision at the dangerous 87th Street and Pulaski Road crossing in Chicago.

The case centered on longstanding safety concerns surrounding the skewed railroad crossing design — an intersection that had been the site of prior serious crashes and fatalities. Following years of warnings and recommendations for change, the crossing has since been redesigned and operational safety measures updated to help prevent future tragedies.

The $43 million settlement also includes $20 million for the death of a man who was represented by separate counsel.

“We are glad that the plaintiffs and their family can move on with their lives and that the dangerous intersection has been changed so that similar accidents cannot happen again,” said Brian LaCien.

This case reflects the power of advocacy not only to secure justice for victims and families, but also to drive meaningful safety changes that protect entire communities.