Smith LaCien Trial Lawyers

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.

04/29/2026

A meaningful and impactful result for the team at Smith LaCien LLP. Congratulations to Brian LaCien and Allyson Cox on securing a record $2.75 million settlement in Blair v. City of Chicago involving injuries caused by a dangerous sidewalk defect in Chicago’s Marquette Park neighborhood.

This landmark outcome underscores the importance of public safety, accountability and protecting vulnerable members of our communities. The settlement is reportedly the highest recovery on record for a sidewalk defect injury according to the Jury Verdict and Settlement Reporter.

Thank you to the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin for spotlighting this important case and sharing the verdict.

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/smithlacien-triallaw-chicagolaw-share-7455340930418642944-I7EQ?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAADCUu-MBAJ8rQkIVSK_rzu7vKSNbYfZvFIk

A meaningful and impactful result for the team at Smith LaCien LLP. Congratulations to Brian LaCien and Allyson Cox on securing a record $2.75 million settlement in Blair v. City of Chicago involving injuries caused by a dangerous sidewalk defect in Chicago’s Marquette Park neighborhood. This land...

04/23/2026

We are pleased to share that Todd A. Smith has received the 2025 Trial Lawyer Lifetime Achievement Award. His outstanding career and successes have been captured in this special issue of the Jury Verdict Reporter. Todd is recognized for his exceptional advocacy, high-dollar verdicts, and ethical standards throughout his passionate career as a personal injury trial attorney.

“I have been able to help people after they have suffered catastrophic, life changing events. To have been able to do that for so long? That’s a privilege.” Todd A. Smith, Founding Partner of Smith LaCien LLP.

Congratulations Todd on this very deserving recognition! Full story included.

Chicago lawyer Todd A. Smith is a founding partner of Smith LaCien LLP, a leading Chicago personal injury law firm whose Chicago medical malpractice lawyers and accident attorneys regularly confront corporations, insurance companies, hospitals, and government agencies on behalf of the everyday people who have suffered catastrophic injuries or wrongful death. For more information, please visit https://www.smithlacien.com/

04/17/2026

A powerful and important segment from FOX 32 Chicago highlights a landmark $51 million Cook County verdict in a medical malpractice case. The case, led by Smith LaCien LLP with expert trial attorneys Todd A. Smith, Jason R. Williams and Andrew W. Mason underscores how a missed blood glucose test during an ER visit led to a devastating, life-altering brain injury—raising serious questions about standard screening protocols and patient safety.

Thank you Fox 32 Chicago for showcasing the importance of protecting patients through proper emergency care.

Watch the full story:

A routine hospital visit for a severe headache turned into a life-changing outcome for a 47-year-old man after what attorneys say was a missed diagnosis.