Practice Areas: Personal Injury, Aviation & Aerospace, Medical Malpractice; view more
Licensed in Illinois since: 1976
Education: Loyola University Chicago School of Law
Selected to Super Lawyers: 2005 - 2025 Call today:
312-815-6455
Smith LaCien LLP
Three First National Plaza70 West Madison, Suite 2250
Chicago, IL 60602 Visit website
Details
Todd A. Smith is a personal injury attorney with over 40 years of experience. A founding partner of Smith LaCien LLP, Mr. Smith, handles matters involving aviation accidents, birth injury, construction accidents, medical malpractice and trucking accidents. He serves clients throughout the Chicagoland area.
Over the course of his career, Mr. Smith has obtained numerous major recoveries against corporations, government agencies, hospitals and insurance companies, helping his clients to cope with the long aftermath of a terrible injury.
Prior to practicing personal injury law, Mr. Smith served as an assistant public defender in the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County Criminal Division. He also practiced at various private firms before founding Smith LaCien LLP.
Mr. Smith is a seasoned trial attorney and the recipient of many awards over the course of his career. He is listed in the publication “The Best Lawyers in America” and consistently appears on Chicago Lawyer magazine’s list of multimillion-dollar personal injury settlements.
The Illinois State Bar Association and the American Association for Justice have presented Mr. Smith with various awards over the years and he has served as president of both organizations. He is also a former president of the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association. He is an active member of the American College of Trial Lawyers, the International Academy of Trial Lawyers, the International Society of Barristers and the Inner Circle of Advocates.
Mr. Smith earned a bachelor’s degree from Kansas University and received a master of business administration degree from Northwestern University. He obtained his law degree from Loyola University Chicago School of Law. He holds a license to practice law before all Illinois state courts.
Practice areas
Personal Injury - General: Plaintiff, Aviation and Aerospace, Personal Injury - Medical Malpractice: Plaintiff, Construction Litigation: BusinessFocus areas
Construction Defects
- 30% Personal Injury - General: Plaintiff
- 30% Aviation and Aerospace
- 30% Personal Injury - Medical Malpractice: Plaintiff
- 10% Construction Litigation: Business
First Admitted: 1976, Illinois
Professional Webpage: https://www.smithlacien.com/attorney/smith-todd-a/
Bar/Professional Activity:
- Illinois State Bar Association, President
- Illinois State Bar Association, Associate Editor, 1990-92
- Illinois State Bar Association, Elected, ISBA Treasurer, 1993-94
- Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, Constitutional Challenge Committee, 1995-97
- Trial Lawyers for Public Justice
- Francis W. Parker School, 2001-2010; Life Trustee, 2010
- Admitted to Northern District of Illinois, 1980
- Association of Trial Lawyers of America, Secretary, 2001-02
- Association of Trial Lawyers of America, Member, Vice Chair, Legal Affairs Committee, 1992-93 and 1996-98
- Association of Trial Lawyers of America, Member, Mass Tort Subcommittee, 1992-93
- Illinois State Bar Association, Board Liaison to Illinois Bar Journal, 1991-93
- Illinois State Bar Association, Member, Standing Committee on Budget & Audit, 1993-94
- Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, Chairman, Seminar Planning, 1992-94
- Loyola University Chicago School of Law, Alumni, 1991-2000
- National Center for State Courts, 2013
- Admitted to U.S. Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit, 1991
- Association of Trial Lawyers of America, Member, Executive Committee, 1998
- Association of Trial Lawyers of America, Member, "M" Club, 1990
- Association of Trial Lawyers of America, Elected Member, Organization and Home Office Committee, 1994-96
- Chicago Bar Association, Member, Federal Trial Advocacy Program Faculty 1984
- Illinois State Bar Association, Bench and Bar Section, 1992-93
- ISBA Mutual Insurance Company, First Vice President, 1998-99
- Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, Chairman, Amicus Curiae Committee, 1987-89
- The Society of Trial Lawyers, 1992-1995
- American College of Trial Lawyers, Fellow, 1996
- American Bar Association, Member, Tort and Insurance Practice Section
- Association of Trial Lawyers of America, Roscoe Pound Foundation, Fellow, Trustee, 1999
- ISBA Mutual Insurance Company, Chairman of the Board, 1999-2000
- Chicago Bar Association, Past Chairman, Subcommittee on Legislation of Tort Litigation Section
- Illinois State Bar Association, Member, Rules & By-Laws Committee, 1990-91
- ISBA Mutual Insurance Company, Chair, Nominating Committee, 1999-2000
- Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, Member, Board of Managers, 1985
- Roscoe Pound Foundation, 1999-2006
- American Bar Association, Member, House of Delegates, 1995-99
- Association of Trial Lawyers of America, Roscoe Pound Foundation, Chair, Regional Judges Forum, 2000
- Association of Trial Lawyers of America, Member, Steering Subcommittee on Special Events
- Illinois State Bar Association, President-Elect, 1996-97
- Illinois State Bar Association, Board of Directors, Illinois Bar Foundation
- Illinois Bar Foundation, Fundraising Steering Committee, 2000
- Loyola University of Chicago School of Law, Alumni Board of Directors, 1991-2000
- Illinois Bar Foundation, 2000-2008
- Appellate Lawyers Association, Member, Board of Directors, 1991-93
- Association of Trial Lawyers of America, Chair, Constitutional Litigation Committee, 1993-94
- Association of Trial Lawyers of America, Fellow, Civil Justice Foundation, 1989
- Illinois State Bar Association, Member, Editorial Board of the Illinois Bar Journal, 1989-92
- Illinois State Bar Association, Elected Member, Scope & Correlation Committee, 1992-93
- Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, Nominating Committee, 1998
- The Society of Trial Lawyers, Member, Board of Directors, 1992-95
- Public Justice Foundation, 2008; Executive Committee, 2012
- Admitted to Illinois Bar, 1976
- Association of Trial Lawyers of America, Vice President, 2002-03
- Association of Trial Lawyers of America, Chair, Coordinating Committee of State Relations, 1999-2000
- Association of Trial Lawyers of America, Member, Federal Rules Committee, 1991-93
- Illinois State Bar Association, Elected Member, Board of Governors, 1991-99
- Illinois State Bar Association, Chair, Standing Committee on Investments, 1993-94
- Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, Chairman, Constitutional Litigation Committee, 1992-94
- Trial Lawyers Club of Chicago, 1987-1998
- Center for Constitutional Litigation, 2012
- Admitted to U.S. District Court Central District of Illinois, 1994
- Association of Trial Lawyers of America, Parliamentarian, 1999-2000
- Association of Trial Lawyers of America, Member, Eagles Club, 1998
- Association of Trial Lawyers of America, Program Advisory Committee 1994 ATLA Annual Convention
- Association of Trial Lawyers of America, Elaine Osborne Jacobson Award Selection Committee, 2002
- Illinois State Bar Association, Health Care Section, 1991-92
- Illinois State Bar Association, Member, Standing Committee on Legislation, 2000
- Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, Rules of Professional Conduct Committee, 1990-92
- Appellate Lawyers Association, 1991-1993
- American Board of Trial Advocates, Fellow, 1999
- American Bar Association, Member, Litigation Section -- Task Force on the Independent
- Association of Trial Lawyers of America, Chair, ATLA PAC board of trustees - 2005
- Association of Trial Lawyers of America, Constitutional Litigation Committee, 1988-95
- Chicago Bar Association, Judicial Evaluation Committee 1985-90
- Illinois State Bar Association, Civil Practice & Procedure, 1993-94
- ISBA Mutual Insurance Company, Chair, Executive Committee, 1999-2000
- Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, Member, Legislative Committee, 1989-93
- ISBA Mutual Insurance Company, 1995
- International Society of Barristers, Fellow, 1996
- American Bar Association, Member, Editorial Board of the "Brief", 1990-92
- Association of Trial Lawyers of America, Chair, Aviation Law Section, 1994-95; Vice Chair, Aviation Law Section, 1992-94
- Association of Trial Lawyers of America, Fundraising Events Subcommittee, 1988-89
- Illinois State Bar Association, President, 1997-98
- Illinois State Bar Association, Life Fellow, Illinois Bar Foundation
- ISBA Mutual Insurance Company, Chair, Standing Committee on Personnel 1996-97
- Loyola University of Chicago School of Law, President, Law Alumni Association, 1998-99
- Buffalo Prairie Gang Camp, 1999-2003
- American Inn of Court - Markey Wigmore chapter
- Association of Trial Lawyers of America, Co-Chair, Public Affairs Committee, 2002-2003
- Association of Trial Lawyers of America, Trial Lawyers for Public Justice, 1989
- Illinois State Bar Association, Third Vice President, 1994-95
- Illinois State Bar Association, Vice Chair, Task Force on Minorities and the Justice System, 1993-96
- Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, Executive Committee, 2011-2013
- Loyola University of Chicago School of Law, Member, Dean's Circle, 1998
- John Howard Association, 2006-2009
- Association of Trial Lawyers of America, President Elect, 2003-04
- Association of Trial Lawyers of America, Co-Chair, Membership Oversight Committee, 1999-2000
- Association of Trial Lawyers of America, Member, Aviation Advisory Committee, 1991-93
- Illinois State Bar Association, Elected Member, ISBA Assembly, 1990-99
- Illinois State Bar Association, Chair, Assembly Committee on Integrated Bar, 1993-94
- Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, Co-Chairman, Publications Committee, 1995-97
- Trial Lawyers Club of Chicago, Member, Board of Directors, 1987
- Northwestern University School of Music Advisory Board, 2012
- Admitted to U.S. Supreme Court, 1990
- Association of Trial Lawyers of America, Treasurer, 2000-01
- Association of Trial Lawyers of America, Chair, Amicus Curiae Committee, 1990-92
- Association of Trial Lawyers of America, Member, Board of Trustees, National College of Advocacy, 1993-96
- Illinois State Bar Association, International and Immigration Law Section, 1991-93
- Illinois State Bar Association, Chairman, Standing Committee on ISBA Properties, 1994-95
- Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, Chairman, Legislative Committee, 1989-92
- Illinois State Bar Association, 1991-1999
- American Bar Foundation, Fellow, 1996
- Admitted to District of Columbia, 2012
- Association of Trial Lawyers of America, ATLA Endowment, Trustee, 1999
- Association of Trial Lawyers of America, Member, Amicus Curiae Committee, 1988-93
- Association of Trial Lawyers of America, Member, Judicial Independence Committee, 1998-2000
- Chicago Bar Association, Member, Tort Litigation Section
- Illinois State Bar Association, Young Lawyers Section, 1993-94
- ISBA Mutual Insurance Company, Second Vice President, 1997-98
- Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, Secretary, Amicus Curiae Committee, 1985-87
- National College of Advocacy, 1993-1996
- International Academy of Trial Lawyers, Fellow, 1998
- American Bar Association, Member, Space and Aviation Section
- Association of Trial Lawyers of America, Member, Board of Governors, 1989
- ISBA Mutual Insurance Company, Member, Board of Directors, 1995
- Chicago Bar Association, Past Chairman, Subcommittee on Pending Legislation of Tort Litigation Section
- Illinois State Bar Association, Mutual Insurance Company Board Committee on Long Range Planning, 1992-93
- ISBA Mutual Insurance Company, Chair, Reinsurance Committee, 1999-2000
- Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, Loyola University of Chicago School of Law
- ATLA Endowment, 1999
- American Bar Association, Lawyer, 1999
- Association of Trial Lawyers of America, Co-Chair, Legal Affairs Committee, 2000
- Association of Trial Lawyers of America, ATLA PAC Committee, 1989-91
- Illinois State Bar Association, Second Vice President, 1995-96
- Illinois State Bar Association, Member, Standing Committee on Long Range Planning, 1992-93
- Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, President, 2010
- Loyola University of Chicago School of Law, Member, Presidents Club, 1990
- Trial Lawyers Care, 2001-2006
- Association of Trial Lawyers of America, President, 2004 - 05
- Association of Trial Lawyers of America, Chair, Committee on Investments, 1999-2000
- Association of Trial Lawyers of America, Member, Organizational Review Committee, 1991-93
Verdicts/Settlements (Case Results):
- Northern Trust Company and I.D., as Co-Guardians of the Estate of A.D., a Minor, and I.D. v. Advocate Lutheran General Children's Hospital, No. 01 L 11847 (Cook County)
- M.R. v. The University of Illinois Hospital, No. 98 L 467 (Cook County)
- Estate of W.M., a minor v. Crawford Bus Co., 87 L 649
- A.M.H., a minor, by and through her Father and Mother as next friends, J.P. H. and C.H., Individually v. University of Chicago Health Systems, et. al., No. 02 L 2696 (Cook County)
- D.H. v. The University of Chicago Hospital d/b/a Wyler Children’s Hospital; J. Dean Waldman, M.D., Court No. 94 L 16986 (Cook County)
- S.B., as administrator of the estate of J.B. v. Advocate Health and Hospitals Corp., et al., 97 L 16705 (Cook County)
- R.T. and T. T., co-special administrators of the Estate of G.T., Deceased v. Forest Preserve District of DuPage County, et al., 97 L 327 (DuPage County)
- T.D. v. Elite Cartage, et al., 08 L 8426 (Cook County)
- T.B. v. Sherman Hospital, a corporation. et al., No. 00 L 14977 (Cook County)
- Estate of C.P., a minor v. Children's Memorial Hospital, 92 L 6821 (Cook County)
- R. v. Provena, et al., 04 L 306 (Cook County)
- W.R. v. Sudershan D. Saxena, M.D., et. al., No. 00 L 745 (Cook County)
- L.G. v. Poseidon Pools, 88 L 3655
- G. v. Bennet Braun, M.D., et al., 03 L 12779 (Cook County)
- P.S. v. Columbus Hospital, et. al., No. 99 L 8486 (Cook County)
- Estate of D.L., Deceased, et al. v. Chicago Transit Authority, et al., 85 L 20348 (Cook County)
- G.D. v. Lutheran General Hospital, No. 00 L 8534 (Cook County)
- M.G. v. Saint Marv of Nazareth Hospital, No. 96 L 14398 (Cook County)
- B.L., E.S. v. Village of Barrington Hills, et al., 98 L 4793 (Cook County)
- N.B. v. Yolanda DelaCruz, et al., 95 L 18 (Lee County)
- G.B. v. KPMG, LLP, 00 MR 44 (Cook County)
- R.M v. Michael D. Kornblatt, M.D., et al., No. 00 L 14275 (Cook County)
- P.B. and M.B., et al. v. Rush-Presbyterian St. Luke's Medical Center, et al., 91 L 8492 (Cook County)
- D.E. v. Hemker, et al., 09 L 23 (Ogle County)
- The Northern Trust Company v. Advocate Health and Hospitals Corporation d/b/a Advocate Christ Hospital and Medical Center, No. 00 L 3444 (Cook County)
- Estate of J.D. v. Dover Elevator Systems, Inc., et al., 90 L 690
- L.P., Mother & Next Friend of J.R., a minor v. St. Francis Hospital of Evanston, et. al., 04 L 4942 (Cook County)
- A.K. v. Rush-Presbyterian St. Luke's Medical Center, et. al., 98 L 13165 (Cook County)
- Estate of K.M., Deceased v. Kubota Tractor, et al., 87 L 5068
- K.K. and M.K. v. American Home Products, et al., 99 L 6794 (Cook County)
- M.R. v. Loyola University Medical Center, et. al., No. 98 L 9369 (Cook County)
- J.B., a minor, by her mother and next friend, L.B. v. Chicago Housing Authority, et al., 82 L 15783 (Cook County)
- M.B. v. Mohan Airan M.D., No. 00 L 013288 (Cook County)
- A.S., Administrator of the Estate of D.J., deceased v. USAir, Inc., et al., 95 L 2685 (Cook County)
- A.R., Guardian of the Estate of G.C., a disabled person v. Paramount Pictures, et al.
- J.E. and R. E. v. Scott Thorndike and Thoms Proestler Company, 00 L 85 (Rock Island County)
- J.O., Independent Administrator of the Estate of D.O., Deceased v. Lutheran General Medical Group, et al., 93 L 5823 (Cook County)
- P.F. and M.F. v. A.J. Canfield Co., et al., 95 L 9447 (Cook County)
- The Northern Trust Company v. Bradley Allen, M.D., No. 98 L 5560 (Cook County)
- Estate of D.E. v. Mercy Hospital and Medical Center, et al., 92 L 4210
- B.R. v. CBOE, et al., 04 L 1954 (Cook County)
- K.H. v. Waste Management, Inc., et.al., No. 98 L 53 (DeKaIb County)
- Estate of J.M., a minor v. Children's Memorial Hospital, et al., 92 L 6143 (Cook County)
Educational Background:
- B.S.B., Kansas University, Lawrence, Kansas, 1971
- M.B.A., Northwestern University Graduate School of Business, Evanston, Illinois, 1973
Honors/Awards:
- “Medical Malpractice Lawyer of the Year”, 2012
- Lifetime Achievement Award, American Association of Justice, 2009
- The Best Lawyers in America, Since 1995
- Mass Tort Lawyer of the Year, 2011
- Medical Malpractice Lawyer of the Year, 2012
- Illinois State Bar Association’s “Distinguished Award for Excellence, 2015
- Leonard Ring Award, Loyola School of Law, 2015
- Listed by Illinois SuperLawyers as the Number 2 top-rated Illinois lawyer in its 2021 edition – covering all practice areas., He has been on the Illinois Super Lawyers list since its inception in 2005 and regularly ranked in the Top 10.
- Lawdragon 500 Leading Lawyers in America, 2021
- “Lawyer of the Year for Personal Injury Litigation”, 2019
- “The Best Lawyers in America” annually since 1995
- Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Association for Justice, 2009
- “Mass Tort Lawyer of the Year”, 2011
- Illinois State Bar Association, “Distinguished Award for Excellence”, 2015
- Damen Award - Loyola University Chicago School of Chicago - Founders' Day 2002
- TLPJ Trial Lawyer of the Year Finalist - 1999
- Awarded the Medal of Excellence by Loyola University Chicago School of Law, 2005
- Joe Tonahill Award - ATLA Annual Convention 2002
- Chicago Lawyer Magazine - Person of the Year - 1998
- Senator Paul Wellstone Award, 2012
- Listed by Harvard Law Graduates Naifeh and Smith in their book The Best Lawyers in America, 1997-98; 1999-2000; 2001-02; 2003-04
- American Legion Award of Excellence - C. D. Burton Post 808 - 2002
- Law Journal - Loyola University Chicago School of Law
Office location for Todd A. Smith
Three First National Plaza
70 West Madison, Suite 2250
Chicago, IL 60602
Phone: 312-815-6455
Selections
21 Years Super Lawyers
- Super Lawyers: 2005 - 2025
Top Lists
Top 10: Illinois Super Lawyers: 2009 - 2011, 2013 - 2014, 2016 - 2025- Top 10: 2025 Illinois Super Lawyers
- Top 10: 2024 Illinois Super Lawyers
- Top 10: 2023 Illinois Super Lawyers
- Top 10: 2022 Illinois Super Lawyers
- Top 10: 2021 Illinois Super Lawyers
- Top 10: 2020 Illinois Super Lawyers
- Top 10: 2019 Illinois Super Lawyers
- Top 10: 2018 Illinois Super Lawyers
- Top 10: 2017 Illinois Super Lawyers
- Top 10: 2016 Illinois Super Lawyers
- Top 10: 2014 Illinois Super Lawyers
- Top 10: 2013 Illinois Super Lawyers
- Top 10: 2011 Illinois Super Lawyers
- Top 10: 2010 Illinois Super Lawyers
- Top 10: 2009 Illinois Super Lawyers
- Top 100: 2025 Illinois Super Lawyers
- Top 100: 2024 Illinois Super Lawyers
- Top 100: 2023 Illinois Super Lawyers
- Top 100: 2022 Illinois Super Lawyers
- Top 100: 2021 Illinois Super Lawyers
- Top 100: 2020 Illinois Super Lawyers
- Top 100: 2019 Illinois Super Lawyers
- Top 100: 2018 Illinois Super Lawyers
- Top 100: 2017 Illinois Super Lawyers
- Top 100: 2016 Illinois Super Lawyers
- Top 100: 2015 Illinois Super Lawyers
- Top 100: 2014 Illinois Super Lawyers
- Top 100: 2013 Illinois Super Lawyers
- Top 100: 2012 Illinois Super Lawyers
- Top 100: 2011 Illinois Super Lawyers
- Top 100: 2010 Illinois Super Lawyers
- Top 100: 2009 Illinois Super Lawyers
- Top 100: 2008 Illinois Super Lawyers
- Top 100: 2007 Illinois Super Lawyers
- Top 100: 2006 Illinois Super Lawyers
- Top 100: 2005 Illinois Super Lawyers
