Atty. Brian LaCien
Chicago trial attorney Brian LaCien is a founding partner of Smith LaCien LLP. He has a broad range of experience in the areas of medical malpractice, professional negligence, wrongful death, class actions, trucking litigation, product liability, aviation negligence, civil rights violations and premises liability.
Profile Summary
About Brian LaCien at a glance
Brian LaCien is a medical malpractice, personal injury, class action, product liability, and aviation attorney based in Chicago, Illinois, practicing at Smith LaCien LLP. They have 24+ years of legal experience, licensed to practice since 2002. Admitted to practice in Illinois (2002). Educated at DePaul University (J.D., 2002) and The University of Iowa (B.A., 1999). Recognitions include Best Lawyers in America — Aviation Law (2026), Best Lawyers in America — Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Plaintiffs (2026), and Best Lawyers in America — Medical Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs (2026). Serands clients in Chicago, IL and the surrounding metropolitan area.
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About
- Chicago trial attorney Brian LaCien is a founding partner of Smith LaCien LLP. He has a broad range of experience in the areas of medical malpractice, professional negligence, wrongful death, class actions, trucking litigation, product liability, aviation negligence, civil rights violations and premises liability
- LaCien and Todd A. Smith, also a founding partner, have a long track record of achieving exceptional results for clients, with more than $2 billion in verdicts and settlements and over 100 cases with results of at least $1 million
- LaCien was selected by the Board of Managers of the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association (ITLA) to serve on the Association of Justice (AAJ) Board of Governors for the 2020-22 fiscal year
- He is a past chair of AAJ’s Aviation Section
- A long-time member of the Illinois State Bar Association, he is a past chair of the Tort Law Section
- LaCien began his career as an assistant legal counsel to the Illinois House of Representatives
- He received a J.D., magna cum laude, from DePaul University College of Law, where he was elected to the Order of the Coif
- He was recognized by the Illinois SuperLawyers as a “Rising Star” and then designated as a SuperLawyer every year since 2011
- Recognized by Leading Lawyers annually since 2014, he has been included on its list as a Top Ten Emerging Lawyer. “Empathy is essential in my role in dealing with clients and explaining fully to them what litigation involves,” LaCien said. “Clients look to me to ensure that they will receive fair compensation
- I remind them it’s my job to focus on their case while they focus on their recovery.”
Practice Areas Explained
Brian LaCien's Areas of Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Brian LaCien handles, with a brief overview of what that area of law covers.
Medical malpractice lawyers represent patients harmed by negligent doctors, hospitals, and other providers. Free case review, no fee unless you win.
Brian LaCien is one of 49,086 medical malpractice attorneys indexed nationally. Browse medical malpractice attorneys in Illinois →
Personal injury attorneys help accident victims recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain & suffering. Most work on contingency — no fee unless you win.
Brian LaCien is one of 264,852 personal injury attorneys indexed nationally. Browse personal injury attorneys in Illinois →
Brian LaCien is one of 26,424 class action attorneys indexed nationally. Browse class action attorneys in Illinois →
Brian LaCien is one of 66,193 product liability attorneys indexed nationally. Browse product liability attorneys in Illinois →
Aviation attorneys for aircraft accidents, FAA regulation, pilot defense, and aviation industry matters.
Brian LaCien is one of 9,225 aviation attorneys indexed nationally. Browse aviation attorneys in Illinois →
Jurisdictional Context
Why local counsel matters in Illinois
Practicing law in Illinois. Legal matters in Illinois are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Chicago are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate Illinois state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in Illinois brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this andnue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in Illinois courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.
Looking for additional Illinois attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Chicago or all attorneys in Illinois.
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