Atty. Todd A. Smith
Biography: Todd A. Smith, Founding Partner, Smith LaCien LLP Making Access to Justice a Personal Crusade A native of Evanston, Ill., and with a law degree from Loyola University Chicago School of Law, Todd A.
Aviation Law & More Attorney · Serving Chicago, IL · 50+ Years Experience
Profile Summary
About Todd A. Smith at a Glance
Todd A. Smith is a medical malpractice, personal injury, class action, product liability, and aviation attorney based in Chicago, Illinois, practicing at Smith LaCien LLP. They have 50+ years of legal experience, licensed to practice since 1976. Admitted to practice in Illinois (1976) and District of Columbia (2012). Educated at Loyola University Chicago (J.D., 1976) and Northwestern College (MBA, 1973). 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). Serves clients in Chicago, IL and the surrounding metropolitan area.
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About Todd A. Smith
Biography
- Todd A. Smith, Founding Partner, Smith LaCien LLP Making Access to Justice a Personal Crusade A native of Evanston, Ill., and with a law degree from Loyola University Chicago School of Law, Todd A. Smith, a founding partner with Brian LaCien of Smith LaCien LLP, has practiced law for over 40 years
- He has won some of the largest multi-million dollar jury awards and settlements in serious personal injury, product liability, wrongful death, and medical malpractice cases in Illinois
- Whether product liability, aviation disaster, or medical malpractice, he stands with working people—people who find it harder to navigate the court system—as they fight against powerful corporations, insurance companies, hospitals, and government agencies
- He has made access to justice a personal crusade
- A leader among personal injury trial lawyers in the United States, Mr. Smith is a past President of the leading trial lawyer group in the world—the 60,000-member Association of Trial Lawyers of America (now the American Association for Justice)
- He was the recipient of its 2010 Lifetime Achievement Award, and in 2015 he received its highest award, The Leonard M. Ring Champion of Justice Award
- Mr. Smith was invited to join and entered membership in the selective Inner Circle of Advocates, an exclusive group of 100 of the very best civil trial lawyers in the United States
- As President of the 37,000-member Illinois State Bar Association, he led the battle against the threats that inhibit citizens from obtaining justice in the courts, including cutbacks in legal services for the poor and the inability of people of modest means to afford a lawyer
- In his legal work, Mr. Smith currently serves as co-lead counsel in the largest U.S. automotive recall case ever, where tens of millions of Takata airbags were found to be defective and thus far has recovered $1.55 billion for millions of US consumers
- He recently obtained medical malpractice settlements of $17.25 million and $20 million in catastrophic injury/medical malpractice cases
- One of the top trial lawyers in Illinois as well as the country, he is annually listed in the highly regarded Best Lawyers in America referral book
- He was ranked in the top 3 of the 2020 Super Lawyers publication and in the Top Five 2020 Leading Lawyers listing published by Chicago Law Bulletin Media
- He is listed at or near the top of the Chicago Lawyer Magazine survey of multi-million dollar personal injury settlements including a listing as Number 1, with $70-million in recovery for his clients
- As a result of his success for his clients, Mr. Smith has been featured in numerous publications including the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times, USA Today, Chicago Magazine, and the New York Times, among others
- He was recently voted Chicago Lawyer magazine's "Person of the Year" and featured on its cover
- He and his wife, lawyer Marcia Fridel-Smith, reside in Chicago
- They have two adult children
- Smith LaCien LLP is located at 70 W Madison, Ste. 2250, Chicago, IL 60602, website: www.smithlacien.com, phone (312) 509-8900, email: [email protected]
Practice Areas Explained
Todd A. Smith's Areas of Legal Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Todd A. Smith handles, with a practical overview of what that area of law involves and how it may apply to your situation in Chicago.
Medical Malpractice in Chicago
Medical malpractice lawyers represent patients harmed by negligent doctors, hospitals, and other providers. Free case review, no fee unless you win.
Todd A. Smith is one of 48,593 medical malpractice attorneys indexed nationally. Browse medical malpractice attorneys in Illinois →
Personal Injury in Chicago
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.
Todd A. Smith is one of 262,557 personal injury attorneys indexed nationally. Browse personal injury attorneys in Illinois →
Class Action in Chicago
Todd A. Smith is one of 26,226 class action attorneys indexed nationally. Browse class action attorneys in Illinois →
Product Liability in Chicago
Todd A. Smith is one of 65,610 product liability attorneys indexed nationally. Browse product liability attorneys in Illinois →
Aviation Law in Chicago
Aviation attorneys for aircraft accidents, FAA regulation, pilot defense, and aviation industry matters.
Todd A. Smith is one of 9,145 aviation attorneys indexed nationally. Browse aviation attorneys in Illinois →
Jurisdictional Context
Why Local Counsel Matters in Chicago
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 venue, 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.
Chicago Courts and Legal Process
Choosing a Chicago-based attorney means your counsel already knows the local docketing timelines, preferred filing formats, and how individual judges typically rule on procedural motions — details that only come from practicing in this jurisdiction day after day. That local familiarity can translate to better strategy, faster filings, and fewer costly surprises.
Looking for additional Illinois attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Chicago or all attorneys in Illinois.
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Professional Profile
Why Clients in Chicago Choose Todd A. Smith
Selecting an attorney is one of the most consequential decisions you can make when a legal matter arises. Below are the core qualities that distinguish Todd A. Smith's practice in the field of medical malpractice, personal injury, class action, product liability, and aviation.
Decade-Tested Legal Experience
Todd A. Smith brings 50+ years of hands-on legal practice — enough to have navigated the recurring fact patterns, procedural traps, and negotiation dynamics that shape case outcomes.
Multi-State Bar Admission
Licensed in Illinois and District of Columbia, Todd A. Smith can represent clients in cases that span state lines or require counsel in multiple jurisdictions.
Broad Practice Area Coverage
Covering medical malpractice, personal injury, and class action, Todd A. Smith can address the full spectrum of a client's legal needs without requiring referrals to separate specialists for each issue.
Local Presence in Chicago
A Chicago-based practice means Todd A. Smith attends hearings in the same courthouses, knows the local clerks, and understands the unwritten scheduling norms that affect every case filed here.
Case Types
Common Legal Issues Todd A. Smith Handles in Chicago
Below is a representative sample of the types of matters Todd A. Smith has experience with under Illinois law. If your situation involves one of these case categories, this attorney may be well positioned to help you understand your options.
This list is illustrative, not exhaustive. Contact Todd A. Smith directly to discuss the specifics of your situation.
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How People Find Todd A. Smith Online
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Todd A. Smith's Practice Areas & Specializations
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