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Illinois was one of 16 states that did not allow for the recovery of punitive damages in wrongful death cases – until now. Last year, Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed into law HB 219, which amended the former law to allow punitive damages to be recoverable in wrongful death cases. The new law makes Illinois the…

CHICAGO, IL, December 11, 2023 – Carla Colaianni, a plaintiff’s personal injury trial lawyer at Smith LaCien LLP, was among a group of elite women lawyers who were honored by Law Bulletin Media at a reception at the Westin Hotel in downtown Chicago on November 28. The 2024 honorees were selected based on their legal experience…

Chicago, IL, November 8, 2023 – Jason Williams, an attorney at Smith LaCien LLP, served as chair of a highly intensive two-day conference –“Mastering the Medicine: Birth Injury and Medical Negligence” – hosted by the American Association for Justice (AAJ) on Nov. 2 and 3 at the Waldorf Astoria Buckhead in Atlanta, Ga. A prominent…

CHICAGO/November 2, 2023 – Smith LaCien LLP -Trial Lawyers has been recognized by Best Lawyers as a Tier 1 “2024 Best Law Firm” in two practice areas: Aviation Law and Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs. The firm also ranked high in mass/class action, medical malpractice and product liability. They served as co-lead counsel in the…

CHICAGO, August 17, 2023 – Five attorneys from Smith LaCien LLP have been selected for inclusion in the 2024 Chicago metro edition of The Best Lawyers in America®, a premier attorney rating guide. They are founding partners Todd A. Smith and Brian LaCien, and attorney Carla A. Colaianni. Named as Best Lawyers in America® “Ones to…

CHICAGO, August 17, 2023 – Brian LaCien, a founding partner of Smith LaCien LLP, has been selected as Lawyer of the Year – Aviation in the Chicago metro area and will be included in the 2024 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®, a premier attorney rating guide. This is the second consecutive year that Brian…

CHICAGO, July 21, 2023– Chicago trial lawyer Brian LaCien, a founding partner of Smith LaCien LLP – Trial Lawyers, Chicago, has been appointed to four committees of the American Association for Justice (AAJ). The committees are Evergreen Advisory Board, National Finance Council, Membership Oversight Committee and the Public Affairs Committee. He has been serving on…

CHICAGO, July 14, 2023 – Todd A. Smith, founding partner of Smith LaCien LLP, has been named Lawyer of the Year/Illinois by The Trial Attorneys, the premier independent guide to leading litigation and trial lawyers across the United States. Illinois has more than has more than 94,000 attorneys. Since 2003, The Trial Attorneys has been assisting potential clients…