Brian LaCien - Chicago, IL
Attorney at Smith LaCien LLP
Catastrophic Personal Injury Lawyers in Chicago, IL
Three First National Plaza 70 West Madison, Suite 2250 Chicago, IL 60602
- Free Consultation
- 1 Super Lawyers®
-
24
Years
Experience
Chicago Catastrophic Personal Injury Lawyer
Updated: 04/09/2026
Areas of Practice
- Catastrophic Personal Injury
- Mass Tort/Class Actions
- Aviation Litigation
- Product Liability
- Wrongful Death
- Medical Malpractice
- Trucking Litigation
- Premises Liability
- Professional Negligence
- Civil Rights Violations
Attorney Information
Overview
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 lengthy 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."
Awards and Honors
Honors
- Illinois Super Lawyers, Previously a “Rising Star”, 2011 - Present
- Recognized by Leading Lawyers publication, “Top Ten Emerging Lawyer”, 2014 - Present
- Best Lawyers of America
- Lawdragon Publishing “Top 500 Leading Lawyers in America”, 2022 - Present
Other Sources of Feedback About Brian LaCien
Included on the 2026 Illinois Super Lawyers list
Past Lists
- 2025 Illinois Super Lawyers list
- 2024 Illinois Super Lawyers list
- 2023 Illinois Super Lawyers list
- 2022 Illinois Super Lawyers list
- 2021 Illinois Super Lawyers list
- 2020 Illinois Super Lawyers list
- 2019 Illinois Super Lawyers list
- 2018 Illinois Super Lawyers list
- 2017 Illinois Super Lawyers list
- 2016 Illinois Super Lawyers list
- 2015 Illinois Super Lawyers list
- 2014 Illinois Super Lawyers list
- 2013 Illinois Super Lawyers list
- 2012 Illinois Super Lawyers list
- 2011 Illinois Super Lawyers list
Education
-
Legal Education
-
DePaul University College of Law,
Chicago,
Illinois, 2002
J.D.
Honors: magna cum laude
Honors: Order of the Coif
Honors: Research Assistant, Professor Rodney Blackman
Law Journal: Journal of Art and Entertainment Law, Staff Writer
-
DePaul University College of Law,
Chicago,
Illinois, 2002
-
Non Legal Education
-
University of Iowa, 1999
B.A.
Major: Finance
-
University of Iowa, 1999
Current Employment Position(s)
-
Founding Partner
Past Positions
- Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives, Assistant Legal Counsel
- Honorable Richard D. Cudahy at the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, Judicial Extern
Classes and Seminars
-
Guest lecturer, Practical skills training and fundamental litigation techniques for new lawyers program, Greenhorn Legal LLC, 2013 - 2015
- Law 360 National Conference, Damages and Marijuana in personal injury lawsuits, 2022 - Present
Representative Cases
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T.G. v. Michael Ferrara, et al., No. 04 L 8454 (Cook County)
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G.M.C., Independant Administrator of the Estate of F.J.C. v. Falcon Transport Company, No. 05 C 663 (USDC IL NE)
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Estate of D.C. v. New Hope Association, et al., No. 03 L 4007 (Cook County)
Bar Admissions
- Illinois, 2002
- U.S. District Court Northern District of Illinois, 2004
- U.S. Court of Appeals 7th Circuit, 2007
Other Affiliations
- Illinois State Bar Association (Chair, Tort Law Section)
- Illinois Trial Lawyers Association
- American Trial Lawyers Association (now the American Association of Justice) Chair, Aviation Section
- Chicago Bar Association
Photo
Contact
Three First National Plaza
70 West Madison, Suite 2250
Chicago, IL 60602
Phone: 312-815-6455
Email: Send a message
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