Zane D. Smith - a Chicago, Illinois (IL) Medical Malpractice Lawyer

Chicago Medical Malpractice Lawyer

Updated: 03/25/2026

Areas of Practice

Medical Malpractice
Personal Injury
Professional Negligence
Complex Litigation
Civil Rights

Attorney Information

Overview

Zane D. Smith is the founding partner and managing attorney of Zane D. Smith & Associates, Ltd., and has practiced law in Illinois for more than three decades. He is widely recognized as a formidable trial lawyer and a relentless advocate for individuals and families facing powerful institutional defendants. Mr. Smith routinely litigates against hospitals, insurance companies, major corporations, and government entities, and he approaches every case without regard to the size or resources of the opposition.

A graduate of the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law, Mr. Smith has devoted his career to handling a broad spectrum of complex, high-stakes legal disputes. He has tried countless civil jury cases to verdict in both state and federal courts and has secured more than half a billion dollars in verdicts and settlements on behalf of his clients. His practice includes medical malpractice, catastrophic personal injury, civil rights violations, and complex commercial litigation.

Mr. Smith is known for his powerful advocacy and unwavering commitment to his clients. He brings intensity, preparation, and clarity to the courtroom, and is widely respected for his ability to communicate complex medical, financial, and technical issues in a manner that resonates with judges and juries alike. His advocacy is grounded in accountability and focused on ensuring that the facts are fully brought to light and that those responsible are required to answer for their conduct.

In addition to his litigation practice, Mr. Smith has served as corporate general counsel, contributed to legislative and bar committee work involving Illinois civil procedure, and held elected public office. This breadth of experience gives him a deep understanding of how large institutions operate, make decisions, and attempt to avoid responsibility. It is a privilege for his firm to represent clients whose lives have been profoundly affected by events that never should have happened. With the right advocate, the courtroom has a way of equalizing power. When Zane is in your corner, bullies do not win.

Awards and Honors

Super Lawyers® Selectees

Zane D. Smith included in a Super Lawyers® list

Honors

Board Member for the Winnetka Youth Organization, 2019 - 2022
Candidate for US Congress, Primary Race 10th District Illinois, 2006 - Present
Elected twice to the Winnetka Park District Board of Commissioners, 2001 - 2005
Distinguished Service Award, Chicago Volunteer Services Foundation, 1998 - Present

Other Sources of Feedback About Zane D. Smith

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

Education

Legal Education
- University of Illinois Chicago School of Law, Chicago, Illinois, 1983
  J.D.
  Honors: Elected Class Representative
  Honors: Phi Alpha Delta
Non Legal Education
- Southern Illinois University , Carbondale , Illinois, 1978
  B.A.
  Honors: Dean's List
  Honors: Elected Student Council
  Major: Psychology
  Minor: Pre-Law

Current Employment Position(s)

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Founding Partner
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Past Positions

Synergism, Inc., Vice President and General Counsel, 1985 - 1989
French, Kezelis & Komaniarek, P.C., Associate Attorney, 1983 - 1985

Languages

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English (Primary)
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Classes and Seminars

Illinois Code of Civil Procedure on Rule 213(f)(3), CBA, Tort Litigation Committee, 2000
Deposition Strategies, CBA, Tort Litigation Committee, 2001
Speaker on "Deposition Strategies" at CBA, Tort Litigation Committee, 2000: I had the honor of sharing insights and strategies on effective deposition techniques with fellow legal professionals at the Chicago Bar Association.
Chicago Bar Association (CBA), Tort Litigation Committee, 2000: As an active member of the Tort Litigation Committee, I had the privilege of contributing to the drafting of Illinois Code of Civil Procedure Rules 213(f)(1), 213(f)(2), and 213(f)(3). These rules govern the disclosure

Pro Bono Activities

Chicago Volunteer Legal Services Volunteer Attorney, 2000 - Present
Boy Scouts of America/Cub Scouts of America, 1997 - 2011

Representative Cases

Seals v. Rush Univ. Med. Ctr., Walgreen Company and Melamed, 2021 IL App (1st) 200558, App Ct; Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, Vol. 167, 118, 2021 Lyons Lumber v. 7722 N. Ashland, LLC, 2016 IL App (3d) 140487, App Ct
$27,000,000.00 settlement in a police chase case.
$22,000,000.00 settlement in a police chase case.
$10,153,284.00 verdict in a police chase case.
$1,450,000.00 settlement in a wrongful death case involving a truck.
$1,250,000.00 settlement negotiated at trial in a wrongful death case involving medical malpractice pertaining to failure to diagnose lung cancer.
$1,215,000.00 settlement in a medical/pharmaceutical negligence involving improper prescription and distribution of medication to an infant.
$1,000,000.00 awarded at trial in a wrongful death/medical malpractice case involving improper discharge of a patient from a hospital.
$875,000.00 settlement in a case involving a suicide in a jail facility.
$835,000.00 settlement negotiated during trial in a medical malpractice case involving plastic surgery.
$625,000.00 settlement in a medical malpractice case involving administration of contraindicated medication to a patient.
$350,000.00 premises liability settlement in a case involving a shooting at an establishment.
$350,000.00 settlement in a medical malpractice lawsuit involving infection that resulted in settlement.
$200,000.00 settlement in a dental malpractice case involving failure to obtain informed consent prior to extraction resulting in nerve damage.
$175,000.00 settlement in a slip and fall at a church case.
$160,000.00 settlement in a dental malpractice case involving failure to inform the patient of the risk of permanent nerve damage.
$135,000.00 settlement in slip and fall at a hardware store case.

Bar Admissions

Illinois, 1983
U.S. District Court Northern District of Illinois, 1983
U.S. District Court Northern District of Illinois Trial Bar, 1983
U.S. Court of Appeals 7th Circuit, 1983
U.S. District Court Central District of Illinois, 2008
U.S. District Court Northern District of Indiana, 2015

Other Affiliations

Chicago Bar Association (Member)
Illinois Trial Lawyers Association (Member)
Chicago Bar Association, 2001 - 2002 (Chairman Tort Litigation Committee)
Chicago Bar Association, 2000 - 2001 (Vice Chair Tort Litigation Committee)
Chicago Bar Association, 1999 - 2000 (Legislative Liaison Tort Committee)

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Contact

Chicago, IL

100 N. LaSalle St.
Ste 910
Chicago, IL 60602

Directions

Phone: 312-245-0031

Email: Send a message

Website: https://www.zanesmith.com

Free Consultations

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Zane D. Smith - Chicago, IL