Best Law Firms in Illinois

More than 900 legal professionals in 26 offices across the country collaborate seamlessly at Barnes & Thornburg to field the right team for you. As one of the 100 largest law firms in the United States, we put our collective experience across legal disciplines to work so you can conduct business in today’s changing marketplace. For more information, visit us online at www.btlaw.com.

Cavanagh Sorich Law Group

Since our founding in 1997, Cavanagh Sorich Law Group has recovered more than $900 million in verdicts and settlements across the country — including record-breaking triumphs in Illinois. Our Chicago attorneys are nationally recognized as skillful litigators with a high success rate. We pursue challenging cases and win trial victories using sophisticated strategies, cutting-edge technology and an arsenal of nationally renowned experts.

Our award-winning attorneys have expertise in every facet of personal injury law — from medical malpractice and wrongful death cases to catastrophic railroad crashes. Our trial-tested team takes on claims of all sizes and believes in treating each client with the same attention, care and respect. We are aggressive advocates for victims and families who have suffered at the hands of negligent people, products and companies. Our dedicated attorneys know that nothing can turn back time or bring back a loved one — but we believe personal injury litigation can provide justice, a sense of closure and financial compensation following traumatic events.

Clients turn to Cavanagh Sorich Law Group when winning is the only option. We devote the firm’s full resources to every case and use cutting-edge technology to prove fault, negligence and recklessness. Our attorneys retain the nation’s top experts in diverse fields — from neurology to accident reconstruction — to create powerful imagery that resonates with jurors well into deliberation.

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Nationally ranked at the highest levels of professional excellence, the attorneys of Chicago‑based Cooney & Conway have been providing exceptional legal services to injured people and their families for more than 50 years. In addition to its acclaimed asbestos litigation practice, the law firm also handles complex personal injury matters including, medical malpractice, products liability, premises liability, transportation accidents, construction accidents, and professional negligence. Fighting for those who have suffered catastrophic injuries or wrongful death, Cooney & Conway is known for aggressive, yet compassionate representation and for committed, responsive relationships with its clients. Understanding the devastation to clients brought by injury, illness, and death, the firm’s primary focus is ensuring that matters are resolved justly and expeditiously, so that future financial burdens can be relieved.

The attorneys of Cooney & Conway have mastered the complexities of mesothelioma and personal injury litigation, consistently and successfully helping thousands of injured clients and their families obtain fair compensation for injuries resulting from the negligence of others, including:

• $5.2 billion settlement agreement with the Owens Corning Asbestos Case
• $3.95 billion settlement agreement with USG Asbestos Personal Injury Trust
• $1.43 billion settlement agreement with the Combustion Engineering/ABB Asbestos Personal Injury Trust
• $1.2 billion settlement agreement with the Kaiser Aluminum Personal Injury Trust
• $35 million-dollar verdict against a major oil company in an asbestos death case
• $19.9 million-dollar verdict in a trucking accident death case
• $12.3 million verdict against an insulator who died of mesothelioma, whose case was tried to jury verdict in the Circuit Court of Cook County by Cooney and Conway attorneys John Cooney, William Fahey, and Jim Hopkinson. The verdict of compensatory damages of $12.3 million was reported as the largest single mesothelioma verdict nationwide ·
• $4.5 million settlement agreement in a wrongful death case resulting from drowning in a barge collision

The continued success of Cooney & Conway is a testament to its expertise, diligence, and dedication to its clients. This expertise and diligence has also earned Cooney & Conway the respect of judges, colleagues, and adversaries, alike. Serving the community with the highest standards of professionalism and ethics is what sets Cooney & Conway apart from other personal injury firms, and why it remains one of the most distinguished law firms in the nation.

At Dunn Harrington, we fight for your rights as an injured individual against powerful insurance companies, corporations and railroads. As trial attorneys with numerous favorable verdicts in court, we are prepared to aggressively advocate for you. From our primary location in Chicago, we practice statewide in Illinois and are also licensed to practice, with offices in Indiana, Michigan and Ohio.

At Hahn Loeser, our people form the core of our firm. We have assembled a team of highly skilled attorneys and staff across the United States. Our focus on collaborative efforts and creative business solutions sets us apart. We prioritize the needs of our clients and our team members alike, emphasizing a supportive environment. The diverse backgrounds of our attorneys represent Hahn Loeser's enduring commitment to diversity. This has spurred a broad practice range and has helped us foster strong relationships within various community segments over the years. We strive to understand your business and personal goals to help you achieve them according to your specific needs.

Hahn Loeser's client-centered approach is facilitated by our dedicated team of attorneys and staff who operate across different practice areas and office locations nationwide, working together to devise innovative solutions for client challenges.

With more than 140 attorneys, we have established a national presence, expanding to eight strategic locations across the country, including Cleveland and Columbus, Ohio; Naples, Fort Myers, Tampa, and Sarasota, Florida; San Diego, California; and Chicago, Illinois. Founded in 1920, Hahn Loeser has grown to become one of the 500 largest law firms in the United States as recognized by The National Law Journal. We are equipped to manage complex litigation and transactions while offering our clients highly personalized service.

Holifield & Janich PLLC is a leading law firm with 2 lawyers recognized by Best Lawyers across 3 practice areas. The firm's tenure with Best Lawyers began in 2021. Having lawyers recognized in Best Lawyers' purely peer review process emphasizes the lawyers credibility and reputation for their practice amongst their peers in their practice area and region. It displays professional validation of the legal talent that Holifield & Janich PLLC has on their team. The firm has lawyers recognized in practice areas including: Litigation - ERISA, Commercial Litigation and Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law.

Holifield & Janich PLLC is also ranked by Best Law Firms in 3 practice areas. The Best Law Firms rankings are founded on a time-tested and transparent research process that has remained consistent since Best Lawyers launched it in 2010. Holifield & Janich PLLC has 5 rankings in 3 practices. Echoing their Best Lawyers awards and team of top legal talent.

For more than 60 years, Katz, Friedman, Eisenstein, Johnson, Bareck & Bertuca has represented individuals across Illinois in their legal claims for compensation and benefits. Our dedicated Chicago personal injury attorneys advocate for those injured due to others’ negligence, whether at work, in their vehicle, on another’s property, or in different circumstances. Additionally, our law firm supports those pursuing workers' compensation benefits and applicants for Social Security Disability benefits.

Lane Brown LLC is a leading law firm with 3 lawyers recognized by Best Lawyers across 3 practice areas. The firm's tenure with Best Lawyers began in 2018. Having lawyers recognized in Best Lawyers' purely peer review process emphasizes the lawyers credibility and reputation for their practice amongst their peers in their practice area and region. It displays professional validation of the legal talent that Lane Brown LLC has on their team. The firm has lawyers recognized in practice areas including: Product Liability Litigation - Plaintiffs, Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs and Medical Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs.

Lane Brown LLC is also ranked by Best Law Firms in 2 practice areas. The Best Law Firms rankings are founded on a time-tested and transparent research process that has remained consistent since Best Lawyers launched it in 2010. Lane Brown LLC has 2 rankings in 2 practices. Echoing their Best Lawyers awards and team of top legal talent.

Law Office of Russell D. Knight is a leading law firm with Russell Knight recognized by Best Lawyers in 1 practice area. The firm's tenure with Best Lawyers began in 2024. Having a lawyer recognized in Best Lawyers' purely peer review process emphasizes the lawyers' credibility and reputation for their practice amongst their peers in their practice area and region. It displays professional validation of the legal talent that Law Office of Russell D. Knight has on their team. Russell Knight has been recognized in the following practice area: Family Law.

Law Office of Russell D. Knight is also ranked by Best Law Firms in 1 practice area. The Best Law Firms rankings are founded on a time-tested and transparent research process that has remained consistent since Best Lawyers launched it in 2010. Law Office of Russell D. Knight has 1 ranking in 1 practice. Echoing their Best Lawyers awards and team of top legal talent.

Michael T. Reagan practices civil appellate law from his LaSalle County offices in Ottawa, Illinois, located about 80 miles west of Chicago. His extensive practice, however, encompasses every appellate body in Illinois, including every district of the Illinois Appellate Court as well as the Illinois Supreme Court and the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

Reagan is among the most respected and experienced appellate advocates in Illinois, having been recognized as Best Lawyers’ 2022 Lawyer of the Year in appellate practice for the Chicago region. He has also been named by his Illinois peers as a Super Lawyer since 2005 and as a Leading Lawyer since its inception in 2003.

Many of his cases have established or refined legal principles involving a wide variety of clients affected by a broad range of legal issues in many areas of law.

Mike has written and presented many educational programs, most frequently on insurance coverage, appellate and contribution issues.

To discuss your appellate needs with him, please contact Michael T. Reagan.

Dedicated. Service.

These two words reflect the firm’s approach to legal representation and client relationships.

The attorneys at Lipe Lyons bring extensive experience across a broad range of practice areas, including antitrust and unfair competition, appellate litigation, class actions and mass torts, commercial litigation, construction, general liability, insurance coverage and bad faith, labor and employment, product liability, professional liability, rideshare and autonomous vehicles, and transportation.

Our approach to case handling is straightforward and disciplined. We promptly investigate and evaluate matters with attention to detail. We collaborate closely with our clients to identify practical strategies tailored to their goals and business needs. Whenever possible, we pursue timely and cost-conscious resolutions that are fair and reasonable. When resolution is not achievable, we are prepared to proceed through trial. Together, the firm’s attorneys have handled hundreds of trials in state and federal courts throughout the United States.

Lipe Lyons was formed when the five named partners, each with decades of legal experience, left their prior firm to continue representing long-standing clients in a more focused and client-centered environment. The firm is committed to working alongside its clients as trusted legal partners, with that commitment guiding every engagement.

McAndrews, Held & Malloy is a premier, full-service intellectual property and technology law firm. From world-class patent portfolio development, trademark, and design protection to its exceptional record of litigation success against highly regarded law firms, McAndrews excels at all things IP. That is why the firm is relied upon by industry-leading companies, as well as businesses and innovators of all sizes and in virtually every technical field.

McAndrews is also uniquely positioned and structured to serve clients efficiently and effectively, providing exceptional lawyers, insights, service, and value. Clients appreciate the firm’s collaborative, team-based approach, as well as the extraordinarily high levels of hands-on senior-attorney attention its model affords. In addition, McAndrews’ IP-only focus delivers a competitive advantage to its clients in solving their IP challenges.

mcandrews-ip.com

McDermott Will & Schulte is an international law firm serving businesses, institutions and individuals across a wide range of legal matters. With offices throughout the United States and Europe, including Chicago, New York, London, Paris, Frankfurt and Washington, D.C., the firm advises clients on complex transactions, regulatory concerns, litigation and industry-specific challenges. Since first earning attorney recognition in 1983, the firm has continued to build a broad legal practice shaped by changing markets and evolving client needs.

The firm is known for its work in corporate law, mergers and acquisitions, banking and finance, tax law, health care law, intellectual property and high-stakes litigation. Its attorneys also counsel clients in emerging areas such as artificial intelligence law, fintech, privacy and data security, biotechnology and life sciences. McDermott Will & Schulte represents clients ranging from growing companies to multinational organizations, helping them navigate business decisions, disputes and regulatory matters with practical legal guidance.

McDermott Will & Schulte has earned recognition across numerous practice areas in Best Law Firms rankings, including bankruptcy and restructuring, employment law, real estate law, securities regulation, patent law, antitrust law and international trade and finance law. The firm also has 357 lawyers recognized by Best Lawyers, reflecting peer-reviewed acknowledgment across a broad range of legal disciplines.

Clients turn to McDermott Will & Schulte for counsel that is strategic, business-minded and tailored to the industries they serve. Whether handling cross-border transactions, intellectual property disputes, health care compliance or complex commercial litigation, the firm focuses on delivering clear legal solutions that align with each client’s long-term objectives.

MEYER LAW is an award-winning, woman-owned law firm that specializes in helping companies from startups to large corporations with corporate, contracts, employment, intellectual property, fundraising, mergers + acquisitions and privacy matters. The team at Meyer Law has helped thousands of companies from startups that have been featured on Shark Tank to fast-growing companies on the Inc.500 to some of the largest companies in the world, and mentored thousands of companies at incubators and accelerators across the United States such as 1871, WeWork Labs and Techstars. Meyer Law has received several awards, including most recently being recognized for the fourth year in a row by LawFirm 500 as one of the fastest growing law firms in the United States! Learn more at www.MeetMeyerLaw.com and follow Meyer Law’s story on Instagram @loveyourlawyer.

Neal Gerber Eisenberg was founded in 1986 by a group of lawyers of widely diverse backgrounds and personalities. Entrepreneurial and independent-minded as individuals, these lawyers were committed to a firm culture and style of practice that encouraged collaboration among colleagues at all levels. Each of the founders brought to the enterprise years of experience in and deep substantive knowledge of specialized areas of law, yet each favored practicing in ways that were broadly interdisciplinary, recognizing the fresh perspectives that approach could bring to every client matter.

The firm has grown and thrived in large part because so many of our clients have been strongly entrepreneurial and individualistic and have seen their own values and outlooks mirrored in us. Our clients appreciate that we do not view their businesses generically, but understand the uniqueness of who they are, what they do, and the legal and practical challenges they may face; that we recognize that a particular strategy or solution for one client may not be suitable for another, even if they operate in similar spheres; and, above all, that we listen. Our goal is to know the client and the client’s business as thoroughly as possible and bring creative insight to every matter. Knowing what makes each client special is what makes us special.

Neal Gerber Eisenberg is one of the largest single-office law firms in the nation. The scope of our practice is both international and domestic and covers a full range of legal services, including transactions of all kinds, litigation, and intellectual property. Our clients include Fortune 100 companies as well as small and mid-sized businesses; public companies as well as private equity firms; established institutions and start-ups. Personalized service to entrepreneurs and high net worth individuals and families is a keystone of our practice. We also are dedicated to improving the life of our community by working with public service organizations and by making legal services available, pro bono, to those who might otherwise lack access to justice.

For 40 years, we’ve succeeded—and helped our clients succeed—by deploying the best legal talent as efficiently as possible, by thinking collaboratively and “outside the box,” and by partnering with our clients to achieve the results they desire. At a time when many law firms see themselves as institutions, Neal Gerber Eisenberg continues to hold that rendering legal services is a person-to-person endeavor.

While corporate, nonprofit, association and individual clients hire O’Hagan Meyer attorneys because of our broad and deep expertise, stellar reputation and outstanding track record in the courtroom, they rehire us primarily because of one key attribute: we tell it like it is. When a case or matter comes to us, we examine it thoroughly but quickly and if we and our client believe we should litigate, we’ll roll up our sleeves and fight to win. But if we determine that it’s in the client’s best interest to settle, we’ll say so, explain why and get rid of the problem as fast and efficiently as possible. We’re straight shooters, straight away.

We have offices staffed by nationally honored and well-regarded attorneys in all the major regions in the United States. With such geographic reach and depth, we use our experience and expertise to solve problems wherever they arise. Yet, because we operate in a low-overhead environment, we’re able to deliver top-shelf counsel at fair rates. We’re not profit-driven, we’re service-driven.

For more than four decades, Peckar & Abramson has focused its practice on construction law, serving clients across the industry with practical, business‑minded legal counsel. The firm is committed to efficiency, value, and responsive client service.

With 100 attorneys in 10 offices throughout the United States and affiliations worldwide, P&A supports clients on projects of all sizes and levels of complexity. The firm combines a strong national platform with a local approach, allowing attorneys to remain closely connected to the communities and markets they serve.

P&A represents clients in litigation and arbitration, while also working proactively to help avoid disputes, resolve issues early, and identify cost‑effective paths forward. The firm understands the operational, financial, and regulatory challenges inherent in construction projects. By working collaboratively—both internally and with clients—P&A develops strategies aligned with specific business objectives.

P&A’s construction-focused services extend beyond dispute resolution. The firm offers integrated legal support in areas that frequently intersect with construction and infrastructure projects, including construction transactions, corporate compliance and integrity, corporate law, cybersecurity, labor and employment, environmental law, government contracts, internal investigations, real estate, surety, and white‑collar criminal defense.

P&A is recognized by industry publications and organizations in the United States and internationally. Most important to the firm is the trust and long‑term relationships it builds with clients. P&A remains focused on delivering thoughtful, efficient, and effective legal services while keeping client needs at the forefront.

We offer experience, practical insight, and a strong commitment to client service in:

• Construction & Infrastructure
• Contracts, Project Documentation and Risk Management
• Commercial Litigation and Dispute Resolution
• Construction Dispute Resolution
• Corporate Compliance and Integrity Counsel
• Corporate Law
• Employment Law and Practices
• Environmental Law
• Government Contracts
• Internal Investigations
• International Construction and Infrastructure
• Labor Law
• Power & Industrial Facilities/EPC
• ProjectNotice® for Construction Projects
• Public‑Private Partnerships
• Real Estate Law
• Securities Regulatory Litigation & Compliance
• Surety
• White Collar Criminal Defense

Peck Ritchey, LLC is a boutique law firm focusing on a comprehensive range of legal areas, including probate, estate planning, guardianship, special needs planning, and elder law. We have significant experience in the litigation of contested wills, trusts, and estates involving disabled individuals. Peck Ritchey provides representation to all parties involved in decedent's estate litigation, trust litigation, contested guardianship as well as other areas of probate litigation.

At Peck Ritchey, LLC, we are committed to safeguarding the interests of you and your loved ones, whether in court or beyond. Our clients engage directly with a committed legal team that leverages its substantial experience and innovative approaches to deliver tailored solutions for your specific personal needs. We ensure that you are well-informed regarding your options and the steps necessary to achieve your goals.

We embrace our role in serving the legal profession and the broader community.
As a recognized leader in the legal community, our firm is actively involved with numerous professional and civic organizations, contributing positively to the community's development. Our attorneys are frequently invited to speak at continuing education programs and are often consulted by media outlets for insights on issues affecting older adults and families.

The attorneys at Peck Ritchey, LLC have often played an active role in shaping new legislation through involvement with the Illinois General Assembly. Each attorney at Peck Ritchey, LLC maintains membership with the Chicago Bar Association, the Illinois Bar Association, and other legal groups. These memberships contribute to staying current with legal developments and enhance the quality of our services while providing innovative and caring solutions to today's legal challenges.

Our practice handles cases in Cook County, Lake County, Kane County, and DuPage County.

Power Rogers LLP is a Chicago-based law firm that represents individuals and families in complex civil litigation. From its office in Illinois, the firm handles matters involving aviation law, civil rights, medical malpractice, personal injury, product liability, and mass tort and class action litigation for plaintiffs. The attorneys at Power Rogers LLP work on cases that often involve serious injuries, wrongful death, and significant questions of accountability.

After an accident caused by another party’s negligence or wrongful conduct, it can be difficult to know where to turn for help. Many people are suddenly faced with the loss of a loved one, serious injuries, mounting medical bills, property damage, and emotional strain. During these challenging times, having a dedicated attorney can make a meaningful difference. The lawyers at Power Rogers LLP approach each case with care, persistence, and the resources needed to pursue complex claims. They are committed to helping individuals and families seek fair compensation and to guiding clients through the legal process with clear communication and respect at every stage.

In 1994, Arnold G. Rubin founded the law firm of Arnold G. Rubin, Ltd. Before founding Arnold G. Rubin, Ltd, Mr. Rubin was a partner in a law firm that concentrated its practice in the area of workers' compensation and personal injury litigation.

The law firm has expanded since it was first founded in 1994. In November 2010, the firm added a new associate, Ms. Catherine Krenz Doan. In 2012, Ms. Doan became a principal in the firm. Early 2015, the firm name was changed to Rubin Law Group, Ltd.

Mr. Rubin and Ms. Doan are active members of the Illinois Bar. They have participated in various seminars for the Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education, Illinois State Bar Association, Chicago Bar Association and Illinois Trial Lawyers Association. These specific lectures and seminars are set forth in the firm biographical materials.

The law firm of Rubin Law Group, Ltd. concentrates its practice in the area of workers' compensation law. The attorneys at the firm have represented injured employees in all stages of proceedings in a workers' compensation claim from arbitration to the Illinois Supreme Court.

The goal of the firm is to provide legal services in the context of workers' compensation claims and related matters. Specifically, the attorneys analyze the facts of each accident to determine whether or not there may be a basis for pursuing a third-party or personal injury claim. If it is determined that there would be a basis for pursuing an additional claim, then the client is referred to another law firm for the purpose of handling that specific claim. The case may also be analyzed to determine whether or not there may be a basis for pursuing a claim for social security disability benefits. The attorneys take into consideration the specific needs and desires of each individual client. Personal and individual attention to each case is a firm priority.

About Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard, P.C.

Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard was established by attorney Patrick A. Salvi in Waukegan, Illinois in 1982. With offices in Chicago and Lake County, the law firm has 21 lawyers and is supported by more than 35 staff members. While the firm is headquartered in Illinois, we successfully litigate cases throughout the country. Many of the firm's lawyers are licensed outside of Illinois and/or enjoy strong local counsel relationships with out-of-state lawyers.

Salvi, Schostok & Prichard focuses on medical malpractice, personal injury and wrongful death cases - including car and truck accidents, airplane and train accidents, construction injuries, defective products, birth injuries, brain injuries, unsafe properties and animal attacks. From years of experience handling medical malpractice cases, the firm has developed relationships with many of the nation's leading medical and scientific experts.

Since our firm was founded, we have secured more than $2.5 billion in verdicts and settlements, including more than 350 cases resulting in awards of $1 million or more, including a record-breaking $363 million jury verdict on behalf of a woman who developed breast cancer due to toxic emissions from medical sterilization plant, Sterigenics. The verdict is the highest verdict ever awarded to an individual plaintiff in Illinois history. Over the past decade, our firm has been routinely listed as one of the top law firms in the state with the highest reported settlement totals in the Jury Verdict Reporter / Chicago Daily Law Bulletin's Settlement Survey.

Managing equity partner Patrick A. Salvi has been recognized for excellence in the legal profession and has received the highest rating from Martindale Hubbell American Law Directory. He has also been ranked in the "Top 5 percent of all Lawyers in Illinois," according to a survey of legal peers by the Law Bulletin Publishing Company's Leading Lawyer Network. Additionally, Mr. Salvi has been named one of the "Best Lawyers in America" by Woodward/White Inc.

Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard is a strong supporter of local and national not-for-profit agencies. Our lawyers and staff members are encouraged to assist the less fortunate in their communities, and many donate their time as volunteers to these and other charitable causes.

Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard is proud to offer clients the highest level of legal representation. For a free and confidential consultation, please call us today at 1-800-Salvi-Law or contact us via our online form.

Smith LaCien LLP – Trial Lawyers

Dedicated to Helping Victims of Medical Malpractice Obtain Justice

People who have been seriously injured or whohave lost a loved one due to someone else’s negligence may be entitled to compensation for their hospital and medical expenses, physical rehabilitation, and pain and suffering. But successin a court of law usually requires the savvy skills and expertise of an experienced personal injury lawyer.

The Chicago trial lawyers at Smith LaCien LLP regularly handle high-stakes cases for plaintiffs and their families who were harmed or even killed due to medical negligence. Without legal representation, however, they would not otherwise have the means to pursue a claim. The firm gets justice for its clients by holding the negligent parties accountable, and they only get paid if they win the case.

Exceptional Results for Plaintiffs

Every day, Smith LaCien lawyers face off against powerful insurance companies, large corporations, medical institutions, and other entities that caused serious harm due to their careless actions. The firm has a long track record of achieving exceptional results for its clients, with more than $3 billion in verdicts and settlements, and over 150 cases that have resulted in outcomes exceeding $1 million.

While the numbers are impressive, that alone does not capture what the results mean for their clients. Fair and adequate compensation for their injuries and losses provide an important path forward for the victims to start rebuilding their lives.

Founded by experienced, award-winning lawyers Todd A. Smith and Brian LaCien, Smith LaCien has experience in every type of catastrophic injury case, from truck, pedestrian, bicycle, and car accidents to airport and airplane crash injuries and fatalities, as well as medical malpractice, product liability and wrongful death cases. They have also handled mass tort and class action lawsuits, including litigation over faulty Takata airbags, the crash of the 737 Max passenger aircraft in Ethiopia, and hair relaxer products that caused cancer.

Proving Liability

Proving liability in court requires the plaintiff to prove with a preponderance of evidence that the defendant was at fault due to an act of negligence or recklessness. Smith LaCien lawyers thoroughly investigate the circumstances of the incident to find evidence demonstrating that the at-fault party owed the plaintiff and others a duty of care to take reasonable measures and prevent harm. The firm has access to top resources and uses a litigation strategy that incorporates thorough research, esteemed expert witnesses, accident reconstruction techniques and sophisticated computer modeling, when warranted.

Medical malpractice is where they excel. Smith LaCien LLP is considered a leader in the field of medical malpractice case law. In one recent case, they obtained a $20 million settlement for a college student who suffered brain damage while undergoing heart surgery. In another instance, a 74-year-old client suffered an adverse reaction to a pharmaceutical product, resulting in blindness. He was awarded a $10 million settlement. Results like these happen time after time.

Being Held Accountable

“When placing your trust in the care of doctors or a hospital, you expect to be taken care of,” says Smith, an award-winning attorney and bar leader, who has been practicing law for over 40 years. “When professionals you thought you could trust behave negligently or carelessly, it can have a major impact on all areas of life, leaving them suffocating under medical bills, hours of rehabilitation and physical therapy, and the inability to work.”

“Regardless of the circumstances leading up to the malpractice incident, health care providers and facilities must be held accountable for mistakes that cause great harm to patients in their care,” adds LaCien. “Surgical errors like wrong-patient and wrong-side surgeries and hospital staffing mistakes and omissions happen more often than you’d expect.”

Awards and Honors

For its success, Smith LaCien has been recognized with many awards and honors. Jury Verdict Reporter’s annual “Settlements Report” recognized the firm as one of Illinois’ Top 10 plaintiff’s injury law firms in 2024. Its largest settlement last year was $19 million, awarded to the family of a child who died from a birth injury.

Most recently, the firm was recognized by Best Lawyers in America® as a “2025 Best Law Firm,” earning a Tier 1 ranking for its work in Medical Malpractice Law – Plaintiffs. They were also ranked high in mass/class action, medical malpractice and product liability. Four of its lawyers are on the list of Best Lawyers of America© and two are on the Best Lawyers of America “Ones to Watch” list.

For a free consultation or to learn more about Smith LaCien LLP, visit https://www.smithlacien.com or call (312) 509-8900.

At Taft, we work together across offices and practice areas to help clients address legal and business challenges efficiently and strategically. Our attorneys focus on practical solutions designed to support clients’ goals, whether they are managing day-to-day operations, navigating complex transactions, or resolving disputes.

With more than 1,250 attorneys, Taft serves clients from offices in Chicago, Illinois; Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton, and Delaware, Ohio; Aspen, Denver, and Colorado Springs, Colorado; Detroit and Southfield, Michigan; Minneapolis, Minnesota; Indianapolis, Indiana; Covington, Kentucky; Phoenix, Arizona; Stuart and West Palm Beach, Florida; Atlanta, Georgia; and Washington, D.C.

Taft represents individuals, privately held businesses, public companies, nonprofits, and institutions across established and emerging industries throughout the United States and internationally.

The firm advises clients in a broad range of practice areas, including:

• Business
• Bankruptcy and Restructuring
• Employment and Labor Relations
• Energy
• Environmental
• Health Care
• Intellectual Property
• Lending and Finance
• Litigation
• Private Client
• Real Estate
• Tax

Since 1885, Taft has remained focused on delivering responsive legal counsel and client service tailored to the needs of businesses, organizations, and individuals.

Affiliated Businesses

Taft attorneys regularly collaborate with affiliated businesses to provide clients with additional consulting and advisory services in a variety of industries and operational areas. These affiliated businesses include:

• Ginovus
• Taft Advisors LLC
• Taft Business Consulting
• Taft Infrastructure Advisors

Through these organizations, clients have access to consulting services related to planning, forecasting, government relations, infrastructure, and public policy matters.

Awards and Honors

Taft and its attorneys have received recognition from legal industry publications and ranking organizations, including:

Main Areas of Practice:

Business: Taft represents public, private, and nonprofit clients in industries including banking, construction, finance, health care, insurance, manufacturing, private equity, real estate, retail, transportation, and utilities. The firm advises clients ranging from emerging businesses to Fortune 500 companies on local, national, and cross-border matters.

Bankruptcy and Restructuring: The firm represents debtors, lenders, creditors’ committees, trustees, suppliers, developers, landlords, buyers, sellers, and other parties in restructuring matters, insolvency proceedings, transactions, and related litigation across multiple industries.

Employment and Labor Relations: Taft advises employers on labor and employment matters, including workplace policies, litigation, labor relations, employee benefits and ERISA compliance, workplace safety, immigration matters, and workers’ compensation issues.

Energy: The firm represents energy providers, utilities, developers, independent power producers, transmission companies, and other participants in the energy sector on regulatory, transactional, and operational matters.

Environmental: Taft handles environmental litigation, regulatory compliance, enforcement matters, environmental due diligence, toxic tort claims, Superfund matters, Brownfields redevelopment, and administrative proceedings before state and federal agencies.

Health Care: The firm advises hospitals, physicians, health systems, research institutions, and medical device, biotechnology, and pharmaceutical companies on business, regulatory, reimbursement, litigation, employment, and compliance matters.

Intellectual Property: Taft counsels clients on patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets, licensing, and intellectual property litigation, including matters involving pharmaceuticals, life sciences, software, and internet-related technologies.

Lending and Finance: The firm represents lenders and borrowers in a wide range of financing transactions, including asset-based lending, acquisition finance, mezzanine financing, real estate finance, equipment leasing, regulatory compliance, and consumer financial services matters.

Litigation: Taft represents clients in state and federal courts, arbitration proceedings, and regulatory matters involving commercial disputes, antitrust, bankruptcy, construction, environmental claims, intellectual property, securities, product liability, white collar defense, and other complex litigation matters.

Private Client: The firm advises individuals, families, and business owners on estate planning, wealth transfer strategies, succession planning, trusts and estates, charitable planning, and tax-related matters.

Real Estate: Taft represents clients in matters involving acquisitions, dispositions, financing, leasing, development, land use, construction, property management, and real estate litigation.

Tax: The firm advises corporations, financial institutions, nonprofit organizations, joint ventures, and individuals on tax planning, employee benefits, executive compensation, mergers and acquisitions, international tax matters, state and local taxation, and tax controversy matters.