Brian LaCien is a trial lawyer and founding partner in 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 premise liability.

LaCien and his partner 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 began his career as an assistant legal counsel to the Illinois House of Representatives. He currently serves as chair of the Tort Law Section of the Illinois State Bar Association and chair of the Aviation Section of the American Association for Justice.

LaCien received a J.D., magna cum laude, from DePaul University College of Law, where he was elected to the Order of the Coif. LaCien was recognized by Illinois SuperLawyers publication as a "Rising Star" and then as a "SuperLawyer" every year since 2011. Recognized by Leading Lawyers publication 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 other things, like their recovery."

Education
DePaul University College of Law, Chicago, Illinois
J.D. - 2002
Honors: magna cum laude
Honors: Order of the Coif
Honors: Research Assistant, Professor Rodney Blackman
University of Iowa
B.A. - 1999
Major: Finance

Professional Associations
Chicago Bar Association
Illinois Bar Association
Illinois Trial Lawyers Association
American Trial Lawyers Association
Tort Law Section of the Illinois State Bar Association, Chair
Aviation Section of the American Association for Justice, Chair

Current Employment Position
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

Honors
Rising Star, Illinois Super Lawyers
Rising Star, Illinois Super Lawyers
Recognized by Leading Lawyers publication annually since 2014
Top Ten Emerging Lawyer

Bar Admission
Illinois, 2002
U.S. District Court Northern District of Illinois, 2004
U.S. Court of Appeals 7th Circuit, 2007

Representative Cases
T.G. v. Michael Ferrara, et al., No. 04 L 8454 (Cook County)
G.M.C., Independant Administrator of the Estate of F.J.C. v. Falcon Transport Company, No. 05 C 663 (USDC IL NE)
Estate of D.C. v. New Hope Association, et al., No. 03 L 4007 (Cook County)

Classes & Seminars
Guest lecturer, Practical skills training and fundamental litigation techniques for new lawyers program, Greenhorn Legal LLC, 2013 to 2015