Todd accepting his Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2025 JVR TLE Awards.
A case that Smith tried during his third year of law school, working alongside an- other lawyer, also cemented his passion for law. The legal team on which Smith served claimed an insanity defense in this murder case, with Smith arguing the mo- tion to suppress a confession. This all happened at the famed Chicago criminal courthouse at 26th Street and California Avenue. “That is an intimidating place for anyone,” Smith said. “But even though I was a law student still, I wasn’t intimidated. It was a fascinating experience. I knew during that trial that I could and wanted to succeed in law.” Smith further realized that he’d made the right career choice during his first years out of law school. During these days as a public defender, he represented people who couldn’t afford a lawyer, generally trying a new case every month. It was a hectic but exciting time. “These were darn serious cases,” Smith said. “They involved armed robbery, murder and rape.” “ I have known Todd Smith for well over
Todd Smith is certainly one of those few.
His accomplishments in the profession certainly indicate how well he is liked and respected by lawyers throughout the legal community. His involvement and accomplishments in the Illinois and American Trial Lawyers Associations, the Illinois State Bar Association, etc., speak for themselves. It is appropriate and fitting that Todd Smith adds Lifetime Achievement Award at the prestigious Chicago Daily Law Bul - letin Trial Lawyer Excellence event. I truly value my relationship with this giant in our profession – like I said, we’re good friends.”
40 years. We grew up in the Illinois bar together. I consider us good friends. But knowing Todd as well as I do, I can say with some assuredness that all of Todd’s friends are good friends. We met not long after he left the Pub - lic Defender’s office to begin honing his trial skills with top litigation firms. I’ve never seen Todd first-hand in the courtroom, but following his litigation ac - complishments over these four decades, it’s easy to recognize Todd Smith is as good as there is. Illinois has some of the best litigators in the country. There are many top litigation firms and lawyers in Cook and the collar counties, but all of us familiar with this area know that there is a handful of truly elite litigators, we all know who they are – and
Maybe it’s his inherent charisma, maybe it’s his preparation for trial, or the kind of cases he gets, but whatever the rea- son Todd is certainly recognized for be- ing one of the top trial lawyers – and the dollar amounts over the years in settlements and verdicts, accolades and awards, surely support my opinion. What I know most about “Brother Todd” is he’s a great guy – as good as I’ve met in my professional life. Well-liked by ev - erybody, respected. I know Todd to be a loving husband and partner with Marcia, and I’ve watched his successful children, Ben and Grace, be raised the right way and successful in their own right, for which Todd and his wife should be the most proud.
Leonard F. Amari, Partner, Amari & Locallo
JURY VERDICT REPORTER • 2025 ANNUAL TRIAL LAWYER EXCELLENCE AWARDS 59
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