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Todd Smith has been a shining example for the legal community and countless at - torneys for decades. On a personal level, I have known Todd for over 25 years, and he has always been there when there was time of need. Whether it was discussing a complex legal question or trying to under - stand the political landscape, Todd’s mind and thought process was aways two steps ahead of everyone else – and that is exact - ly why he is considered a go-to-attorney. Todd has excelled in so many leadership positions, whether legal or organizational, that there are too many to count. How - ever, his most notable accomplishment includes leading the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association and the American Association for justice. I watched him lead with fear - less skill and courage through some of the most challenging times trial lawyers faced. Not only is he a man for many seasons, but he truly has become a people’s law - yer, and we are all enriched with his gift of advocacy.”
Todd and his wife, Marcia, with former President Joe Biden (VP at the time) and their children, Grace and Ben, at a Trial Lawyers event at the Union League Club (2019).
“As a law firm gets larger, it gets more complicated to make your own calls,” Smith said. “As a public defender, I was right off the bat making my own calls during the early days of my career. I was first-chairing my second jury trial. During all my jury trials after that, I was pretty much the guy leading the trial. I wanted to get back to that feeling.” Smith has earned several big verdicts and settlements during his long career. This includes a case involving a 13-year-old girl who died after a CTA bus ran over her. The jury awarded $6 million in this wrongful death case. It was a re- cord high for this kind of case at the time.
Antonio M. Romanucci, Founding Partner, Romanucci & Blandin LLC
Another case involved a 10-year-old girl who during a swim meet suffered a car- diac arrest and sank to the bottom of the pool. A helicopter took the girl to the University of Chicago hospitals. There, doctors diagnosed her with arrhythmia and gave her medication. The problem? Medical professionals could not determine the cause. The girl’s mother asked about an implantable defibrillator, which she thought might save “
I have had the pleasure of knowing Todd Smith as a colleague and friend for over 40 years. Aside from being one of the great trial lawyers, he has always been a strong advocate for preservation of right to trial by jury and a fierce protector of victims of negligence. He has tirelessly given back to the profes - sion as a leader of Bar Associations on the national and state level. Frankly, I don’t know how he does it! Todd is most deserv - ing of this Lifetime Achievement Award!”
Patrick A. Salvi, Managing Equity Partner & Chairman, Salvi Schostok & Pritchard PC
Todd Smith was honored at the Illinois Bar Foundation Gala, pictured with his wife Marcia, son Ben Smith, and daughter Grace Smith, during the presentation of his 2015 award.
JURY VERDICT REPORTER • 2025 ANNUAL TRIAL LAWYER EXCELLENCE AWARDS 61
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