Professional Accomplishments

Larry Smith practiced law as a trial lawyer in Chicago, Illinois, and throughout the Midwest for many years. In that capacity, he used structured settlements in three situations: as a defense lawyer, as a plaintiff lawyer, and to structure fees.

Larry has had over 125 successful jury verdicts in personal injury litigation, including wrongful death, product liability, transportation and aviation claims. He has also negotiated settlements for thousands of cases and brings that experience to the negotiating table. Larry has seen plaintiffs who wisely structured part of their settlements as well as those who regretted their decision not to use an annuity to provide a guaranteed tax-free income stream.

He is a Past President of the Illinois Association of Defense Trial Counsel and received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Cook County Jury Verdict Reporter/Law Bulletin Media in 2015.