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Carla Colaianni, Personal Injury Attorney in Chicago, Illinois

Smith LaCien LLP

Chicago, IL

Trusted personal injury attorney serving Chicago.

Practices in

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Quick answer

Carla Colaianni is an attorney based in Chicago, ILLINOIS. The practice focuses on Personal Injury. Currently practicing at Smith LaCien LLP.

Based in
Chicago, ILLINOIS
Experience
attorney
Known for
Personal Injury
  • Handles Personal Injury matters from Chicago, ILLINOIS.
  • Recognized with Best Lawyers in America — Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs (2026).

About Carla Colaianni: Carla Colaianni is an attorney based in Chicago, ILLINOIS. The practice focuses on Personal Injury. Currently practicing at Smith LaCien LLP.

Areas of practice

Legal matters Carla takes on

Carla concentrates on personal injury. Each area below outlines the kind of case Carla handles, typical outcomes to expect, and how the intake process starts.

Personal Injury cases in Chicago, Illinois

Carla takes personal injury matters in Chicago, Illinois. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Carla agrees to represent you.

Biography

Meet Carla Colaianni — personal injury lawyer in Chicago

Carla Colaianni is an attorney based in Chicago, ILLINOIS. The practice focuses on Personal Injury. Currently practicing at Smith LaCien LLP.

Carla Colaianni is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs.

Carla, who practices law in Chicago, Illinois, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Carla is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

How Carla handles personal injury matters

Carla Colaianni is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs. Carla, who practices law in Chicago, Illinois, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Carla is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

The kind of cases Carla takes

Carla reviews new inquiries case-by-case for personal injury matters in Chicago and the surrounding Illinois area.

Credentials

Education, bar admissions, and languages

  • DePaul University

    J.D. · 2007

Carla studied at J.D. in DePaul University.

Law school and academic background

Carla completed J.D. in DePaul University. Formal legal training is one signal of substantive knowledge — the day-to-day practice Carla runs in Illinois is where that training gets applied to real client questions.

Recognition

Recognition and thought leadership

Carla has received 3 formal recognitions from bar associations, industry bodies, and peer-review services.

  • Best Lawyers in America — Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs

    2026

  • Best Lawyers in America — Additional Areas of Practice:

    2026

  • Best Lawyers in America — Medical Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs

    2026

Legal awards and honors

Best Lawyers in America — Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs (2026). Best Lawyers in America — Additional Areas of Practice: (2026). Best Lawyers in America — Medical Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs (2026).

Locations

Carla Colaianni's office in Chicago

Carla's primary office is at 70 West Madison Street, Chicago, Illinois, 60602. In-person meetings are by appointment; a phone intake usually comes first.

Main office

Smith LaCien LLP

70 West Madison Street

Chicago, Illinois 60602

Open in Google Maps

Client feedback

Client reviews of Carla Colaianni

Carla has not yet collected verified client reviews on LawyersListed. Reviews here are all from confirmed clients; anonymous ratings are moderated out.

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Hiring guide

How to hire Carla Colaianni — what to expect in your first consultation

Working with a new personal injury attorney should feel structured. Here's how the first two conversations with Carla usually go, from the moment you request a consult to the day representation begins.

Consultation formats and pricing

Carla charges for the initial consult. That fee is credited toward representation if you retain Carla's office.

What to bring to your first meeting

Bring any documents you already have — police reports, medical records, filed pleadings, correspondence from an insurer, a copy of the contract at issue. If you're not sure, err on the side of bringing everything; Carla will tell you what matters and what doesn't.

Questions to ask a personal injury attorney in Chicago, Illinois

A short list to run through before you commit: How many personal injury matters have you handled in the last year? What's your fee structure? Who else in the office will work on this? What's your realistic estimate of timeline and range of outcomes? How do I reach you between meetings?

Fees & payment

Fees, payment methods, and consultation options for Carla

Carla discusses fees during intake so the arrangement fits the matter. Contingency, hourly, and flat-fee options are all common in personal injury practice — ask which fits.

Hourly rates, contingency fees, and flat-fee options

Every personal injury matter is priced differently. Simple document review might be a flat fee. Injury litigation is often contingency. Complex commercial disputes usually run hourly with a retainer. Carla confirms the model in the engagement letter before any work starts.

Payment methods and payment plans

Carla's office accepts standard payment methods. Ask about payment plans if the retainer is a stretch — many personal injury practices work with clients on structured schedules.

Frequently asked

Frequently asked questions about Carla Colaianni

  • How much does it cost to hire Carla for a personal injury case?

    Cost depends on the type of matter, the fee model (contingency, flat, hourly), and how contested the case becomes. Carla walks through the likely range during the consult so there are no surprises.

  • Does Carla offer a free consultation?

    Carla charges for the initial consult; that fee is credited toward representation if you retain Carla's office. Some personal injury attorneys offer free consults — check Carla's current terms during booking.

  • How long do personal injury cases in Illinois typically take?

    Simple personal injury matters can wrap in a few weeks; disputed cases can run 6–18 months from intake to resolution, longer if the matter goes to trial. Carla gives a realistic estimate for your facts at the consult — vague answers here are a red flag.

  • Can Carla take my case if I'm outside Chicago?

    Carla is licensed in Illinois. Matters governed by Illinois law are the natural fit. Out-of-state matters are handled case-by-case, sometimes with local co-counsel. Ask during intake — Carla will tell you if the case is a fit or refer you to someone closer to your court.

  • What should I bring to my first meeting with Carla?

    Bring every document that touches the dispute: contracts, correspondence, police or medical reports, filed pleadings, invoices, photographs, insurance letters. Also bring a written timeline of what happened, in your own words. Carla will filter what matters — over-preparing at intake is always cheaper than needing a second meeting.

  • Is Carla accepting new personal injury clients right now?

    Carla's intake status shifts week to week. Submit the form; the office will confirm availability or refer the matter out.

Areas served

Personal Injury attorneys serving Chicago, Springfield and Northbrook in Illinois

Carla handles personal injury matters throughout Illinois. Each city below is a direct link into the search page for verified personal injury attorneys in that community.

More counsel

If Carla's intake is full or the fit isn't right, these personal injury attorneys in Chicago handle similar matters. Every profile below is verified and open to consultations.