Leslie M. Smith

Leslie Smith is a litigation partner and was a long-time member of the Firm’s Global Management Committee. She concentrates her practice in the areas of antitrust, class action, and consumer fraud litigation.

The Legal 500 stated that Leslie has a ‘good strategic approach’, ‘demonstrates personal commitment to the company’s cause’ and ‘acquires and deploys the best firm talent appropriately’. Leslie is highlighted as “2017 Life Science Star” by LMG Life Sciences and named as a “Best Lawyer” in the area of Commercial Litigation from 2016–2023 by The Best Lawyers in America. Leslie has been named to the Benchmark: Top 250 Women in Litigation and recognized as a “Litigation Star” each year since 2013. In 2017, she was selected to the Crain’s Chicago Business “Most Influential Women Lawyers in Chicago” list. Most recently, in 2022, The Legal 500 U.S. recommended Leslie for her work in Product Liability, Mass Torts and Class Actions: Defense: Toxic Tort and Product Liability, Mass Torts and Class Actions: Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices. She was recommended by The Legal 500 U.S. in 2021 for Product Liability, Mass Tort and Class Action: Automotive/Transport; in 2020 for Product Liability, Mass Torts and Class Actions: Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices: Defense; in 2018 for General Commercial Disputes; in 2012–2015 for Product Liability and Mass Tort Defense: Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices; and in 2015 for Commercial Litigation. Leslie is also identified as a leading products liability lawyer by Chambers USA, America’s Leading Lawyers for Business from 2011–2022, and as a “Rising Star” in the 2010 edition. From 2012–2014, The Legal 500 U.S. recommended Leslie for her work in Product Liability and Mass Tort Defense: Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices. Leslie was named a 2013 BTI Client Service All-Star by counsel by Fortune 1000 and other billion-dollar companies. Additionally, in April 2004, Leslie was listed as one of 21 women litigators on the rise in the article “A Woman’s Place is in the Courtroom,” which appeared in Diversity & the Bar magazine. In July 2001, Leslie was selected as one of 40 Illinois Attorneys Under 40 to Watch by The Law Bulletin Publishing Company.