LAFATA LAW OFFICES
312-780-6340
Founding Partner
312-780-6341
Samantha N. LaFata
​Samantha is the Founding Partner of LaFata Law Offices PLLC. While she has handled and tried an array of cases, she has concentrated her career for 20 years in medical malpractice. Samantha is known for her medical acumen. ​
Before founding LaFata Law Offices PLLC, Samantha was a Partner at a top personal injury firm where she secured multiple record settlements and verdicts for her clients. Prior to serving the injured, Samantha was a Partner at one of the premier medical malpractice defense firms in Chicago. Her health care professional clients expected a vast array of knowledge and command in the medicine, which Samantha now brings to her injured patient and family clients.
​Samantha is a member of multiple professional organizations and lectures frequently.
Outside of the courtroom, Samantha is a mother to a one-of-a-kind daughter and is a passionate animal advocate.
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Membership & Recognition
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Emerging Lawyer ®, by Leading Lawyers Magazine for Personal Injury, 2015-2020
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Leading Lawyer®, by Leading Lawyers Magazine for Personal Injury, 2021-2025
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Named “40 Under 40” Top Attorney to Watch in Illinois 2018 by Chicago Law Bulletin®
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The Society of Trial Lawyers, Board of Directors, 2022-2023 & 2023-2024
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Chicago Bar Association
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Illinois State Bar Association
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Illinois Trial Lawyers Association
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American Board of Trial Advocates
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American Association for Justice
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Jury Verdict Reporter, Trial Lawyer Excellence Award 2025, Highest Reported Bureau County Verdict or Settlement
Education
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The John Marshall Law School, Juris Doctor
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University College Dublin, European Union Certificate and Internship, Chief State Solicitor’s Office at the Office of the Attorney General, Dublin, Ireland
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Loyola University Chicago, Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, cum laude​
Legal Lectures
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"Creating and utilizing demonstrative exhibits with experts,” Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, May 2024.
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“Litigating High Stakes Damages Cases,” Chicago Bar Association Presentation, June 23, 2022.
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“Effective Use of Written Discovery,” Chicago Bar Association Presentation, November 11, 2020.
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“Trial Tips,” Chicago Bar Association Presentation, Daley Center, September 19, 2019.
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“When Negligent Behavior May Become Criminal,” AdvocateAurora Health – Nursing Governance Board, Quarterly Meeting, May 2, 2019, Chicago, Illinois.
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“A Legal Discussion of the Recent Nursing Event in Tennessee – Nurse Criminally Indicted for Medication Error at Vanderbilt,” CHRMS Annual Meeting, April 26, 2019, Chicago, Illinois.
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“A Legal Discussion of the Recent Nursing Event in Tennessee – Nurse Criminally Indicted for Medication Error at Vanderbilt,” Advocate Health Care – Quarterly Claims & Risk Management Meeting, March 15, 2019, Downers Grove, Illinois.
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“Charting: The Great Legal Divide,” Advocate South Suburban Hospital, September 27, 2018, Hazel Crest, Illinois.
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“Petrillo issues in speaking with former employees and impact of the holding in Caldwell v. Advocate Condell Medical Center,” Chicago Healthcare Risk Management Society (CHRMS) Law Day, November 17, 2017, Chicago, Illinois.
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“Illinois Right to Breastfeed Act,” Advocate Christ Medical Center Leadership Conference, Advocate Christ Medical Center, Oak Lawn, Illinois, November 2017.
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“Verdict Set-Off Pursuant to 735 ILCS 5/2-1205 & the impact of Miller v. Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center,” Chicago Healthcare Risk Management Society (CHRMS) Law Day, November 18, 2016, Chicago, Illinois.
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“Nursing Documentation and its Impact on Liability,” Saints Mary and Elizabeth Medical Center, August 2012, Chicago, Illinois.
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“Wound Care Essentials,” Samantha N. LaFata & Sharon Baronoski, R.N., WOCN-NIA Community Education Program, May 2011, Willowbrook, Illinois.
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“Medicare Reporting and Set-Aside Requirements in Litigation,” In-house Seminar for Continuing Legal Education Credit, Lowis & Gellen, Chicago, Illinois, May 2011.
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“Preventing Medical Misadventures,” ISMIE Insurance Presentation, October 2011, Skokie, Illinois.
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“Using Your Law Firm as a Resource,” Chicago Healthcare Risk Management Society (CHRMS) Half Day Seminar, Oak Brook, Illinois, January 2010.