Attorneys In The News

Lane & Lane, LLC represents surviving children against Chicago Housing Authority.

CHA settles with woman's family for $5.75 mil.
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Family Hopes CHA Fire Settlement Will Prevent Future Deaths. Click Here to view video.

Scott D. Lane featured in Law Bulletin article: 40 Illinois Attorneys Under Forty to Watch

Type of law: Plaintiff's Personal Injury
Law School: Loyola University of Chicago School of Law
Involvements/Honors: Law Review; Dean's List; Trial Team; American College of Trial Lawyers Medal for Excellence and Advocacy; Alpha Sigma Nu National Honor Society; Leadership and Service Award; Loyola's Circle of Advocates. Scott is an active member of the Chicago Bar Association, Decalogue Society of Lawyers, Illinois State Bar Association, American Bar Association, Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, Association of Trial Lawyers in America and the American College of Legal Medicine.

A partner of the Law Office of Lane & Lane, LLC, Scott began his legal career as a Cook County Assistant State's Attorney. He has made a lasting impression on his peers. His nomination packet was easily the thickest, containing letter after letter from fellow attorneys and judges praising his skill and tremendous success as a litigator, teacher and writer. A former opponent states, "I was surprised that Scott is still eligible for 'under 40' recognition. He is unquestionably a lawyer mature and accomplished beyond his years."

As a litigator, Scott's resume includes impressive verdicts and settlements in jurisdictions throughout Illinois and around the country. An attorney who defended a wrongful death case against Scott said, "Overall . . . it was one of the best performances by a plaintiff's trial attorney I have ever witnessed."Scott's trial preparation has been a key to his success. A Cook County trial judge stated that he had "never seen an attorney so well prepared. Scott proceeded to obtain from the jury the largest verdict in my courtroom."

Scott's ability as a litigator can be measured by his track record in difficult cases. One such case involved the death of a bystander who was shot by a restaurant cook during a fight that occurred outside the restaurant. Using only the testimony of hostile adverse witnesses, Scott established that the cook was negligent and acting within the scope of his employment during the shooting. As a result, a substantial verdict was entered against the restaurant owner. Another former opponent acknowledged Scott's ability to succeed in difficult cases: "in a highly defensible (complex medical malpractice) case, Scott took more from my client than I care to recall. It was absolutely a case in which the quality of Scott's advocacy turned the situation around."

One defense attorney stated, "Scott is not only a first-rate attorney, but he is also an outstanding appellate advocate, which is a very rare combination in our legal community." Scott has authored Amicus Briefs to the Illinois Supreme Court in cases that have resulted in landmark decisions. He also successfully handled the appeal of the case that guaranteed the right of attorneys to directly question jurors during jury selection.

Scott also devotes significant time to teaching and writing. He has coached Loyola's successful trial team and is a co-director and faculty member of the Illinois State Bar Association Trial Technique Institute. Scott often lectures at seminars and has authored numerous articles, chapters and texts on various aspects of civil litigation and trial technique.

According to another defense attorney, "Scott Lane is one of the most ethical attorneys I have encountered in my career and he is professional in every sense of the word." One former client-attorney remarked, "Scott is not only a skilled practitioner, but a moral, compassionate human being who deeply cares for each and every client. There are many lawyers; there are few Scott Lanes."

Scott is married with two young children. Despite his busy professional and personal life, he has also demonstrated a willingness to help the community. Last October, Scott raised money for the families of the New York City Firefighters by running in the Chicago Marathon.

"Scott, congratulations on being recognized for what we have known all along!"

Medical Malpractice Insurance Companies Inflated Losses by Billions to Overcharge Doctors, Study Finds; Consumer Advocates Call for Investigation of Insurance Accounting Practices

SANTA MONICA, Calif., Dec. 29 /U.S. Newswire/ -- In official documents filed with state regulators and in statements to public officials, medical malpractice insurance companies consistently inflated the amount they estimated they would pay out in claims, according to a study released today by the nonprofit, nonpartisan Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights (FTCR). Insurers then used the overstated figures to justify enormous increases in doctors' premiums and pressure legislators to enact lawsuit restrictions, the study concludes. Malpractice insurers inflated their losses by an average 46 percent each year between 1986 and 1994, the study found. During that period, insurers reported $39 billion in losses to regulators, but actually paid out only $27 billion in claims. FTCR called for an investigation of industry accounting practices that it said enable insurance companies to misrepresent their financial condition and charge potentially billions of dollars in excessive premiums.

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