Super Lawyers are selected by Law & Politics magazine via a rigorous, multiphase process. Peer nominations and evaluations are combined with third party research. Each candidate is evaluated on 12 indicators of peer recognition and professional achievement. The Super Lawyers selection process involves three steps: creation of the candidate pool; evaluation of candidates by the Law & Politics research department; and peer evaluation by practice area. Selections are made on an annual, state-by-state basis. A “Rising Star” must be under 40 or have practiced for ten years or less. Although not peer-reviewed, only 2.5% are named to the Rising Stars list. Details can be found here: http://www.superlawyers.com/about/selection_process.html
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The Lawdragon 500 are selected each year, chosen through a combination of research by Lawdragon editorial staff, submissions from law firms, and an online ballot for visitors to Lawdragon.com. The selection process is primarily limited to candidates who, among other things, have been in practice a minimum of 15 years; are law firm partners; play central roles in important cases or deals; are significant business developers; are leaders in their legal field; and are overwhelmingly endorsed by national peers. Details can be found here: http://www.lawdragon.com/index.php/newdragon/faqs#faq1
AVVO Ratings are calculated using a mathematical model that considers a lawyer’s years in practice, disciplinary history, professional achievements and industry recognition – all factors that, in AVVO’s opinion, are relevant to assessing a lawyer’s qualifications.
According to AVVO, their ratings can help find the right lawyer because:
- They are unbiased.
- There is no favoritism.
- It is developed by legal experts for non-experts.
- It is easy to understand.
AVVO does not intend their rating to be the only thing you use in choosing a lawyer. It is only one tool and it is AVVO’s effort to provide a snapshot evaluation of the lawyer’s background, so that you can more effectively compare the available background information of different lawyers. The Avvo Rating is based only on the information that AVVO has collected about a lawyer and is not based on an in-person evaluation. The rating does not measure subjective factors like personality and communication style and does not factor in a lawyer’s performance on particular cases or matters.
Additional details can be found here: http://www.avvo.com/support/avvo_rating
