selection process faq - Super Lawyers
SELECTIONPROCESS PROCESS FAQ FAQ SELECTION Q WHAT IS THE SUPER LAWYERS SELECTION PROCESS?
A
Super Lawyers selects attorneys using a patented multiphase selection process. Peer nominations and evaluations are combined with independent research. Each candidate is evaluated on 12 indicators of peer recognition and professional achievement. Selections are made on an annual, state-by-state basis. The objective is to create a credible, comprehensive and diverse listing of outstanding attorneys that can be used as a resource for attorneys and consumers searching for legal counsel. Since Super Lawyers is intended to be used as an aid in selecting a lawyer, we limit the lawyer ratings to those who can be hired and retained by the public, i.e., lawyers in private practice and Legal Aid attorneys.
Q WHAT ARE THE STEPS OF THE SELECTION PROCESS? A
STEP 1: CREATION OF THE CANDIDATE POOL. Lawyers enter the candidate pool by being formally nominated by a peer during their state’s nomination period or if identified by the Super Lawyers research department during the research process. To be eligible to make nominations, an attorney must be licensed and practicing in the state where he or she wishes to nominate. During each state’s nomination period, Super Lawyers sends attorneys licensed for five or more years an email invitation to nominate. While self-nominations are not accepted, attorneys can submit detailed information about their practice on My.SuperLawyers.com which the Super Lawyers research department will consider. Please note, the nomination process is simply the first step in our process. No matter how many nominations one receives, it will not guarantee selection. STEP 2: INDEPENDENT RESEARCH. During this stage, the Super Lawyers research team conducts detailed research evaluations for attorneys in the candidate pool. Each candidate is evaluated on 12 indicators of peer recognition and professional achievement:
• Verdicts and settlements • Transactions • Representative clients • Experience • Honors and awards • Special licenses and certifications
• • • • • •
Position within law firm Bar and/or other professional activity Pro bono and community service as a lawyer Scholarly lectures and writings Education and employment background Other outstanding achievements
These indicators are not treated equally; some have a higher maximum point value than others. While we do our best to discover all we can about an attorney and his or her practice, there are times we cannot find information on all 12 criteria. You can provide detailed information about your practice at My.SuperLawyers.com. This information is used internally and is never published without express consent. Alternatively, biographical information can be sent directly to the research team at [email protected]. Learn More at SuperLawyers.com/SelectionProcess
SELECTIONPROCESS PROCESS FAQ FAQ SELECTION
STEP 3: PEER EVALUATIONS. In this step, also known as the “blue ribbon review,” candidates are grouped according to their primary areas of practice. The candidates in each practice area with the highest point totals from steps one and two above are asked to serve on a blue ribbon panel. The panelists are then provided a list of candidates from their practice areas to review, rating them on a scale of one to five. FINAL SELECTION. Selections are made on an annual, state-by-state basis. Candidates are grouped into four firm-size categories. Those with the highest point totals from each category are selected. This means solo and small firm lawyers are compared with other solo and small firm attorneys, and large firm lawyers are compared with other large firm lawyers.
Q HOW MANY ATTORNEYS ARE SELECTED? A
The Super Lawyers list recognizes no more than five percent of attorneys in each state. The Rising Stars list recognizes no more than 2.5 percent of attorneys in each state. To be eligible for inclusion in Rising Stars, a candidate must be either 40 years old or younger, or in practice for 10 years or less.
Q IS THE RISING STARS SELECTION PROCESS DIFFERENT THAN THE SUPER LAWYERS SELECTION PROCESS? A
Super Lawyers selects the Rising Stars list using the same selection process, with one exception: to be eligible for inclusion in Rising Stars, a candidate must be either 40 years old or younger or in practice for 10 years or less. All attorneys first go through the Super Lawyers selection process. Those who are not selected to the Super Lawyers list, but who meet either one of the Rising Stars eligibility requirements, then go through the Rising Stars selection process. While up to five percent of the lawyers in the state are named to Super Lawyers, no more than 2.5 percent are named to the Rising Stars list.
Q DOES AN ATTORNEY PAY TO BE PUBLISHED IN SUPER LAWYERS? A
No. We maintain strict separation between research and advertising. The names of all attorneys selected by Super Lawyers are published in our print publications (those that feature a list) and at SuperLawyers.com at no charge whether they advertise or not. Advertising sales do not begin until after the selection process is completed.
Q I WAS NOT SELECTED THIS YEAR. WHY? A
Each year we conduct the Super Lawyers selection process using the most current data, which includes peer nominations, independent research conducted by our research team, and peer evaluations done by practice area. Typically there is a 10 percent change to the list from year to year. When we list an attorney one year, we will keep that lawyer in the candidate pool the following year. The selection we make one year does not guarantee future selection to the list. You may provide us current details about your practice online at My.SuperLawyers.com at any time. You may also email biographical information to us at [email protected].
Q CAN I FIND OUT WHO NOMINATED ME? A
No. We maintain strict confidentiality over the balloting process.
Learn More at SuperLawyers.com/SelectionProcess
A
Super Lawyers selects attorneys using a patented multiphase selection process. Peer nominations and evaluations are combined with independent research. Each candidate is evaluated on 12 indicators of peer recognition and professional achievement. Selections are made on an annual, state-by-state basis. The objective is to create a credible, comprehensive and diverse listing of outstanding attorneys that can be used as a resource for attorneys and consumers searching for legal counsel. Since Super Lawyers is intended to be used as an aid in selecting a lawyer, we limit the lawyer ratings to those who can be hired and retained by the public, i.e., lawyers in private practice and Legal Aid attorneys.
Q WHAT ARE THE STEPS OF THE SELECTION PROCESS? A
STEP 1: CREATION OF THE CANDIDATE POOL. Lawyers enter the candidate pool by being formally nominated by a peer during their state’s nomination period or if identified by the Super Lawyers research department during the research process. To be eligible to make nominations, an attorney must be licensed and practicing in the state where he or she wishes to nominate. During each state’s nomination period, Super Lawyers sends attorneys licensed for five or more years an email invitation to nominate. While self-nominations are not accepted, attorneys can submit detailed information about their practice on My.SuperLawyers.com which the Super Lawyers research department will consider. Please note, the nomination process is simply the first step in our process. No matter how many nominations one receives, it will not guarantee selection. STEP 2: INDEPENDENT RESEARCH. During this stage, the Super Lawyers research team conducts detailed research evaluations for attorneys in the candidate pool. Each candidate is evaluated on 12 indicators of peer recognition and professional achievement:
• Verdicts and settlements • Transactions • Representative clients • Experience • Honors and awards • Special licenses and certifications
• • • • • •
Position within law firm Bar and/or other professional activity Pro bono and community service as a lawyer Scholarly lectures and writings Education and employment background Other outstanding achievements
These indicators are not treated equally; some have a higher maximum point value than others. While we do our best to discover all we can about an attorney and his or her practice, there are times we cannot find information on all 12 criteria. You can provide detailed information about your practice at My.SuperLawyers.com. This information is used internally and is never published without express consent. Alternatively, biographical information can be sent directly to the research team at [email protected]. Learn More at SuperLawyers.com/SelectionProcess
SELECTIONPROCESS PROCESS FAQ FAQ SELECTION
STEP 3: PEER EVALUATIONS. In this step, also known as the “blue ribbon review,” candidates are grouped according to their primary areas of practice. The candidates in each practice area with the highest point totals from steps one and two above are asked to serve on a blue ribbon panel. The panelists are then provided a list of candidates from their practice areas to review, rating them on a scale of one to five. FINAL SELECTION. Selections are made on an annual, state-by-state basis. Candidates are grouped into four firm-size categories. Those with the highest point totals from each category are selected. This means solo and small firm lawyers are compared with other solo and small firm attorneys, and large firm lawyers are compared with other large firm lawyers.
Q HOW MANY ATTORNEYS ARE SELECTED? A
The Super Lawyers list recognizes no more than five percent of attorneys in each state. The Rising Stars list recognizes no more than 2.5 percent of attorneys in each state. To be eligible for inclusion in Rising Stars, a candidate must be either 40 years old or younger, or in practice for 10 years or less.
Q IS THE RISING STARS SELECTION PROCESS DIFFERENT THAN THE SUPER LAWYERS SELECTION PROCESS? A
Super Lawyers selects the Rising Stars list using the same selection process, with one exception: to be eligible for inclusion in Rising Stars, a candidate must be either 40 years old or younger or in practice for 10 years or less. All attorneys first go through the Super Lawyers selection process. Those who are not selected to the Super Lawyers list, but who meet either one of the Rising Stars eligibility requirements, then go through the Rising Stars selection process. While up to five percent of the lawyers in the state are named to Super Lawyers, no more than 2.5 percent are named to the Rising Stars list.
Q DOES AN ATTORNEY PAY TO BE PUBLISHED IN SUPER LAWYERS? A
No. We maintain strict separation between research and advertising. The names of all attorneys selected by Super Lawyers are published in our print publications (those that feature a list) and at SuperLawyers.com at no charge whether they advertise or not. Advertising sales do not begin until after the selection process is completed.
Q I WAS NOT SELECTED THIS YEAR. WHY? A
Each year we conduct the Super Lawyers selection process using the most current data, which includes peer nominations, independent research conducted by our research team, and peer evaluations done by practice area. Typically there is a 10 percent change to the list from year to year. When we list an attorney one year, we will keep that lawyer in the candidate pool the following year. The selection we make one year does not guarantee future selection to the list. You may provide us current details about your practice online at My.SuperLawyers.com at any time. You may also email biographical information to us at [email protected].
Q CAN I FIND OUT WHO NOMINATED ME? A
No. We maintain strict confidentiality over the balloting process.
Learn More at SuperLawyers.com/SelectionProcess
