Allen Law Group: Super Lawyers® and Rising Stars®

What It Means When an Attorney Is Named a Super Lawyer®

Super Lawyers® is a national lawyer‑rating service owned by Thomson Reuters. It publishes an annual list of outstanding attorneys by state and practice area. Nominations are made by other attorneys as well as the Super Lawyers® research staff. No attorney pays for a nomination, or for being recognized as a Super Lawyer® and heralded as being in the top five (5%) in the country.

This distinction is one of several ways that someone injured in an accident can choose between potential personal injury attorneys to represent them in pursuing their legal claims for damages.

For details, read our corresponding article on Super Lawyers® which details its selection process.

Indication of Attorney’s Reputation Among Other Lawyers

One thing for an attorney recognized as a Super Lawyer® is that it gives both other attorneys (who might be wanting to refer someone to an injury lawyer) as well as injured victims and their loved ones a concrete way to know the lawyer’s reputation among others in the legal profession. The nominations are made by the attorney’s peers. For some, it is good to know that someone has built respect with their colleagues for the work that they do.

Other peer recognition sources include BestLawyers® and Martindale-Hubbell Peer Ratings. See, Why Best Lawyers® Recognition Matters When Choosing a Personal Injury Attorney.

Information About the Lawyer’s Experience and Focus

Another help that the Super Lawyer® recognition provides is it gives details on that attorney’s experience and focus to someone looking to hire legal counsel. The designation is not a certification of any kind. It does help to identify lawyers that are dedicated to specific types of cases, though: someone working solely in personal injury law may be of more interest to an injured victim than an attorney who handles all types of cases.

Even more so, there may be clarity regarding lawyers that are comfortable in the courtroom and taking cases to trial before a jury, as opposed to those who are not. In controversial personal injury cases with lots of damages calculated in the claims, the reality that the defendants may fight all the way to a jury verdict cannot be underestimated.

For more, read Why a Lawyer who is a Trial Attorney Is Important for Accident Victims in Personal Injury Cases.

What are Rising Stars®?

Within the Super Lawyers® distinction is the category of Rising Star® which targets attorneys (1) under the age of 40 years, or (2) who have not been practicing law for over ten (10) years. Only 2.5% of those meeting these criteria in each state are selected to be “Rising Stars” in their jurisdiction. The honor is intended to bring attention to younger attorneys with meritorious achievements through peer recognition.

From Super Lawyers®:

The selection process for the Rising Stars list is the same as the Super Lawyers 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, go through the Rising Stars selection process. While the top five percent of the lawyers in the state are named to Super Lawyers, the top 2.5 percent are named to the Rising Stars list.

Other Considerations Alongside Attorney is a Super Lawyer®

For clients looking to hire a personal injury attorney in Illinois or Indiana, it is important to research possible choices as well as taking the time to go and meet with them personally. No reputable attorney will charge to meet with someone who is considering hiring them or their law firm. And no reputable attorney will act on behalf of anyone without a formal legal representation agreement, agreed to by everybody, and signed on the dotted line.

The Super Lawyer® distinction helps identify those lawyers who are recognized for their experience and reputation within the legal community. This is important. Understandably, those attorneys who have been named as a Super Lawyer® are proud of this accolade; the attorneys here at Allen Law Group are very honored to have this type of peer recognition.

Other SuperLawyers® at the Law Firm

Indeed, for some injured victims looking to hire legal counsel, having a law firm where several of the attorneys are Super Lawyers® may be a consideration. From early settlement negotiations, through a big jury trial and a potential appellate fight, having several Super Lawyers® on the team may be valuable in a fight for justice against one of more corporations and their insurance company defense teams.

For instance, at Allen Law Group the following have been recognized as Super Lawyers® or RisingStars®:

Dovetailing Considerations

When narrowing down the attorneys to interview as possible legal counsel, SuperLawyers® helps to narrow the list for some. Other things that may be factors here include things like:

other awards and accolades, such as BestLawyers® and the Martindale-Hubbell Preeminent Rating;
scholarly endeavors, including authoring legal articles and speaking at continuing legal education seminars; and
recognition for large verdicts or settlements, e.g., Top Verdicts in America or Top Settlements in America .

The accolade of Super Lawyers® is something that distinguishes attorneys in our part of the country, but it is not the only consideration in making the very important decision of who to hire as legal counsel, especially in the David and Goliath scenario so commonplace in personal injury matters.

Choosing the Lawyer That is Right for You and Your Family

From the beginning of an investigation into the causes of an accident through the final resolution of the case, clients and lawyers (together with various experts) may work together for months or even years. Personal relationships form, from one hard-fought battle victory to the next. There must be mutual trust and respect.

Choosing the right fit for the attorney who will fight for you and your loved ones is extremely important. Having established reference sources like SuperLawyers® can be a tremendous help in making your decision.

For more, read:

Working together with various experts, a legal team is built to bring legal accountability against wrongdoers for the harms sustained in an accident which is often found to have been preventable if there had not been breaches in legal duties of care and safety. One of the factors available to the victim in making their hiring decision is SuperLawyers® recognition. Please be careful out there!