Selection Process and Criteria
How Attorneys are Selected for the Elite Lawyer Award
We select attorneys for the Elite Lawyer award using a rigorous, multi-phased process that starts with peer nomination and ends with an award and a listing on our directory. The overall, end objective is to provide a credible, comprehensive, and competent resource for attorneys, and for consumers looking to hire an outstanding, highly recognized attorney in their area.
Step 1 - The Nomination Process
The nomination process is designed to help the Advisory Panel in finding high-quality attorneys who may be eligible for the Elite Lawyer Award. Because attorneys are prohibited from nominating themselves or campaigning their peers to receive nominations, our system is designed to filter out those who attempt to "game" the system and will disqualify any attorneys suspected of doing so.
Attorneys may enter the Elite Lawyer nomination pool through:
- Peer nomination
- Third-party resources and feedback
- Nomination from the Elite Lawyer Advisory Panel
Step 2 - The Review and Evaluation Process
The Elite Lawyer Advisory Panel reviews, rates, and evaluates attorneys based on their legal history, experience, and reputation to ensure they are Elite Lawyer material. Gathered from a variety of resources, including both online and print publications and databases, some of these factors carry more weight than others. Additional attorneys may also be discovered by our Advisory Panel during this phase.
The Award's criteria is based upon several indicators of professional achievement, reputation, commitment to community, and legal competence, including:
- Legal experience
- Settlements and verdicts
- National or local honors and/or awards
- Special licensing, credentials, and certification
- Service/commitment to their community
- Service/commitment to the legal profession as a whole
- Memberships and positions held
- Bar activity
- Years in practice
- Professional reputation
- Education/employment
- Position held within a law firm
- Any additional achievements or experience deemed relative by the Advisory Panel
Step 3 - Award and Recognition
Due to a limited number of awards, only a small percentage of nominated attorneys make it to the final selection and receive recognition. Award-winning attorneys come from firms of various sizes, practice in a wide array of legal areas, and are located all throughout the nation.
Exceptional attorneys who are selected for the Elite Lawyer Award are recognized through a directory listing on the Elite Lawyer website. Our comprehensive directory sets these award-winning legal professionals apart from their peers, and it is designed to serve as a quick and easy-to-use search tool to give consumers peace of mind in knowing that the attorney they find on the directory has the credibility and experience they are looking for in a legal advocate. Contact us today to submit a peer to the Elite Lawyer directory.
