Award Methodologies

Super Lawyers

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.

Avvo

Avvo calculates ratings based on public data we may have collected on each attorney and the information they have provided in their profile. The public data collected comes from a variety of sources, including public records (state bar associations, regulatory agencies, and court records) and other published sources on the internet. This information, however, is not exhaustive, and might not include additional relevant information that could increase an attorney’s rating. Attorneys know about their own experience and have the option to add this information to their profiles – by either claiming their profile and adding information, or contacting Avvo Customer Care to provide additional information – and those details will often increase an attorney’s rating. Avvo’s mathematical module considers and weights the information collected and provided to calculate a numerical rating, ranging from 1 to 10. Within the model, Avvo takes into account factors that consumers and legal professionals believe are relevant to an attorney’s qualifications, including experience, professional achievements, and disciplinary sanctions.

New Jersey Supreme Court Certified Attorneys

New Jersey Supreme Court Certified Attorneys have met the following guidelines:

• A good standing member of the New Jersey Bar for at least 5 years
• Fulfill ongoing continuing legal education requirements
• Demonstrate substantial experience in their specific area of practice
• Attain favorable evaluations from other attorneys and judges
• Pass a test on their specific practice area

New Jersey Association for Justice

Regular Members of the New Jersey Association for Justice meet the following guidelines: Any person who is licensed to practice in New Jersey; is of good moral character; is engaged in any field or phase of advocacy; follows the rules of professional conduct of New Jersey; and who is committed and devoted to the concept of a fair trial, the adversary system, and a just result for the injured, the accused, and those whose rights are jeopardized, shall be eligible for regular membership, and shall continue to be a regular member in good standing upon the payment of his periodic dues, and the continued adherence to the objectives of the Association and to the qualifications for membership, and who shall in writing subscribe to those objectives. Provided, however, that no person shall be eligible for or continue his Regular Membership in this Association who, for the most part, represents the defense of personal injury litigation.

National Academy of Criminal Defense Attorneys

The National Academy of Criminal Defense Attorneys uses a thorough selection process to determine the top criminal defense attorneys in each state. With thousands of attorneys in each state, the NACDA’s rigorous, independent selection process resolves the challenge of attorneys claiming to be “the best” without basis for such claims. For the accused, finding a well-qualified criminal defense attorney is imperative, and the NACDA’s process leaves no doubt as to whom the preeminent criminal defense attorneys are:

• The attorneys who make the NACDA list must first be nominated by a licensed practicing attorney or one of our in-house research staff members.
• Second, the NACDA research staff verifies the nominated individuals meet the minimum requirements of membership in the NACDA.
• The NACDA processing committee selects a portion of the nominated attorneys to advance to the final selection stage

The National Trial Lawyers: Top 100

The National Trial Lawyers: Top 100 is an invitation-only organization composed of the premier trial lawyers from each state or region who meet stringent qualifications as civil plaintiff and/or criminal defense trial lawyers. Selection is based on a thorough multi-phase objective and uniformly applied process which includes peer nominations combined with third-party research. Membership is extended only to the select few of the most qualified attorneys from each state or region who demonstrate superior qualifications of leadership, reputation, influence, stature and public profile measured by objective and uniformly applied standards in compliance with state bar and national Rule 4-7.

BBB

BBB ratings represent the BBB’s opinion of how the business is likely to interact with its customers. The BBB rating is based on information BBB is able to obtain about the business, including complaints received from the public. BBB seeks and uses information directly from businesses and from public data sources. BBB assigns ratings from A+ (highest) to F (lowest). In some cases, BBB will not rate the business (indicated by an NR, or “No Rating”) for reasons that include insufficient information about a business or ongoing review/update of the business’s file. BBB Business Profiles generally explain the most significant factors that raise or lower a business’s rating. BBB ratings are not a guarantee of a business’s reliability or performance. BBB recommends that consumers consider a business’s BBB rating in addition to all other available information about the business. Customer Reviews are not used in the calculation of the BBB Letter Grade Rating.

Ten Leaders

The standard for inclusion in Ten Leaders is based on five primary criteria:

• Degree of focus on a practice area. Professionals in their area of expertise generally practice in their field exclusively, with a minimum focus of 85%.
• Number of years practicing in their area of expertise. In the law, the minimum years of practice is 20 for senior groups, 10 for Under 45 Groups; in medicine, the minimum is 10 years from emerging from their general residency, and 8 as an owner or co-owner. In finance and architecture, the year minimum is 15 in the profession and at least five years as an owner or co-owner. In technology, the minimums are lower – 10 years in the field, and five years as an owner or co-owner.
• The volume of client/patient work in a given practice area, according to the professional and his or her peers.
• Reputation among peer group, based on multiple interviews with professionals who practice apart from the professional in question.
• Leadership and written work on behalf of existing professional organizations, such as sections and committees of state professional organizations.