Best Lawyers^®, the oldest and most respected legal rankings company, is pleased to announce the milestone 30^th edition of The Best Lawyers in America^® and fourth edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch^® in America legal awards. These significant releases follow closely after independently launching the redesigned Best Law Firms^®. As a result, these awards further enhance the confidence in and recognition of those who are distinguished by this esteemed awards organization.

“This historic 30^th edition of The Best Lawyers in America is a testament to lawyers’ and firms’ appreciation of the Best Lawyers steadfast methodology and historical significance on the legal industry,” said Best Lawyers CEO Phillip Greer. “Best Lawyers and ‘Ones to Watch’ accolades are based purely on the review of other top lawyers practicing in the same metropolitan and practice areas. Those practicing against each other in mediation or arguing across the aisle in court are providing positive feedback on their peers’ skillset, knowledge and professionalism. These awards are a genuine vote of confidence in their fellow lawyers.”

Determined through Best Lawyers’ transparent Purely Peer Review^® research process, the Best Lawyers accolades recognize the top 5% of legal talent in private practice throughout the United States. Also included in the 2024 edition are those recipients of the specialty “Lawyer of the Year” category. "Lawyer of the Year" honors are awarded annually to only one lawyer per practice area in each region with extremely high overall feedback from their peers, making it an exceptional distinction. In this latest edition, only 5,392 lawyers were bestowed the “Lawyer of the Year” distinction, representative of only 0.4% of those in private practice in America.  

Best Lawyers believes the quality of their peer-review survey directly relates to the quality of voters, so only lawyers who were previously recognized by Best Lawyers were asked to review their constituents for the 2024 recognitions. While preparing for the 30^th edition of The Best Lawyers in America, more than 13.7 million votes were analyzed. For the 2024 edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America, more than 2.4 million votes were analyzed, which resulted in more than 25,000 lawyers honored in the new edition. Using the same trusted methodology as traditional Best Lawyers awards, the lawyers recognized in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America are earlier in their careers, typically only being in private practice for less than 10 years.

Best Lawyers has played a pivotal role in aiding individuals seeking legal assistance by helping them pinpoint the most adept lawyers to represent their interests, even in remote jurisdictions or unfamiliar fields of law. When searching for a reputable lawyer, a mark of recognition from Best Lawyers is a valued credential for clients regarding the esteem a lawyer has within their profession.

To view honorees included in the 2024 editions of The Best Lawyers in America and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America, please visit www.bestlawyers.com.