Inclusion in Best Lawyers is based entirely on peer-review. The methodology is designed to capture, as accurately as possible, the consensus opinion of leading lawyers about the professional abilities of their colleagues within the same geographical area and legal practice area. Best Lawyers employs a sophisticated, conscientious, rational, and transparent survey process designed to elicit meaningful and substantive evaluations of the quality of legal services.
Martindale-Hubbell facilitates secure online peer review surveys of lawyers across multiple jurisdictions and geographic locations, in similar areas of practice as the lawyer being reviewed. Reviewers are asked to assess their colleagues' general ethical standards and legal ability in a specific area of practice. A confidential threshold number of qualified responses is required to achieve a Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review RatingTM.
The Chambers USA: A Guide to America’s Leading Business Lawyers, is an independent, objective, research-based legal directory. Attorneys and law firms are selected for inclusion by strong recommendations from the market and according to reputation. The Chambers USA researchers conduct interviews with clients and other lawyers to build a picture of the sector and of the leading lawyers within it.