Super Lawyers - Pennsylvania 2011

NOMINATION, RESEARCH
& SELECTION PROCESS

Super Lawyers selects attorneys using a
rigorous, multiphase process in which
peer nominations and evaluations are
combined with our independent research:

NOMINATIONS

Each year, we invite lawyers to nominate the top attorneys they've personally observed in action. Our attorney-led research staff also searches for lawyers who have attained certain honors or results.

EVALUATION OF THE
CANDIDATE POOL
Our researchers evaluate candidates
by 12 indicators of peer recognition
and professional achievement.
PEER EVALUATION BY
PRACTICE AREA

Candidates are grouped according to their primary practice areas. Candidates in each practice area who received the highest point totals in the steps above are asked to serve on a review panel.

FINAL SELECTION

Candidates are grouped into categories based on firm size. The attorneys with the highest totals from each category are selected. Thus, lawyers are grouped with other lawyers of comparable firm size.

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One of the persistent misperceptions about Super Lawyers is that attorneys are simply “voted” on to the list. While it’s true that we invite lawyers to nominate their peers, as you’ll see, this is just a part of what we do in selecting lawyers for Super Lawyers (and Rising Stars, our listing of top lawyers who are 40 years old and younger, or who have been in practice 10 or fewer years).

Our process has three distinct phases. We start with the creation of the candidate pool, which involves peer nominations and our research. Our research department then evaluates each candidate. The last step is a review of the candidates by their peers within their primary area of practice. Together, these three steps create a system of checks and balances that produces a well-rounded list of attorneys. (A more detailed description of our process is available at superlawyers.com.)

We evaluate candidates based on

12 indicators of peer recognition and professional achievement. These include: verdicts, settlements and transactions; representative clients; experience; honors and awards; special licenses and certifications; position within law firm; bar and other professional activity; pro bono and community service; scholarly lectures and writings; education and employment background; and other outstanding achievements.

HOW WE SELECT ATTORNEYS FOR
INCLUSION IN SUPER LAWYERS
FROM THE DIRECTOR OF RESEARCH & EDITORIAL

Research evaluations are based on information gathered from a variety of sources. Our research department searches biographies on law firm websites, online and database sources, legal periodicals, and any information and evaluations supplied to us by lawyers at my.superlawyers.com.

There are safeguards built into our system to ensure that large firms don’t dominate the list and to detect manipulation of the process (e.g., reciprocal or orchestrated nominations). We do not select attorneys by practice area per se; rather, selected lawyers report to us their primary area of practice, and that’s how they are listed in the magazine.

CINDY LARSON

28 SUPERLAWYERS.COM Note: The list was finalized as of April 13, 2011. Any updates to the list (for example, status changes or disqualifying events) will be reflected on superlawyers.com.

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