The Lawdragon selection process has been created over 30 years of researching and reporting on the legal profession and creating lists and guides to the most effective legal professionals. Our team brings more than 100 years in the lawyer reporting and information business.
The foundation of our selection is in journalism. We research each guide extensively, studying which lawyers and law practices have had significant impact, including an emphasis on recent cases handled and victories and settlements won. We review cutting-edge litigation, as well as trends in plaintiff consumer law and review the lawyers consistently turned to for guidance in those matters. Also, winning matters. Every true trial lawyer loses a case, that’s understood. But we are looking for lawyers who won’t rest until they have done all in their power to help a client receive justice.
We accept submissions and review them alongside thousands of candidates we independently identify and consider for each guide. We also work with editorial advisors from both the plaintiff and defense side who specialize in the various disciplines that comprise plaintiff consumer litigation to identify and vet candidates.
While the disciplines we focus on for plaintiff consumer are ever evolving with the law, in 2023 they chiefly encompass:
In almost every instance, a lawyer featured in this guide is recognized because they bring justice to individuals (or groups of them) for a physical harm they have suffered, as opposed to one that is chiefly financial.
Among the emerging practices reflected in this year’s guide is privacy, and in particular, the harms caused by its digital theft or invasion. In years past, we have seen this more as a Plaintiff Financial action, but the evolving nature of these claims has us parsing its proper home. As a result, there are practitioners in this area in Plaintiff Consumer, as there will be in Plaintiff Financial on May 26. We’d love your input.
Included among our research are reports of jury verdicts and settlements, whether self-published, reported in various publications or compiled in annual summations. We do not rely on any particular service as none provide comprehensive information and analysis.
To make a Lawdragon guide, a lawyer will have been in practice 10 years, with extremely rare exceptions, and in most cases significantly more. Similarly, virtually all will be partners in their law practice or hold a designation that indicates the regard of those with whom they practice. Those selected in their more junior years in practice generally bring prior careers, or other hallmarks and achievements that indicate future success at an early stage in law practice.
Leadership within their practice in a firm and or in relevant bar organizations is considered. We are avid fans of a small handful of elite bar organizations with selective membership criteria and vetting. To us, those are quite easy to distinguish from more sprawling commercial enterprises with little discernable acuity in their assessments.
The regard in which one is held by peers is noted, and strong personal qualities are valued. We aim to include those others aspire to be and who are admired for their intellect and wisdom as well as conduct and leadership. We have long tangled with our “no jerks” philosophy, as unfortunately there are some lawyers with outstanding legal skills and accomplishments who fall short as employers or people. We can all do better, and it’s important to the Lawdragon team to underscore that this is a factor we debate and that can be disqualifying.
Lawdragon is an advocate for inclusion in the legal profession and searches extensively for female and inclusive candidates who represent diversity.
Thank you for your interest in Lawdragon.