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 matters handled. We accept submissions and review them alongside thousands of candidates we identify and consider for each guide. We also work with editorial advisors in each substantive area to develop the focus of the guide and identify talent.
To make a Lawdragon guide, a lawyer will have been in practice 10 years, with extremely rare exceptions. Similarly, virtually all will be partners in their law practice or hold a designation that indicates the regard of those with whom they practice. Leadership within their practice in a firm and or in relevant bar organizations is considered.
For the U.S. Bankruptcy 500, we researched veteran bankruptcy and financial restructuring lawyers throughout the U.S. as well as litigators who specialize in parsing financial failures. Those included typically have decades of experience in significant roles in the largest, most complex reorganizations, or the financings including distressed M&A, that avert them. Regional standouts who handle significant matters in their ambit are included. Many of these lawyers also have significant cross-border experience and will be included as well in the upcoming Global Bankruptcy 500. As always, membership in invitation-only bar associations relevant to the bankruptcy practice is considered, as is leadership in related organizations and one’s community. Also included are a handful of younger stars who are already taking on top roles in the biggest busts.
Lawdragon is an advocate for inclusion in the legal profession and searches extensively for female candidates, attorneys of color and others who represent diversity.