Law & Politics performs the polling, research and selection of Super Lawyers in a process designed to identify Virginia and Washington, D.C. Lawyers who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement.

Law & Politics uses a multi-step selection process that takes approximately nine months. The foundation of the process is a survey sent to all lawyers in the state who have been in practice at least five years. In addition to the survey, Law & Politics researches credentials of nominees, assembles a blue ribbon review panel of leading attorneys from each practice area, directly contacts lawyers and law firm representatives, verifies data and conducts a good-standing review of candidates.

VIRGINIA AND WASHINGTON, D.C. SUPER LAWYERS® MULTI-STEP SELECTION PROCESS

Survey of Lawyers:

Each year Law & Politics sends a ballot to the thousands of active Virginia and Washington, D.C. lawyers who have been in practice five years or more. The ballot asks lawyers to nominate the best attorneys they’ve personally observed in action. The intent is to discourage votes based purely on reputation. Law & Politics monitors balloting for indications of manipulation, and eliminates such ballots from consideration.

The Blue Ribbon Panel Review:

The nominees are grouped into more than 60 practice areas. Those nominees with the highest point totals from each practice area are invited to serve on the blue ribbon panel. Each blue ribbon panelist reviews and scores a list of nominees from his or her primary practice area.

The Research Process:

*Interviews and contacts: Throughout the selection process, Law & Politics meets and corresponds with law firms in Virginia and Washington, D.C. to identify the top lawyers in those firms.

*Independent research: The Law & Politics attorney-led research team actively searches for outstanding attorneys to complement the statewide survey of lawyers. The research team evaluates prospective candidates on indicators of peer recognition and professional achievement. Civic service and pro bono activities are also considered.

*Data Verification: Each candidate is contacted to verify the lawyer’s professional information, including primary area of practice. Even if selected, a Super Lawyer candidate’s name will not be published unless all information is verified prior to publication.

*Good standing review: Law & Politics reviews the discipline record of each candidate and verifies that the lawyer is active and in good standing with The Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of Virginia and Washington, D.C..

The Final Selection Process:

Candidates are divided according to firm size and geographic location. Top candidates from each group are selected as Super Lawyers. In addition to attorneys in private practice, Super Lawyers include prosecutors, in-house counsel and public service lawyers.

For more information on Super Lawyer ® visit www.superlawyers.com