Martindale-Hubbell’s exclusive Peer Review Lawyer Rating System evaluates
attorneys and law firms with a thorough, confidential and independent peer
review process. For decades, this well-known rating system has been a popular
and reliable source for evaluation of attorneys by buyers of legal services and
those making referrals. The
Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Ratings attest to a lawyer’s legal ability and
professional ethics, and reflect the confidential opinions of fellow lawyers and
members of the judiciary.
There are
two components to Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Ratings:
1.
General Ethics Standard Rating. This denotes adherence to
professional standards of conduct and ethics, reliability, diligence and other
criteria relevant to the discharge of professional responsibilities.
The highest rating is a “V” for “Very High.”
2.
Legal Ability Rating. This rates the standard of professional
ability in the area where the lawyer practices, the lawyer’s expertise, and
other professional qualifications.
Legal Ability Ratings are “C”-Good to High; “B”-High to Very High; and “A”-Very
High to Preeminent.
When a
lawyer or firm has both a General Ethics Rating and a Legal Ability Rating, the
lawyer or firm receives a “CV”, “BV” or “AV” Rating.
The Martindale Hubbell Peer Review Ratings reflect career development.
The three categories of ratings can be summarized as follows:
CV:
The CV rating is a good first rating and a definitive statement of
above-average ability and unquestionable ethics.
This is the maximum rating a lawyer can receive who has been admitted to
the bar from 3-4 years.
BV:
The BV rating is an excellent rating for a lawyer with more experience.
This is the maximum rating a lawyer can receive who has been admitted to
the bar from 5-9 years.
AV:
The AV rating is a testament to the fact that the lawyer’s peers rank him
or her at the highest level of professional excellence.
A lawyer must be admitted to the bar for 10 years or more to achieve an
AV rating.
To
establish a rating, Martindale-Hubbell sends confidential questionnaires to
other lawyers and judges within the same geographic location and/or practice
area as the attorney or law firm under evaluation.
Martindale-Hubbell staff also conducts personal interviews with members
of the bar who may be able to shed some light on the credentials of a specific
attorney or firm. Opinions are
solicited from peers with direct, professional knowledge of the lawyer or firm
under review. All of the review
materials are strictly confidential, enabling participants to provide completely
candid assessments of their colleagues.
_____________________________________________
CV, BV and AV are registered
certification marks of Reed Elsevier Properties, Inc., used in accordance with
the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies.
Martindale-Hubbell is the facilitator of a peer review rating process.
Ratings reflect the confidential opinions of members of the Bar and the
Judiciary. Martindale-Hubbell
Ratings fall into two categories—legal ability and general ethical standards.