My Sincere Thanks

I would like to take a moment to thank the lawyers across North Carolina who participated in the peer review processes conducted by Business North Carolina magazine and Super Lawyers (a Thompson Reuters publication).  Thank you for your votes of confidence.  While there are many stellar lawyers who were not included in these lists, it is a great honor to be named along with the exceptional lawyers who were listed this year, including several of my colleagues at Ward and Smith. 

I was very honored to have been included among the Business North Carolina Legal Elite for 2013 in the "Young Guns" category (for lawyers under 40 from all practice areas).   For 2014, I was named in the "Business Law" category.  I was also named a "Super Lawyers Rising Star" by Super Lawyers in 2014, a distinction reserved for just 2.5% of eligible lawyers across the state.

What Does Inclusion in the "Legal Elite" Mean?

When Business North Carolina magazine surveyed more than 20,000 North Carolina attorneys, they asked only one question: "Whom would you rate among the current best in these categories?" Fewer than 3% of the lawyers in North Carolina were selected for the distinction.

What Does Inclusion in "Super Lawyers" Mean?

 

Super Lawyers' stated objective is to create a credible, comprehensive listing of outstanding attorneys. Super Lawyers compiles its list each year using peer nominations from lawyers around the state, peer evaluations, and independent, third-party research. Each candidate receiving sufficient nominations from across the state is evaluated on 12 criteria of professional achievement.

The selection process for the "Rising Stars" list is the same as the ordinary Super Lawyers selection process, with one exception: to be eligible for inclusion in Rising Stars, a candidate must be either 40 years old or younger or in practice for 10 years or less. The idea is that it is very difficult for young lawyers to develop a significant statewide reputation within the first ten years of practice, so a separate process is used for them. While up to 5 percent of the lawyers in the state are named to Super Lawyers, no more than 2.5 percent of eligible lawyers are named to the Rising Stars list.

To the lawyers who take the time to participate in this and other peer review surveys, I offer you my sincere thanks.  May 2014 bring you all the success and recognition you have earned!