You’ve probably seen the button on the footer of my website pages. I am listed as a Super Lawyer, but you may be wondering what does that mean? Super Lawyers is a rating service of lawyers that helps clients find the lawyer best suited to represent them. Lawyers selected to be on Super Lawyers’ list have attained a high-degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. The patented selection process includes independent research, peer nominations and peer evaluations.
Here’s how it works:
Super Lawyers selects attorneys using a rigorous, multiphase rating process. Peer nominations and evaluations are combined with third party research. Each candidate is evaluated on 12 indicators of peer recognition and professional achievement. Selections are made on an annual, state-by-state basis. The objective is to create a credible, comprehensive and diverse listing of outstanding attorneys that can be used as a resource for attorneys and consumers searching for legal counsel. Since Super Lawyers is intended to be used as an aid in selecting a lawyer, we limit the lawyer ratings to those who can be hired and retained by the public, i.e., lawyers in private practice and Legal Aid attorneys.The Super Lawyers selection process involves three basic steps: creation of the candidate pool; evaluation of candidates by the research department; and peer evaluation by practice area.
How important is this? You are the best judge of that. Many Bellingham accident victims want to find the most experienced, top attorney serving Whatcom County to guide them through the complex and arduous insurance claim process. Especially because clients are also suffering from their own injuries and reeling from losses and trauma from their accident, they want to streamline the process of finding the right help. And certainly help is in order – studies show that hiring a personal injury attorney after a car crash brings a much higher payout than if victims were try to go it alone. Ratings services like Super Lawyer and Avvo can help weed out the lawyers who don’t have experience or show results, so you don’t have to waste your time.
I recorded a video on how to find a good attorney. The key is to look for an attorney who has a proven track record of taking cases to court and winning high settlements – especially $1 Million insurance settlements. One of the things you should look for in hiring an attorney is whether or not the firm is listed on Avvo, another rating agency. The higher the rating there, the better they are regarded, along the same sorts of criteria as Super Lawyers. I have the highest rating a lawyer can have on Avvo and Super Lawyers.
If you’ve been in a car accident in Bellingham or Whatcom County, don’t hesitate to call me. Our downtown Bellingham law firm is ready to help you win a fast, fair and full settlement after your devastating accident. Contact us today for a free consultation about your case.