Insight

Our Tips on Top Lawyer Lists

What are legal rankings, and how can you get your name in the top spot?

A Guide to Lawyer Rankings
PR

Pat Rafferty

July 19, 2018 12:32 PM

Ubiquitous is the only word to describe the various “top lawyer” and law firm listings these days. What was once an occasional ranking has become a year-round onslaught of surveys and nomination opportunities. Can anyone blame attorneys and law firm marketing directors who say they are overwhelmed by all these lawyer and law firm recognitions?

It might be tempting to simply boycott the whole system, but that’s not advisable because many potential clients put some stock in “best” lists. A lawyer’s or a law firm’s presence on such a list can help validate a referral and provide confirmation that the lawyer or law firm is highly regarded in the legal community.

Lists have become part of the legal landscape and are used as a point of differentiation. Whether the clients you seek are the general counsel of a major company or an individual seeking a divorce lawyer, having a “best lawyer” stamp can help legal consumers narrow the list of potential contenders or validate a selection they already have made.

Don’t waste time seeking out a spot on every list. It’s essential to prioritize and pursue only those opportunities that make sense for your firm and its clientele.

Consider these tips to help improve your chance at being selected to credible “top lawyer” lists and rankings:

Identify Lists with a True Methodology for Selection

There are many factors involved:

  • Nominations
  • Participation and voting
  • Submission of information
  • Feedback from peers
  • Client reviews
  • Verdict amounts
  • Independent research
  • Vetting by a panel of experts

Avoid lists that charge a fee to be included. If you can pay to be on it, it’s not credible and not worth your time and effort.

Understand the Criteria for Consideration

Learn what it takes to earn selection:

  • Is it based on number of votes?
  • Is it based solely on peer review?
  • Is client feedback important?
  • Do you need a specific verdict amount?
  • Is there a submission form or template?
  • Are there certain benchmarks required?
  • What are the deadlines?

Identifying the criteria will enable you to better meet the requirements.

Get to Know the Researchers and Editors

Reputable lawyer lists will be compiled by a team of researchers and editors. Make sure you’re aware of:

  • Their deadlines
  • Their schedules
  • How they prefer to receive information
  • The required format for submissions

Lawyer and law firm rankings are here to stay. Readers seem to love them, lawyers use them to market their practices, and publications make money from them. Regardless of the frustrations, rankings can make a client feel reassured about their choice of lawyer. Attorneys view the “best of” lists as a point of differentiation, and some firms use honors and recognitions to demonstrate their strengths in key practice areas. The lists might seem overwhelming, but when used judiciously and sought out strategically, they can provide an important boost to a lawyer’s or a firm’s overall marketing efforts.

--------------------

With 28 years of legal marketing experience, Pat Rafferty assists lawyers and law firms in heightening awareness and building a positive professional image. As the Director of Marketing & Advertising at Androvett, Pat is responsible for planning and implementing targeted marketing strategies for clients through a variety of channels. Pat has been named among the Top 100 Legal Consultants nationally by Lawdragon and is a member of the Advertising Review Committee for the State Bar of Texas, and regularly advises clients on the do’s and don’ts related to solicitation communications. You can contact Pat at pat@androvett.com.

Related Articles

Hanging Your Own Shingle? Put Your Best Foot Forward on Day One


by Scott Parks

How to market yourself to get new clients and keep your old ones after starting a new firm.

Tips for Starting Your Own Firm

Law Firm Marketing: 5 Strategic Steps to Attract More Clients


by Jamilla Tabbara

A practical framework for marketing a law firm with purpose.

Light bulb above a chalkboard illustrating strategic ideas

Why Mobile Optimization for Legal Websites Is Essential


by Jamilla Tabbara

Mobile optimization helps law firms build credibility, connect with clients and improve digital marketing.

A group of mobile devices with websites perfectly optimized for smaller screens.

Best Lawyers Legal Publications: Elevating Your Law Firm Through Targeted Print Marketing


by Jamilla Tabbara

Legal publications help law firms leverage print marketing to build credibility, connect with clients and stand out.

Images of Best Lawyers Print Publications

Best Lawyers: The Ultimate Legal Directory Option


by Jamilla Tabbara

How the right legal directory option can drive trust and growth.

Best Lawyers logo surrounded by icons representing features and tools, symbolizing the benefits of B

The Importance of Content Marketing for Law Firms and Strategies for Success


by Jennifer Verta

Strengthen client relationships, boost visibility and drive growth with effective content marketing tailored for law firms.

Illustration of a central red figure surrounded by gray figures in a circular network

Why Is SEO Important for Your Law Firm's Website?


by Jennifer Verta

Key law firm SEO strategies to grow your practice and build credibility online.

Person working on a laptop with virtual SEO icons, including search targets and analytics symbols

Introduction to Demand Generation for Law Firms


by Jennifer Verta

Learn the essentials of demand gen for law firms and how these strategies can drive client acquisition, retention, and long-term success.

Illustration of a hand holding a magnet, attracting icons representing individuals towards a central

How Does Domain Authority Impact the Digital Marketing Success of Law Firms?


by Jennifer Verta

Understand why domain authority is crucial for your law firm's SEO and how to effectively improve it.

Illustration of a laptop displaying a gauge-like icon for measuring success, with a background of da

Preparations Begin for the 10th Social Law Firm Index by Best Lawyers and Good2bSocial


by Best Lawyers

Best Lawyers and Good2bSocial will collaborate on the most comprehensive SLFI report yet.

Best Lawyers and G2B Social logos with connecting ampersand on a dark, abstract grid background

How Does Your Firm Measure Up?


by Best Lawyers

BL Intelligence provides your firm with valuable industry data.

Best Lawyers 27th Edition Stats

David Ackert's Top Advice on Social Media and Client Prospecting


by Best Lawyers

The president of Ackert Inc. offers his insights on business development to Best Lawyers following the 2019 Legal Marketing Association Annual Conference.

Social Media Tips for Law Firms

Highlights From the 2019 LMA Annual Conference


by Best Lawyers

Did you make it to LMA 2019? Read the Best Lawyers recap of this year's biggest takeaways.

2019 LMA Conference Recap

Crafting a Client-Attracting Bio: Tips You Can Use


by Mark Annick

Put your most relevant information first. Make it sound like you.

What Should A Lawyer's Bio Do?

How to Handle a PR Crisis


by Mike Androvett & Mark Annick

Planning your strategy in advance, and having a team ready to handle a disaster, can help you tackle a problem before it starts.

How Law Firms Should Handle a PR Crisis

The Publisher Is You: How to Tell Your Story Effectively


by Kit Frieden

Control the narrative and bring attention to your work and expertise with these publishing tips.

Self-Publishing in the Legal Industry

Trending Articles

Introducing the 2026 Best Lawyers Awards in Australia, Japan, New Zealand and Singapore


by Jennifer Verta

This year’s awards reflect the strength of the Best Lawyers network and its role in elevating legal talent worldwide.

2026 Best Lawyers Awards in Australia, Japan, New Zealand and Singapore

Revealing the 2026 Best Lawyers Awards in Germany, France, Switzerland and Austria


by Jamilla Tabbara

These honors underscore the reach of the Best Lawyers network and its focus on top legal talent.

map of Germany, France, Switzerland and Austria

Effective Communication: A Conversation with Jefferson Fisher


by Jamilla Tabbara

The power of effective communication beyond the law.

 Image of Jefferson Fisher and Phillip Greer engaged in a conversation about effective communication

The 2025 Legal Outlook Survey Results Are In


by Jennifer Verta

Discover what Best Lawyers honorees see ahead for the legal industry.

Person standing at a crossroads with multiple intersecting paths and a signpost.

The Best Lawyers Network: Global Recognition with Long-term Value


by Jamilla Tabbara

Learn how Best Lawyers' peer-review process helps recognized lawyers attract more clients and referral opportunities.

Lawyers networking

Jefferson Fisher: The Secrets to Influential Legal Marketing


by Jennifer Verta

How lawyers can apply Jefferson Fisher’s communication and marketing strategies to build trust, attract clients and grow their practice.

Portrait of Jefferson Fisher a legal marketing expert

Is Your Law Firm’s Website Driving Clients Away?


by Jamilla Tabbara

Identify key website issues that may be affecting client engagement and retention.

Phone displaying 'This site cannot be reached' message

A Guide to Workers' Compensation Law for 2025 and Beyond


by Bryan Driscoll

A woman with a laptop screen reflected in her glasses

Medical Malpractice Reform Trends in Texas, Utah, Georgia and SC


by Bryan Driscoll

A fresh wave of medical malpractice reform is reshaping the law.

Medical Malpractice Reform Trends hed

Why Jack Dorsey and Elon Musk Want to 'Delete All IP Law'


by Bryan Driscoll

This Isn’t Just a Debate Over How to Pay Creators. It’s a Direct Challenge to Legal Infrastructure.

Elon Musk and Jack Dorsey standing together Infront of the X logo

Best Lawyers Launches CMO Advisory Board


by Jamilla Tabbara

Strategic counsel from legal marketing’s most experienced voices.

Group photo of Best Lawyers CMO Advisory Board members

Changes in California Employment Law for 2025


by Laurie Villanueva

What employers need to know to ensure compliance in the coming year and beyond

A pair of hands holding a checklist featuring a generic profile picture and the state of California

Common Law Firm Landing Page Problems to Address


by Jamilla Tabbara

Identify key issues on law firm landing pages to improve client engagement and conversion.

Laptop showing law firm landing page analytics

New Employment Law Recognizes Extraordinary Stress Is Everyday Reality for NY Lawyers


by Bryan Driscoll

A stressed woman has her head resting on her hands above a laptop

Best Lawyers Introduces Smithy AI


by Jamilla Tabbara

Transforming legal content creation for attorneys and firms.

Start using Smithy AI, a content tool by Best Lawyers

How to Create High-Converting Landing Pages for Your Law Firm


by Jamilla Tabbara

Learn how to create high-converting law firm landing pages that drive client engagement and lead generation.

Laptop screen displaying website tools to improve client conversion rates