Insight

Introducing Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch Honorees

Meet the next wave of top legal talent.

Ones to Watch
Best Lawyers

Best Lawyers

August 19, 2020 01:00 PM

What does the future of the legal industry look like? With the inaugural release of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch, our newest ranking for attorneys early in their careers, we'd say it's looking diverse, passionate, multi-talented, and multi-dimensional.

We reached out to the newest class of Best Lawyer honorees to find out more about what makes this generation of lawyers so unique.

What Made You Become a Lawyer?

From serving in the armed forces to surviving catastrophic injury, each one of these top-level associates developed a passion for law through their own unique journey.



But Who Are They Really?

Although achieving the respect and recognition of your peers often demands long hours and dedication to the craft, Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch attorneys are anything but one-dimensional. We invited the "Ones to Watch" to share their hidden talents, opinions, and sandwich-litigation skills.

Do you know a lawyer making waves in the legal industry? Nominate them for consideration in our next edition.

Related Articles

How Best Lawyers Connects You With Trusted Legal Counsel


by Jennifer Verta

Discover how Best Lawyers simplifies the attorney search process.

A focused woman with dark hair wearing a green top and beige blazer, working on a tablet in a dimly

Discover The Best Lawyers in Spain 2025 Edition


by Jennifer Verta

Highlighting Spain’s leading legal professionals and rising talents.

Flags of Spain, representing Best Lawyers country

Best Lawyers Through the Ages: Our Past. Our Today. Our Future.


by Best Lawyers

With over 168,000 recognized legal professionals across 150 practice areas in 76 countries, Best Lawyers remains the original trusted source for legal awards.

Skyscrapers against evening sky with water

Unveiling the 2025 Best Lawyers Editions in Brazil, Mexico, Portugal and South Africa


by Jennifer Verta

Best Lawyers celebrates the finest in law, reaffirming its commitment to the global legal community.

Flags of Brazil, Mexico, Portugal and South Africa, representing Best Lawyers countries

Presenting the 2025 Best Lawyers Editions in Chile, Colombia, Peru and Puerto Rico


by Jennifer Verta

Celebrating top legal professionals in South America and the Caribbean.

Flags of Puerto Rico, Chile, Colombia, and Peru, representing countries featured in the Best Lawyers

When Can Ones to Watch Lawyers Be Nominated for Best Lawyers?


by Elizabeth Petit

Transitioning from Best Lawyers: Ones To Watch to Best Lawyers recognition.

Arrow symbolizing Ones to Watch Lawyers transitioning to Best Lawyers

2025 Best Lawyers Awards Announced: Honoring Outstanding Legal Professionals Across the U.S.


by Jennifer Verta

Introducing the 31st edition of The Best Lawyers in America and the fifth edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America.

Digital map of the United States illuminated by numerous bright lights.

The Best Lawyers in Mexico Celebrates a Milestone Year


by Best Lawyers

Best Lawyers is excited to announce the 15th edition of The Best Lawyers in Mexico™ and the second edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in Mexico™ for 2024.

Sky view of Mexico city scape

Best Lawyers Expands 2024 Brazilian Awards


by Best Lawyers

Best Lawyers is honored to announce the 14th edition of The Best Lawyers in Brazil™ and the first edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in Brazil™.

Image of Brazil city and water from sky

Trailblazing Titans of the Industry: Announcing the 4th Edition Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America


by Best Lawyers

Best Lawyers honor and celebrate these talented, innovative newer lawyers who are trailblazing their way to victories in courtrooms across the country.

Connected web above map of the U.S.

All Eyes to the Ones on the Rise


by Rebecca Blackwell

Our 2023 honorees recognized in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch™ in America tell us more about how their path to law formed, what lead them to their practice areas and how they keep steadfast in their passion to serve others.

Person walking between glass walls towards window

Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America for 2023


by Best Lawyers

The third edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America™ highlights the legal talent of lawyers who have been in practice less than 10 years.

Three arrows made of lines and dots on blue background

Announcing The Best Lawyers in The United Kingdom™ 2023


by Best Lawyers

The results include an elite field of top lawyers and firms from the United Kingdom.

Announcing The Best Lawyers in The United Kingdom™ 2023

Announcing The Best Lawyers in Australia™ 2023


by Best Lawyers

The results include an elite field of top lawyers and firms from Australia.

Announcing The Best Lawyers in Australia™ 2023

United in Growth: Introducing Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in the United Kingdom


by Best Lawyers

Best Lawyers, the most trusted legal referral guide, is committed to showcasing the ever-growing legal talent around the world. This year we are excited to launch the prestigious Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch listed in the United Kingdom.

Ballot box in front of the United Kingdom flag

The Best Lawyers in Northern California


by Best Lawyers

Our 2022 Best Lawyers in Northern California publication features top-ranked legal talent in Fresno, Oakland, Sacramento, San Francisco, San Jose and Santa Rosa.

Title image of The Best Lawyers in Northern California publication

Trending Articles

2026 Best Lawyers Awards: Recognizing Legal Talent Across the United States


by Jamilla Tabbara

The 2026 editions highlight the top 5% of U.S. attorneys, showcase emerging practice areas and reveal trends shaping the nation’s legal profession.

Map of the United States represented in The Best Lawyers in America 2026 awards

Gun Rights for Convicted Felons? The DOJ Says It's Time.


by Bryan Driscoll

It's more than an administrative reopening of a long-dormant issue; it's a test of how the law reconciles the right to bear arms with protecting the public.

Firearms application behind jail bars

2026 Best Lawyers Awards in Canada: Marking 20 Years of Excellence


by Jamilla Tabbara

Honoring Canada’s most respected lawyers and spotlighting the next generation shaping the future of law.

Shining Canadian map marking the 2026 Best Lawyers awards coverage

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

Best Lawyers 2026: Discover the Honorees in Brazil, Mexico, Portugal, South Africa and Spain


by Jamilla Tabbara

A growing international network of recognized legal professionals.

Map highlighting the 2026 Best Lawyers honorees across Brazil, Mexico, Portugal, South Africa and Sp

How to Sue for Defamation: Costs, Process and What to Expect


by Bryan Driscoll

Learn the legal standards, costs and steps involved when you sue for defamation, including the difference between libel and slander.

Group of people holding papers with speech bubbles above them

Build Your Legal Practice with Effective Online Networking


by Jamilla Tabbara

How thoughtful online networking supports sustained legal practice growth.

Abstract web of connected figures symbolizing online networking among legal professionals

Algorithmic Exclusion


by Bryan Driscoll

The Workday lawsuit and the future of AI in hiring.

Workday Lawsuit and the Future of AI in Hiring headline

Blogging for Law Firms: Turning Content into Client Connections


by Jamilla Tabbara

How law firms use blogs to earn trust and win clients.

Lawyer typing blog content on laptop in office

Reddit’s Lawsuit Could Change How Much AI Knows About You


by Justin Smulison

Big AI is battling for its future—your data’s at stake.

Reddit Anthropic Lawsuit headline

How to Choose a Good Lawyer: Tips, Traits and Questions to Ask


by Laurie Villanueva

A Practical Guide for Your First-Time Hiring a Lawyer

Three professional lawyers walking together and discussing work

The 2026 Best Lawyers Awards in Chile, Colombia and Puerto Rico


by Jamilla Tabbara

The region’s most highly regarded lawyers.

Map highlighting Chile, Colombia and Puerto Rico for the 2026 Best Lawyers Awards

Common-Law Marriage in Indiana: Are You Legally Protected?


by Laurie Villanueva

Understanding cohabitation rights and common-law marriage recognition in Indiana.

Married Indiana couple in their home

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

AI Tools for Lawyers: How Smithy AI Solves Key Challenges


by Jamilla Tabbara

Understand the features and benefits within the Best Lawyers Digital Marketing Platform.

Legal professional editing profile content with Smithy AI

Alimony Explained: Who Qualifies, How It Works and What to Expect


by Bryan Driscoll

A practical guide to understanding alimony, from eligibility to enforcement, for anyone navigating divorce

two figures standing on stacks of coins