The State's Legal Leaders
Named by Their Peers
» Top 1,170 Florida attorneys earn recommendations of their peers.
Whether you’re looking for a new restaurant to try, hiring a contractor for home remodeling or booking a resort for your next vacation, recommendations matter. Certainly, recommendations are even more valuable when choosing legal counsel for your business or personal affairs. And who better to ask for an opinion than lawyers themselves?
This fifth annual edition of Florida Trend’s Legal Elite names the top 1,170 attorneys who have earned the trust and endorsement of their peers — those who know their work best. When you’re looking to hire a lawyer, this report can be a useful tool.
This year’s Legal Elite is a prestigious roster representing 1.9% of the approximately 61,500 active Florida Bar members who practice in Florida.
How the Legal Elite Are Chosen
The Call for Votes
Balloting for Legal Elite began in October 2007 when FLORIDA TREND invited all in-state members of the Florida Bar to participate. Announcements in The Florida Bar Journal and The Florida Bar News publicized the ballot deadline and voting guidelines. Additionally, we mailed ballots to last year’s Legal Elite, the lawyers who participated in last year’s balloting, the top contact at law firms, local bar associations and Florida members of the Association of Corporate Counsel.
Lawyers were asked to name attorneys whom they hold in the highest regard — attorneys with whom they have worked or would recommend to others. In addition, they were asked to submit three names of the best up-and-coming attorneys in Florida. Attorneys were also asked to submit the names of three top government lawyers.
Selecting and Reviewing the Finalists
We received 18,051 votes, 11% more than last year. The ballots were processed, checked and tabulated by Bradenton-based Outsource America and Suncoast Opinion Surveys in St. Petersburg. Each lawyer was given a score based on the number of votes he or she received and whether the votes came from within their firm (one point) or outside their firm (three points). Only lawyers who are currently licensed and practicing in Florida were considered eligible.
The list of finalists was further examined using membership status and histories provided by the Florida Bar. A panel of 2007 Legal Elite lawyers representing different practice areas in cities across the state reviewed the selection process and the list of finalists.
Surveying the Winners
In March 2008, honorees were notified. Listing information on each honoree was obtained from the Florida Bar and a personal survey.
Privacy Policy
Voters' information and the names they submit on the Florida Legal Elite 2008 Official Ballot are confidential. We will NOT share voter information with third parties except for the purpose of data input, tabulation, verification, scoring and other services as may be necessary to complete the process of determining the attorneys selected for Florida Legal Elite 2008. Outside parties are not allowed to use personally identifiable information except for the purpose of providing these services. Voters may be contacted to clarify information on the ballot that they submitted. |
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