In addition to experience, the attorney you hire should be knowledgeable and have an AV Preeminent Rating from Martindale-Hubbell. While you may have heard of this prestigious rating, you probably do not know about the strict criteria recipients must meet.

Martindale-Hubbell uses three ratings to help clients understand the skill and experience of an attorney. AV is the highest level of the rating system. Only lawyers who reach the highest level of professional excellence by their peers receive this award. Additionally, in order to be AV-rated, an attorney must have high ethical standards.

When rating attorneys, Martindale-Hubbell surveys lawyers across multiple jurisdictions and asks them to rate their peers from one to five based on the following areas:

• Legal Knowledge
• Analytical Capabilities
• Judgment
• Communication Ability
• Legal Experience

So what does it mean to receive an AV Preeminent Rating from Martindale-Hubbell? It means that an attorney has proven he or she is outstanding in his or her field. As a client, you have assurance and peace of mind when you choose lawyer with this rating. You know that you are in good hands and that your best interests will always be the top priority of your attorney. That is important when you or a loved one suffers injury through the negligent or reckless actions of someone else and you need legal guidance to pursue fair compensation for your damages.