What the AV Rating Means

Martindale-Hubbell has been evaluating attorneys since 1887, making it one of the oldest and most widely recognized lawyer rating systems in the world. The process is straightforward: lawyers and judges who are familiar with an attorney’s work provide confidential reviews of that attorney’s legal ability and professional ethics. Reviewers are selected from practitioners in similar practice areas and jurisdictions, so the evaluations come from people who understand the work.

The AV rating is the highest available. The “A” signifies the top tier of legal ability, and the “V” confirms that the attorney meets the profession’s highest ethical standards. Not every attorney receives a rating at all—the initial review typically does not occur until at least three years after an attorney is admitted to the Bar, and the AV designation is reserved for those whose peers consider them among the best in their field.

Why It Matters to You

When you are looking for an attorney, credentials and experience are important—but so is what other lawyers and judges think of the person you are about to trust with your case. The Martindale-Hubbell rating provides that independent perspective. It is not based on advertising or self-promotion; it is based on the confidential opinions of legal professionals who have observed an attorney’s work up close.

In-house counsel, other attorneys, and individuals seeking legal representation regularly rely on these ratings when selecting outside counsel or making referrals. The independence and confidentiality of the review process are what give the rating its credibility.

We are honored by this recognition from our peers. It reflects a commitment we renew with every client: to deliver skilled, ethical legal representation that earns the trust placed in us.