Choosing a lawyer is a big decision—especially when the matter involves your family, your assets, or your future. You want someone experienced, ethical, and respected in their field.
That’s where Super Lawyers comes in.
I recently learned that I was selected to the Northern California Super Lawyers list for 2026, marking my second year in a row receiving this recognition. Each year, no more than 5% of attorneys in Northern California receive the Super Lawyers distinction.
Before being named a Super Lawyer, I was recognized as a Rising Star from 2018–2024.
So what does this recognition actually mean for you as a client?
A Trusted, Independent Rating — Not a Popularity Contest
Super Lawyers is designed as a consumer resource, not a marketing award. Attorneys cannot nominate themselves, cannot campaign for votes, and cannot buy their way onto the list.
Selection is based on peer recognition from other attorneys, independent research into professional experience and achievements, and review of ethics, leadership, and community involvement.
The goal is simple: to help consumers identify attorneys who are widely respected by their peers and trusted by their clients.
How Attorneys Are Selected (In Plain English)
Each year, Super Lawyers follows a careful, multi-step process:
• Attorneys nominate lawyers they have personally seen in action
• Independent research evaluates professional accomplishments, experience, and service
• Attorneys are reviewed by peers in the same practice area
• Final selections compare lawyers within similar firm sizes to ensure fairness
At the end of the process, only a small percentage are selected—resulting in no more than 5% of attorneys in Northern California earning the Super Lawyers designation each year.
Why You Can Trust the Process
The Super Lawyers selection process is not only thorough—it is formally recognized.
In April 2013, the selection methodology received a patent from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (U.S. Pat. No. 8,412,564), underscoring its credibility as an independent, third-party rating system.
The process has also been reviewed in court. A court-appointed Special Master described it as:
“a comprehensive, good-faith and detailed attempt to produce a list of lawyers who meet ethical standards and have demonstrated achievement in their field.”
The review further confirmed that:
• Lawyers cannot buy their way onto the list
• No advertising purchase is required for selection
• There is no quid pro quo involved
What This Means for You
For clients, this recognition offers reassurance—not perfection, but perspective.
It means your attorney is respected by other legal professionals, has been independently evaluated over time, and demonstrates consistency, ethics, and experience.
In estate planning, trust administration, and probate—where decisions have long-term impact—those qualities matter.
Thank You for Your Trust
Being selected to the Super Lawyers list in 2026 for the second year in a row, following recognition as a Rising Star from 2018–2024, is an honor I take seriously. I view these recognitions as a reflection of long-term commitment to thoughtful, careful, and compassionate legal work.
Thank you to my clients and community for the trust you place in me—it is truly appreciated.
