It may sound like bragging, but State Bar Director Andrew Tolchin announced in a Facebook discussion group for attorneys that S. Roosticus Fischer from a local law firm received a nomination from “Lawyers of Distinction” for ranking in the Top 10 percent of all American attorneys. The twist? Shasharoosticus is a dog. Yes, a canine. Lawyers of Distinction, seemingly unaware of this crucial detail, simply required a $475 payment for a plaque to bestow this prestigious honor. This raises a critical question for anyone seeking the Best Lawyer In Texas: are these accolades genuine, or just clever marketing schemes?
This isn’t an isolated incident. The author himself was once lauded as “One of the five best family lawyers in the State of Texas.” Initially flattered, the shine quickly wore off upon learning from fellow El Paso attorney Ouisa Davis that she, and at least five other local attorneys, received the very same “exclusive” offer. When at least six of the purported “five best Texas Family Lawyers” reside in El Paso, it becomes clear that something is amiss. The $200 fee to solidify this dubious recognition was promptly declined.
Some organizations claim to utilize peer voting to determine the “best,” like “Super Lawyers,” which officially prohibits campaigning. However, the reality can be quite different. Attorney Dale Felton from Navasota recounts a rumor of one lawyer spending a staggering $45,000 for a prominent feature in their advertisement. Local newspapers and magazines also participate in this “best of” frenzy, soliciting votes for local attorneys in a process eerily similar to rating local restaurants. The ensuing scramble among lawyers to garner votes often becomes unseemly.
The pressure to participate in these schemes can even come from within law firms. Austin attorney Rekha Akella shared an experience where her former firm urged all attorneys to create accounts and vote for specific partners for awards. This included encouraging votes in locations where they didn’t even reside, falsely inflating local partner nominations as “Best Attorney.”
While attorneys may be aware of the questionable nature of these awards, the general public often remains completely unaware, taking these accolades at face value. It’s almost comical to witness attorneys posting on social media, proclaiming themselves “humbled” by being named a top attorney in Texas, followed by a chorus of congratulatory comments from friends. However, the humor quickly fades, replaced by a sense of disillusionment regarding the legal industry’s self-promotion tactics.
Avvo.com, while not flawless, appears to employ a more robust methodology, incorporating client and peer reviews, publications, honors, and experience into their ratings. However, even Avvo isn’t immune to commercial influence; the “Pro” designation indicates attorneys who pay for premium placement. Despite this, the author admits to using Avvo when seeking legal counsel in unfamiliar areas, appreciating its comparative transparency.
Houston appellate attorney Scott Rothenberg wryly observes, “Attorneys seem to like the services which rate them the highest.” This statement hints at a self-serving cycle where validation, even if manufactured, is readily embraced. The author humorously concedes his own bias, acknowledging the inherent conflict in critiquing these systems while also benefiting from positive ratings.
Is there a genuine solution to this issue of misleading “best lawyer” lists? Attorney Dale Felton offers a tongue-in-cheek anecdote: a group of Houston lawyers, after a few drinks, jokingly declared each other “Voted One of Houston’s Top Lawyers” and then incorporated this farcical accolade into their letterheads and websites.
On a more constructive note, Fort Worth attorney Stephen Tatum, chairman of the State Bar of Texas Attorney Advertising Committee, has committed to investigating these potentially deceptive practices within the legal awards industry.
This critical examination may not endear the author or his dog to the legal awards industry, potentially impacting their respective ratings. However, as owners of a pistachio orchard outside of El Paso, they find solace in the fact that even with thousands of trees, they are likely dealing with fewer “nuts” than the self-congratulatory world of questionable legal accolades. For those seeking the best lawyer in Texas, a healthy dose of skepticism and independent research beyond flashy awards is strongly advised.
