Being chosen by Super Lawyers means more than having won a few cases. In fact, it is one of the most comprehensive and dynamic ways in which an attorney can be recognized for their exemplary legal assistance for their clients. The selection process is painstakingly thorough, starting with a unique combination of nominations, evaluations and research from a neutral third party.
The candidates are either accepted through formal nomination of fellow lawyers, informal nominations or are selected by a research party that pools together lawyers who have recently been recognized or honored with high-quality awards and certifications. The research party considers more than 150 different databases and sources to create their candidate pool.
From there, each candidate is taken from the pool to be individually evaluated on twelve separate factors, including such things as verdicts, settlements, experience, professional activity and employment background among others. This process is a seven month long ordeal.
After the evaluation, candidates are put together with peers in similar practice areas and then placed in a "blue ribbon review." In this, candidates who have received the highest point totals so far in the process are asked to serve on a panel to rate the rest of the candidates on a one to ten scale.
Candidates are then categorized into groups depending on their firm-size - the ones with the highest points for each separate group are the ones selected. After selection and before publication, candidates are checked to ensure that there is no disciplinary, criminal proceedings or any other adverse matters. All lawyers are contacted to ensure accuracy of all provided information and then the list is published!
Due to the stringent guidelines and exhaustive process, only a meager 5% of all lawyers are able to make the list in the state, and just because a lawyer has been named one year does not guarantee that they will be named the next. For this reason, being selected for inclusion in 2011 Colorado Super Lawyers is often considered one of the best ways to distinguish the truly remarkable lawyers within their areas of practice.