Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Ratings™ (August 2009)
The Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Ratings™ is a complimentary service to the bar that enables buyers and referrers of legal services to benefit from candid and objective lawyer peer-to-peer feedback. Based on extensive research and evolving market demands, Martindale-Hubbell is building upon and transforming Ratings and the process through which Ratings are determined. Additionally, we have implemented process improvements and enhancements, including conferring ratings independent of a lawyer’s tenure.
General Ethical Standards Component: This denotes adherence to professional standards of conduct and ethics, reliability, diligence and other criteria relevant to their professional responsibilities. A lawyer must receive a General Ethical Standards Rating before his or her review can be calculated for Legal Ability within their Areas of Practice.
Legal Ability Component: This considers the standard of professional ability in the area where the lawyer practices, the lawyer’s expertise, and other professional qualifications within an Area of Practice. The NEW sub-set of questions within Legal Ability are:
- Legal Knowledge – Lawyer’s familiarity with the laws governing his/her primary area of practice
- Analytical Capabilities – Lawyer’s familiarity in analyzing legal issues and applying technical knowledge
- Judgment: Lawyer’s demonstration of the salient factors that drive the outcome of a given case or issue
- Communication Ability – Lawyer’s capability to communicate persuasively and credibly
- Legal Experience – Lawyer’s degree of experience in his/her primary area of practice
The changed Peer Review Rating is composed of a combination of the Ethical Rating and the Legal Ability rating.
