Looking through a local weekly community newspaper today, I came across several large Maine law firms listing some of their partners as having been ranked “among the best attorneys in the nation” by Chambers & Partners, which is apparently an independent British legal research firm.
I find it curious that the vast majority of the lawyers listed are all from the largest 10 or so law firms in the state. In addition, it appears that every state in the nation has a bunch of lawyers that are “among the best attorneys in the nation.”
I’ve been practicing law for 25 years and know a fair number of Maine lawyers — especially those in the Portland area. Sure, I’ve never practiced with any of the big firms. But still, Maine has a relatively small bar. If you don’t know of a particular lawyer, you’ve often heard of the person or know someone who has.
It’s amazing how many of these lawyers that are “among the best attorneys in the nation” that I’ve never heard of before.
Do I think that Maine doesn’t have any fine and gifted lawyers? Of course not. Do I think that Chamber & Partners doesn’t scrupulously determine the best of the best for its rankings of global law firms? No, not at all.
But according to the Chambers & Partners website, Maine has nearly 75 lawyers that appear to be “among the best attorneys in the nation.” Do I believe that?
Not for a minute.
For a profession that's supposed to be filled with people who can think clearly and logically to navigate all sorts of complicated issues, there sure is a lot of murky thinking when it comes to elitism among lawyers, eh?
Posted by: theomorph | June 17, 2005 at 03:38 PM