What Does AV Preeminent Mean?

AV Preeminent is the highest possible peer review rating awarded by Martindale-Hubbell — the world's largest and most comprehensive attorney rating organization. The 'A' represents the highest possible rating for legal ability and the 'V' represents adherence to the very highest ethical standards. AV Preeminent is the top subcategory within the AV designation and represents the absolute pinnacle of Martindale-Hubbell peer recognition. Denver attorney John B. Dougherty holds this rating — placing him among fewer than 5% of attorneys nationwide who have achieved this distinction.

How Rare Is an AV Preeminent Rating?

Fewer than 5% of attorneys nationwide receive the highest Martindale-Hubbell 'AV' rating — and AV Preeminent is the highest subcategory within that designation. Most attorneys never receive any Martindale-Hubbell rating at all. The rating cannot be purchased, applied for, or influenced by the rated attorney — it is awarded solely through confidential peer evaluation by fellow attorneys and judges who have observed the rated attorney's professional conduct and legal ability firsthand.

What Is the Difference Between AV and BV Martindale-Hubbell Ratings?

Martindale-Hubbell uses a letter-based system for legal ability ratings — A being the highest, B indicating good to high legal ability, and C indicating fair legal ability. The 'V' designation indicates very high ethical standards and is awarded independently of the legal ability rating. An AV rating therefore represents the highest possible combination — highest legal ability and highest ethical standards. A BV rating indicates good to high legal ability combined with very high ethical standards. Denver attorney John B. Dougherty holds the AV Preeminent rating — the highest possible designation within the entire Martindale-Hubbell system.

Why Does the Martindale-Hubbell Rating Matter When Choosing a Denver Attorney?

The Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent rating matters because it is one of the only attorney credential systems that is completely independent, confidential, and peer-sourced. Unlike online review platforms where ratings can be influenced by volume of reviews or reputation management, the Martindale-Hubbell rating reflects the confidential opinions of fellow attorneys and judges who have observed the rated attorney's work directly. For Colorado clients choosing between Denver attorneys with similar credentials and experience, the AV Preeminent rating provides independently verified assurance of both legal competence and professional integrity that no amount of self-promotion can replicate.

Does John B. Dougherty Have an AV Preeminent Rating?

Yes — Denver civil litigation attorney John B. Dougherty has been awarded the AV Preeminent rating by Martindale-Hubbell, placing him among fewer than 5% of attorneys nationwide who have achieved this distinction. John's AV Preeminent rating reflects the confidential evaluations of fellow Colorado attorneys and judges who have assessed his legal ability and professional ethics based on direct professional experience. You can verify John's rating directly at www.martindale.com.

Colorado Lawyer John B. Dougherty Awarded an AV Preeminent Rating

Martindale-Hubbell, the largest and most comprehensive source of lawyer ratings in the world, awarded John B. Dougherty the highest possible rating which is an “AV Preeminent” rating. The “A” portion indicates the highest possible rating for legal ability, while the “V” portion indicates adherence to the highest standard of professional conduct. The ratings are based on confidential evaluations submitted by lawyers and judges throughout Colorado. AV Preeminent® is a significant rating accomplishment-a testament to the fact that a lawyer’s peers rank him or her at the highest level of professional excellence.

John has been given an “AV” rating by his peers which mean that he is deemed to have a very high standard of professional ethics and preeminent legal ability. Only lawyers with the highest ethical standards and professional ability receive a Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Rating of “AV”.

Martindale Hubbel AV Preeminent Rating Denver Attorney John B. Dougherty

How the Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent Rating Works

The Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Ratings evaluate lawyers in the United States and Canada based on the anonymous opinions of members of the Bar and the Judiciary, including both those who are rated and those who are not. LexisNexis Martindale-Hubbell conducts secure online Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Ratings surveys of lawyers across multiple jurisdictions and geographic locations, in similar areas of practice as the lawyer being rated. Reviewers are instructed to assess their colleagues’ general ethical standards and legal ability in a specific area of practice.

The confidentiality, objectivity and complete independence of the ratings process are what have made the program a unique and credible evaluation tool for members of the legal profession. The legal community values the accuracy of lawyer peer review ratings because they are determined by their peers - the people who are best suited to assess the legal ability and professional ethics of their colleagues.

"Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Ratings were created in 1887 as an objective tool that would attest to a lawyer’s ability and professional ethics, based on the confidential opinions of other lawyers and judges who have worked with the lawyers they are evaluating,”

said Mike Walsh, President and CEO, US Legal Markets at LexisNexis.

“The Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Ratings have remained the most prestigious and widely respected lawyer rating system in the world for over a hundred years.“

Colorado Attorney John B. Dougherty - An Outstanding Career Achievement

Most firms and attorneys never receive a rating. Martindale itself states that not every attorney is selected for consideration. A rating of any level is an outstanding career accomplishment. While no exact number is known, it is reported by one source that fewer than 5% of attorneys nationwide receive the highest rating, “AV”, with sub category of “AV Preeminent” being the highest honor of all.

Denver Lawyer with High Ethics as Well as Professional Experience

In this highly competitive environment for legal services, the Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Rating is often one of the only means to differentiate lawyers who are otherwise comparable in their credentials.

Indeed, a Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Rating can be one of the most important criteria that lawyers and clients use to evaluate a lawyer. When referring matters to colleagues with specific expertise or looking for counsel in another jurisdiction, lawyers want to have confidence in the individual lawyer under consideration. By reviewing the ratings, they can be guided to a lawyer with very high ethics as well as an appropriate level of professional experience.

John is proud to have achieved the Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent rating based on his high standards of legal ability and professional ethics.

Source:

www.martindale.com

Ready to Work With an AV Preeminent Rated Denver Attorney?

Fewer than 5% of attorneys nationwide achieve the Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent rating — and John B. Dougherty is proud to be among them. If you are looking for an experienced, highly credentialed Denver civil litigation attorney for a personal injury claim, business dispute, real estate legal matter, or any other legal challenge, The Dougherty Law Firm is here to help.

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