Awards and Professional Recognitions | Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp

If you or a family member is looking for representation after a serious accident, you may be feeling overwhelmed by all of the lawyer ads out there. From television to billboards, to online ads, it is clear that there are plenty of lawyers to choose from. But which personal injury lawyer is the best for you? One of the most effective ways to choose a top-notch attorney is by reviewing their professional accolades and awards. These recognitions and distinctions are bestowed by independent, third-party organizations and symbolize a level of excellence in the profession. Here is a sample of the accolades our attorneys have achieved:

Best Law Firm in America

Our firm is recognized as a Tier 1 “Best Law Firm” for general personal injury and railroad worker injury law by U.S. News & World Report (since 2010).  According to the U.S. News & World Report’s website, the “Best Law Firms” rankings are based on a rigorous evaluation process that includes client and lawyer evaluations, peer review from leading attorneys, and review of additional information provided by law firms as part of the formal submission process. Over 12,000 attorneys provided over 330,000 law firm assessments, and almost 7,000 clients provided close to 20,000 evaluations.

Best Lawyers in America

Attorneys with our firm are recognized in the Best Lawyers in America publication (since 2010). Best Lawyers is one the oldest and most respected peer-reviewed publications in the legal profession.

Virginia Super Lawyers

Attorneys with Shapiro & Appleton are featured in Law & Politics Magazine as “Super Lawyers” in Virginia and Beyond. The process of being listed as a Super Lawyer is intense and highly selective. The Editors at Law & Politics Magazine select attorneys using a rigorous, multi-phase rating process. Only 5 percent of active, practicing attorneys receive the “Super Lawyer” designation.  Each candidate is evaluated based on 12 indicators of peer recognition and professional achievement. Selections are made on an annual, state-by-state basis. The goal of the Super Lawyers designation is to create a comprehensive, trustworthy, and diverse listing of outstanding lawyers that can be used as a resource for consumers searching for a competent, highly qualified lawyer.

AV Preeminent Rating from Martindale-Hubbell

Attorneys at our law firm possess the prestigious “AV” preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell, one of the most prestigious and recognized lawyer rating services in the country.   No lawyer can pay to obtain this rating. It is bestowed upon a lawyer through a rigorous and analytical peer review.

Avvo 10.0 Rating

Avvo is a well-respected and nationally recognized lawyer review and legal support website. The site is visited by millions of people every month looking for answers to important legal questions and to find an attorney. One of the most unique features of the site is the objective numerical rating of a practicing attorney on a scale of 1 to 10 (1 is the lowest score and 10 is the best score, a.k.a. “superb”).  The attorneys with Shapiro & Appleton possess the 10.0 “superb” rating (i.e. the highest rating available). Furthermore, attorneys with our firm received the “Clients Choice” award (since ’12). In addition, attorneys with our firm received the “Top Contributor” accolade which highlights attorneys who actively publish content for the general public on relevant legal topics.

Board Certification in Civil Trials

Attorney Richard N. Shapiro has been board certified in civil trials for over 20 years. To qualify for certification by the National Board of Trial Advocacy (NBTA), attorneys must have extensive experience in their specialty and meet rigorous objective quality standards, including proctored testing and a minimum of 50 bench or jury trial days.

A successful personal injury attorney requires significant knowledge and expertise beyond just the general practice of law. When you see an NBTA-certified attorney, you can be assured that the attorney has proven they have extensive experience in their specialty and are the most qualified in their professional field.

Leaders in the Law

Attorney Shapiro has also been selected for the 2022 Class of “Leaders in the Law” by Virginia Lawyers Weekly. Thirty-three honorees, including judges and lawyers, are being recognized for their outstanding contributions to the practice of law in Virginia. This accolade is also a reflection of an honoree’s impressive leadership and accomplishments within the Virginia legal community, including setting an example for other attorneys in and around Virginia.

Rick has been successfully litigating injury cases for more than three decades throughout the eastern. As a trial attorney, he has successfully won appeals before West Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee, and South Carolina Supreme Courts, as well as before the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals.

He is also an accomplished writer, having co-authored a treatise on railroad health and safety, published in American Jurisprudence Trials, and has written two fiction thrillers. Rick also holds 18 U.S. patents, as well as several international patents, on compact, folding wheel technology for wagons, carts, and baby strollers.