Highest Rating from Martindale-Hubbell

The Law Office of Christopher J. Bagnaschi has been given an “AV” rating by the Martindale-Hubbell organization.

This is the highest rating that can be conferred upon an individual attorney or law firm. The “AV” designation shows that a lawyer has reached the height of professional excellence. He or she has usually practiced law for many years, and is recognized for the highest levels of skill and integrity. A detailed explanation of the rating system and process is explained below.

Explanation of Our Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Rating

Legal Ability Ratings
Legal Ability Ratings take into consideration the standard of professional ability in the area where the lawyer practices, the lawyer's expertise, and other professional qualifications. If a lawyer's practice is limited or specialized, Peer Review Ratings are based on performance in those specific fields of law.

Legal Ability Ratings

A - Very High to Preeminent
B - High to Very High
C - Good to High

General Ethical Standards Rating

The General Ethical Standards Rating denotes adherence to professional standards of conduct and ethics, reliability, diligence and other criteria relevant to the discharge of professional responsibilities.

The General Recommendation Rating is: V - Very High

Peer Review Ratings Reflect Career Development

A lawyer's Peer Review Rating will generally improve over time. But Peer Review Ratings can be revised downward, or even removed if a decline is noted in ability or ethical standards.

AV Peer Review Rating - shows that a lawyer has reached the height of professional excellence. He or she has usually practiced law for many years, and is recognized for the highest levels of skill and integrity.

BV Peer Review Rating - an indication of an exemplary reputation and well-established practice. A typical lawyer is in mid-career, with a significant client base and high professional standing.

CV Peer Review Rating - an excellent first Rating and a statement of a lawyer's above average ability and very high ethics.

The Process of the Peer Review Ratings System

The Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Ratings system is based on the confidential opinions of members of the Bar and the Judiciary, including both those who are rated and those who are not.

Martindale-Hubbell representatives conduct personal interviews to discuss lawyers under review with other members of the Bar. A compilation of these opinions from various sources is necessary to form a consensus, and lawyers under review are sometimes asked to provide professional references to assist with the process.

In addition, confidential questionnaires are sent to lawyers and judges in the same geographic location and/or area of practice as the lawyer being rated. Members of the Bar are instructed to assess their colleague's legal ability and general ethical standards.

If reports indicate that the lawyer in question does not meet the highest ethical standards, further explanations are requested.

Regular Peer Review Ratings Reviews

Peer Review Ratings are reviewed in stages over the course of a lawyer's career. The first review usually occurs five years after first admission to the Bar; established Peer Review Ratings are reviewed every five to eight years thereafter - or earlier if information is received indicating that a lawyer's ethics or abilities are under question.

Disbarred or suspended lawyers automatically have their Peer Review Ratings removed. Bar admitting authorities continuously supply Martindale-Hubbell with disciplinary information.

Important Notes About Peer Review Ratings

All Peer Review Rating review materials are strictly confidential, enabling participants to provide completely candid assessments of their colleagues. Under no circumstances are any Peer Review Ratings review materials released. It is also important to note that, since Martindale-Hubbell does not undertake to develop Peer Review Ratings for all lawyers, the fact that a lawyer is not rated should not be construed unfavorably.

"CV, BV and AV are registered certification marks of Reed Elsevier Properties Inc., used in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies."

"Martindale-Hubbell is the facilitator of a peer review rating process. Ratings reflect the confidential opinions of members of the Bar and the Judiciary. Martindale-Hubbell Ratings fall into two categories - legal ability and general ethical standards."

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