The certificate above shows that E. J. Simmons has an AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell. The Martindale-Hubbell rating is awarded to some attorneys by a well-established process. This is the most established rating system for lawyers, and has been relied upon by referring attorneys for decades.
The service that compiles the rating sends out to a number of lawyers in the community a confidential request for comments about other lawyers. The results are sent back to the rating organization. What is said in private is not revealed to those who are being rated.
When lawyers need to refer out a matter, many rely on this rating. In the words of the organization, the AV rating means:
“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.”
For your litigation matter, you are invited to call E. J. Simmons at (503) 221-2000.