What is an AV Rating?
The following is an excerpt from a letter to a client who asked us to explain the AV Rating.
"Thank you for your inquiry regarding the AV Rating. All attorney's who have practiced law for at least 10 years are rated. The "A" means the highest rating possible as a lawyer and a law firm for experience, knowledge of the law and professionalism. The "V" is for ethics. The rating is gatherd by an independent rating agency through evaluations of lawyers and judges. Only one percent of lawyers and law firms ever achieve the AV Rating. Our firm is the only fim in the State of Arizona that limits its practice to homeowner association law and litigation that has the AV Rating. The other firms have lower ratings or have failed in some aspect of the rating. For example, the only possible ratings are AV, BV and CV. The "A", "B" and "C" ratings are just like grades in school. If an attorney or firm does not secure at least an A, B or C rating for knowledge, experience and professionalism, the person or firm fails the rating. With respect to ethics, there is not a sliding scale. If you do not secure a "V" rating, you automatically fail for rating purposes. Further, some lawyers try to avoid the problems with a nonexistent rating by claiming that they "chose" not to be rated. It is my understanding that lawyers do not have this option and, if the option existed, lawyers would only chose not to be rated if they were fearful of the outcome."
Please see the web site for Martindale-Hubbell for further information at www.martindale.com
