About Jennings Strouss
BestCompaniesAZ “Top Companies to Work for in Arizona” 2017 – 2021
For five consecutive years, Jennings Strouss has earned a spot among the BestCompaniesAZ “Top Companies to Work for in Arizona.” In the medium-sized company category of 100-999 employees, the firm ranked #2 out of 32 companies in 2017, #7 out of 37 companies in 2018, #19 out of 43 companies in 2019, #9 out of 45 companies in 2020, and #17 out of 37 companies in 2021.
Arizona Capitol Times and BrightTower Media partners with Best Companies Group to produce the BestCompaniesAZ “Top Companies to Work for in Arizona” program to measure employee engagement. The methodology for selecting the top companies includes a confidential Employee Engagement and Satisfaction Survey that evaluates company culture and individual employee workplace experiences. An Employer Questionnaire is also used to collect information about company benefits, policies, practices, and other general information. The combined data is analyzed by Best Companies Group to determine the final list of the top 100 companies based on each company’s strengths and challenges.
Az Business magazine and BestCompaniesAZ “Most Admired Companies” 2017 – 2021
Jennings Strouss is honored to be recognized as a “Most Admired Company” from 2017 – 2021 by Az Business magazine and BestCompaniesAZ. Selection of Az Business magazine’s “Most Admired Companies” is based on six pillars of excellence – leadership, social responsibility, customer opinion, workplace culture, innovation, and healthy workplaces. A selection committee comprised of Az Business magazine’s editorial and management team, BestCompaniesAZ’s leadership team, and professionals from a wide range of industries rated and selected the most accomplished and prestigious companies in Arizona.
Phoenix Business Journal’s “Best Places to Work” 2007 – 2010, 2013 – 2014, 2017, 2019 – 2021
Award presented by the Phoenix Business Journal. The “Best Places to Work” program recognizes the Valley’s “best companies” in micro, small, midsize, large, and extra large businesses in the metro Phoenix market.
BestCompaniesAZ “100 Best Arizona Companies” 2012 and 2022
Jennings Strouss is honored to be listed as one of BestCompaniesAZ’s “100 Best Arizona Companies” in 2022 in the category of “Best Trailblazers.” Best Trailblazers is described as companies that have pioneered and sustained their exceptional performance by all metrics over twenty years, representing the best of the best. Jennings Strouss was also listed in the category of “Best of Stars” category in 2012.
BestCompaniesAZ celebrates twenty years of recognizing the “100 Best Arizona Companies” that have shaped Arizona’s workplaces for the past two decades and are well positioned to take Arizona into the future. The 100 Best are chosen by invitation only and based on research of local and national award-winning companies from prestigious lists and those with stellar best practices supporting diversity, LGBTQ, corporate giving, corporate equality, veterans, and more.
Az Business Angels Awards “Outstanding Corporate Responsibility” 2020
Az Business magazine‘s Az Business Angels Awards cast a spotlight on organizations and leaders that are making the greatest impact on Arizona communities. From hundreds of 2020 nominations, the Az Business Angels judging committee carefully narrowed them down to a select few finalists in eleven categories. Jennings Strouss was recognized for its Outstanding Corporate Responsibility. Since 1942, the Firm has been well-known for its rich heritage, commitment to community, and long-lasting relationships. The Firm has a long history of philanthropy, sponsoring numerous organizations and supporting personnel who volunteer and serve on boards of nonprofit organizations. The Firm’s culture has always encouraged and supported community involvement. In 2008, The Jennings Strouss Foundation was formed with the mission to promote the advancement of the arts, education, and community development.
Phoenix Business Journal’s Corporate Philanthropy Awards 2017
Jennings Strouss was selected as one of three finalists for the Phoenix Business Journal’s Corporate Philanthropy Awards in the Corporate Volunteerism – Under 1,000 Employees category. The firm and the Jennings Strouss Foundation are honored to be recognized for the contributions they make to Arizona communities.
Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Ratings™
The Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Ratings™ help in-house counsel and other sophisticated buyers of legal services identify, evaluate and select the most appropriate lawyer for a specific task at hand. Lawyer Ratings serve as an objective indicator that a lawyer has the highest ethical standards and professional ability and are used by buyers of legal services to justify their hiring decisions.
U.S. News & World Report – Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms” 2011 – 2023
The U.S. News – Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms” rankings are based on a rigorous evaluation process that includes the collection of client and lawyer evaluations, peer review from leading attorneys in their field, and review of additional information provided by law firms as part of the formal submission process.
In the 2023 edition of “Best Law Firms,” Jennings Strouss received a Tier 1 National Ranking for Energy Law, a Tier 2 National Ranking for Litigation – Real Estate, and Tier 3 National Rankings for Commercial Litigation, Corporate Law, and Securities Regulation. The firm also received multiple Metropolitan Rankings for 44 practice areas in Phoenix and Washington, D.C. Click here to see the full list.
“Best Law Firms” includes rankings in 75 national practice areas and 127 metropolitan-based practice areas. Firms included in the 2023 “Best Law Firms” list are recognized for professional excellence with persistently impressive ratings from clients and peers. Achieving a ranking signals a unique combination of quality law practice and breadth of legal expertise. Clients and peers were asked to evaluate firms based on the following criteria: responsiveness, understanding of a business and its needs, cost-effectiveness, integrity and civility, as well as whether they would refer a matter to the firm and/or consider the firm a worthy competitor.
The Best Lawyers in America©
Since the inception of The Best Lawyers in America©, Jennings Strouss attorneys have been selected for inclusion in the publication. Best Lawyers® has published their list for over three decades. Lawyers on The Best Lawyers in America© list are divided by geographic region and practice areas. They are reviewed by their peers on the basis of professional expertise and undergo an authentication process to make sure they are in current practice and good standing. Attorneys featured in The Best Lawyers in America: Ones to Watch© have been practicing for 5-9 years and are recognized for outstanding professional excellence in private practice. Once they have been practicing for 10+ years, they will be eligible for recognition in The Best Lawyers in America©.
Most recently, 34 Jennings Strouss attorneys are listed in the 2023 edition of The Best Lawyers in America©.
Best Lawyers® “Lawyers of the Year” in Phoenix
Each year, only a single lawyer in each practice area and designated metropolitan area is honored as the “Lawyer of the Year,” making these accolades particularly significant. These lawyers are selected based on particularly impressive voting averages received during the peer-review assessments. Receiving this designation reflects the high level of respect a lawyer has earned among other leading lawyers in the same communities and the same practice areas for their abilities, professionalism, and integrity.
Best Lawyers® “Lawyer of the Year” in Phoenix
2023
- Lawyer of the Year for Litigation – Healthcare: Richard K. Delo
- Lawyer of the Year for Legal Malpractice Law – Defendants: J. Scott Rhodes
- Lawyer of the Year for Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law: Christopher W. Kramer
2022
- Lawyer of the Year for Medical Malpractice Law: Richard K. Delo
- Lawyer of the Year for Litigation – Health Care: Jay A. Fradkin
- Lawyer of the Year for Mediation: Michael R. Palumbo
- Lawyer of the Year for Ethics and Professional Responsibility Law: J. Scott Rhodes
2021
- Lawyer of the Year for Medical Malpractice Law: Jay A. Fradkin
- Lawyer of the Year for Litigation – Municipal Law: J. Scott Rhodes
2020
- Lawyer of the Year for Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships): Richard Lieberman
- Lawyer of the Year for Ethics and Professional Responsibility Law: J. Scott Rhodes
2019
- Lawyer of the Year for Family Law Arbitration: Norma C. Izzo
- Lawyer of the Year for Corporate Compliance Law: Richard Lieberman
- Lawyer of the Year for Real Estate Law: John C. Norling
- Lawyer of the Year for Public Finance Law: George C. Spilsbury
- Lawyer of the Year for Legal Malpractice Law: J. Scott Rhodes
2018
- Lawyer of the Year for Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships): Richard Lieberman
- Lawyer of the Year for Ethics and Professional Responsibility Law: J. Scott Rhodes
2016
- Lawyer of the Year for Medical Malpractice Law: Jay A. Fradkin
- Lawyer of the Year for Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships): Richard Lieberman
2014
- Lawyer of the Year for Corporate Governance Law: Richard Lieberman
2013
- Lawyer of the Year for Ethics and Professional Responsibility Law: J. Scott Rhodes
- Lawyer of the Year for Administrative/Regulatory Law: John G. “Jack” Sestak, Jr.
2011
- Lawyer of the Year for Administrative Law: J. Scott Rhodes
Chambers USA
Chambers USA is published by London-based Chambers & Partners, publishing legal directories for over 20 years. Chambers USA bases its selections on interviews with a range of lawyers and their clients around the country. It bases its rankings on qualities including technical legal ability, professional conduct, client service, commercial astuteness, diligence, commitment, and other categories most valued by clients.
Jennings Strouss’ Labor and Employment and Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation practice groups have been ranked in the 2022 edition of Chambers USA. Attorney John J. Balitis, Chair of the Firm’s Labor and Employment practice group, was also ranked as a top Labor and Employment lawyer in Arizona for his eighth year. In addition, Jennings Strouss attorney Albert “Bert” Acken was ranked in the Arizona practice area of Environmental Law for his ninth consecutive year, and attorney Keith F. Overholt was ranked in the Arizona practice area of Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation.
Super Lawyers®
Super Lawyers® is a listing of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high degree of professional achievement. Super Lawyers® magazine names attorneys in all 50 states who are chosen by their peers and through the independent research. Each year, no more than 5% of lawyers in the state are selected for inclusion on the Super Lawyers® list and no more than 2.5% are selected for Super Lawyers Rising Stars®.
2022 Washington, D.C. Super Lawyers®
- Joel L. Greene – Energy & Natural Resources, Utilities, Transportation/Maritime
- Gary J. Newell – Energy & Natural Resources, Utilities
2022 Southwest Super Lawyers Rising Stars®
- Lindsay G. Leavitt – Business Litigation, Employment & Labor: Employer, Civil Rights
- Anne E. McClellan – Civil Litigation: Defense, Personal Injury – Medical Malpractice: Defense, Professional Liability: Defense
- Daniel J.F. Peabody – Employment & Labor: Employer, Business Litigation, Estate Planning & Probate
- Karen N. Wohlgemuth – Family Law, General Litigation
- R. Ryan Womack – Civil Litigation: Plaintiff
2022 Southwest Super Lawyers®
- John J. Balitis – Employment & Labor: Employer, General Litigation
- Jay A. Fradkin – Personal Injury – Medical Malpractice: Defense
- Jeffrey D. Gardner – Securities Litigation, Class Action/Mass Torts: Defense
- Norma C. Izzo – Family Law, Alternative Dispute Resolution
- Richard Lieberman – Mergers & Acquisitions, Securities & Corporate Finance, Business/Corporate
- Bruce B. May – Real Estate: Business
- Bradley J. Stevens – Bankruptcy: Business, General Litigation, Business/Corporate
2021 Washington, D.C. Super Lawyers®
- Joel L. Greene – Energy & Natural Resources, Utilities, Transportation/Maritime
- Gary J. Newell – Energy & Natural Resources, Utilities
2021 Southwest Super Lawyers Rising Stars®
- Sarah E. Epperson – Estate Planning & Probate, Civil Litigation: Defense, Civil Litigation: Plaintiff, Business Litigation
- Lindsay G. Leavitt – Business Litigation, Employment & Labor: Employer, Civil Rights
- Anne E. McClellan – Civil Litigation: Defense, Personal Injury – Medical Malpractice: Defense, Professional Liability: Defense
- Karen N. Wohlgemuth – Family Law, General Litigation
- R. Ryan Womack – Civil Litigation: Plaintiff
2021 Southwest Super Lawyers®
- John J. Balitis – Employment & Labor: Employer, General Litigation
- John J. Egbert – Employment & Labor: Employer, Appellate
- Jay A. Fradkin – Personal Injury – Medical Malpractice: Defense
- Jeffrey D. Gardner – Securities Litigation, Class Action/Mass Torts: Defense
- Norma C. Izzo – Family Law, Alternative Dispute Resolution
- Richard Lieberman – Mergers & Acquisitions, Securities & Corporate Finance, Business/Corporate
- Bruce B. May – Real Estate: Business
- Bradley J. Stevens – Bankruptcy: Business, General Litigation, Business/Corporate
2020 Southwest Super Lawyers®
- John J. Balitis – Employment & Labor
- John J. Egbert – Employment & Labor
- Jay A. Fradkin – Personal Injury Medical Malpractice: Defense
- Jeffrey D. Gardner – Securities Litigation
- Norma C. Izzo – Family Law
- Richard Lieberman – Mergers & Acquisitions
- Bruce B. May – Real Estate
- Bradley J. Stevens – Bankruptcy: Business
- Fay W. Bidlack – Business/Corporate, Rising Star
- Shanna N. Bowman – Family Law, Rising Star
- Sarah E. Epperson – Business Litigation, Rising Star
- Lindsay Leavitt – Business Litigation, Rising Star
- Maxwell W. Mahoney – Family Law, Rising Star
- Anne E. McClellan – Civil Litigation: Defense, Rising Star
- Karen Wohlgemuth – General Litigation, Rising Star
2020 Washington, D.C. Super Lawyers®
- Joel L. Greene – Energy and Resources
- Gary J. Newell – Utilities
- Alan I. Robbins – Energy and Resources
- Debra D. Roby – Energy and Resources
- Deborah A. Swanstrom – Energy and Resources
Ranking Arizona: The Best of Arizona Business
Ranking Arizona, an AZ Big Media magazine, is one of the largest business opinion polls in Arizona. Each business category is selected by the staff of AZ Big Media based upon the business and leisure activities of Arizona’s business community. Ranking Arizona gives Arizona residents and business leaders the opportunity to vote for their favorite businesses in each category. Participants base their selections on the quality of service provided by the companies they vote for.
In 2021, Jennings Strouss received recognition in 9 law firm categories. Following are the Firm’s top rankings since 2014, when Ranking Arizona changed its model to include multiple areas of practice in addition to the three law firm categories designated by the number of attorneys:
2021 Rankings
- #1 – Business/Corporate
- #5 – Government Relations
- #7 – ADR/Mediation or Arbitration
- #7 – Banking
- #8 – Family
- #8 – Law Firms, 48 Attorneys or More
- #8 – Securities/Corporate Finance
- #9 – Creditors’ Rights, Collections
- #10 – Creditors’ Rights, Bankruptcy/Reorganization
2020 Rankings
#1 – Business/Corporate
#3 – ADR/Mediation or Arbitration
#3 – Securities/Corporate Finance
#4 – Best Workplace Culture: Law
#5 – Law Firms, 41 Attorneys or More
#6 – Creditors’ Rights, Bankruptcy/Reorganization
#7 – Banking
#7 – Government Relations
#7 – Mergers/Acquisitions
#10 – Intellectual Property
2019 Rankings
#1 – Business/Corporate
#2 – ADR/Mediation or Arbitration
#4 – Mergers/Acquisitions
#5 – Commercial Litigation
#6 – Banking
#6 – Law Firms, 40 Attorneys or More
#7 – Intellectual Property
#9 – Employment/Labor
#9 – Securities/Corporate Finance
#9 – Creditors’ Rights, Bankruptcy/Reorganization
2018 Rankings
#1 – Business/Corporate
#2 – ADR/Mediation or Arbitration
#3 – Family
#4 – Banking
#4 – Commercial Litigation
#4 – Employment/Labor
#4 – Renewable Energy
#5 – Law Firms, 50 Attorneys or More
#6 – Personal Injury
#6 – Securities/Corporate
#8 – Creditors’ Rights, Bankruptcy/Reorganization
#10 – Estate/Trust
#10 – Tax
2017 Rankings
#1 – Business/Corporate
#2 – Intellectual Property
#2 – ADR/Mediation or Arbitration
#3 – Law Firms: 50 Attorneys or More
#3 – Tax
#4 – Personal Injury Defense
#6 – Creditors’ Rights, Bankruptcy/Reorganization
#6 – Employment/Labor
#8 – Banking
#9 – Family
2016 Rankings
#1 – Alternative Dispute Resolution
#3 – Intellectual Property
#3 – Creditors’ Rights, Bankruptcy/Reorganization
#4 – Law Firms, 50 Attorneys or More
#4 – Business/Corporate
#4 – Construction Litigation
#4 – Family Law
#5 – Personal Injury
#6 – Employment/Labor
#6 – Estate/Trust
#6 – Tax
2015 Rankings
#1 – Alternative Dispute Resolution
#2 – Estate/Trust
#2 – Personal Injury Defense
#2 – Renewable Energy
#2 – Tax
#3 – Business/Corporate
#3 – Construction Litigation
#3 – Family Law
#3 – Intellectual Property
#7 – Law Firms: 51 Attorneys or More
#8 – Employment/Labor
#9 – Healthcare
2014 Rankings
#1 – ADR/Mediation or Arbitration
#2 – Family Law
#3 – Business/Corporate
#3 – Construction Litigation
#4 – Estate/Trust
#5 – Employment/Labor
#6 – Law Firms: 51 Attorneys or More
#7 – Bankruptcy/Reorganization
#7 – Healthcare
#8 – Tax
#10 – Real Estate
AZ Foothills “Best Of Our Valley”
Each year, azfoothills.com asks readers to vote on their favorite Valley people, places, and more. The contest draws hundreds of thousands of votes from across the Phoenix Metropolitan area and those selected as “best” of each category are featured in the publication’s annual April Collector’s Edition issue. Jennings Strouss and its attorneys are the proud recipients of the following awards:
Best of Our Valley
- Best Corporate Law Firm: 2021 – 2022
- Best Divorce Attorney – Norma C. Izzo: 2017, 2019 – 2022
- Best Intellectual Property Law Firm: 2017, 2018, 2021 – 2022
- Best Mediation Law: 2021 – 2022
- Best Mergers & Acquisition Law: 2021 – 2022
- Best Real Estate Law Firm: 2014, 2016, 2018, 2021 – 2022
Peoria Times “The Best of Peoria” 2022
Jennings Strouss was placed as “Reader Recommended” for “Best Attorney” in Peoria Times “The Best of Peoria” in 2022. In 2021, the Firm was voted “Best Attorney.” In 2020, the Firm was voted “Best Lawyer/Law Firm.” Peoria Times asks readers to vote on their favorite Peoria businesses, people, and places. The contest garners millions of votes from Valley residents.
NALS of Phoenix “Law Firm of the Year” 2015
Jennings Strouss was selected as “Law Firm of the Year” 2015 by NALS of Phoenix. We take great pride in supporting our staffs’ participation in the NALS through conferences and seminars, and participation on the local Board and its committees. In addition to the firm award, Jennings Strouss attorney Norma C. Izzo, Chair of the firm’s Family Law and Domestic Relations department, was honored with the “Boss of the Year” award.
The Valley’s Healthiest Employers 2011 Winner
Jennings Strouss was named one of the Valley’s 2011 Healthiest Employers in the Phoenix Business Journal’s inaugural program. Winning status was based solely on survey results which were evaluated and ranked by wellness technology company, Healthiest Employers of Indianapolis, Indiana. Jennings Strouss was acknowledged for an exemplary health and wellness program and for innovative strategies for keeping the workforce healthy.