Contact Us for a Free Consultation (412) 471-5000

Awards...Beware!

If you are looking for an attorney to defend you, you've probably noticed that many lawyers have awards and badges of recognition on their website. The awards range from “Distinguished” lawyers to “Top 10” lawyers. There seems to be new awards popping up everyday. There is no generally accepted organization that ranks or gives awards to DUI lawyers in Pennsylvania. The awards come from advertising companies with websites. These companies charge a fee for lawyers to be listed on their website.

Consider the letters I have received. For $350, I can be designated a “Superior DUI Attorney.” For only $275, I can be designated one of the “10 Best Attorneys” in Pennsylvania DUI practice. For a whopping $1,000, I can be included in the “Best Law Firms of America.”  For another $1,000, I can be part of the “Best Attorneys of America.” For a mere $200, I can be listed by the American Society of Legal Advocates as one of the Top 100 criminal defense lawyers in Pennsylvania. For $399, I can be a member of the American Association of Premier DUI Attorneys. (Click Here To View Letters)

The offers from these advertising companies even tell you: sign up and you will have a better marketing campaign. The problem is none of these organizations know anything about me. They may have visited my website, but they don't know what I do on a daily basis. It's simply an advertising ploy.

Now, we know you might be saying “Mike Sherman, your qualifications are deserving of such awards.” The problem is that the organizations list people who pay but are not deserving of the awards. Lawyers who have never tried a case or rarely try cases are advertising themselves as the “top trial lawyers” because they paid fees to these advertising companies.

Remember that many of the advertising companies have no peer review process. The lawyer doesn't have to pass a test to get into the organization. These marketing firms simply make money by having lawyers advertise on their websites. While they also build systems to help people judge who is and who is not a good lawyer, you have to remember: lawyers may be paying that organization a lot of money in exchange for showing up on their website. The point is: these companies are not all disinterested, unbiased organizations. A lawyer can pay to be recognized as a “Superior,” “Premier,” or “Distinguished” attorney.

Some of these websites have fine and highly skilled attorneys. The problem is many don't fit the bill. Most important, Pennsylvania does not designate lawyers as being “experts” or being the “Top 10,” “Distinguished,” or “Superior” in their respective fields. That's why we believe that these awards create a false sense of “expertise” and we won't be apart of them.

Make sure you are finding all the information you can about the lawyer you want to hire from multiple sources and not just relying on one website. Check into the awards and see what is necessary for a lawyer to receive such a distinction. There are some awards earned based on merit and skill – just check into what is involved in getting the particular award.

As you can see, Mike Sherman has been offered an opportunity to “buy” many awards. At Mike Sherman Law, we believe that experience counts so we won't be part of the award buying process. Call us today for details about our experience.

If you are facing a serious charge, don't delay. Call former Pennsylvania State Police attorney Mike Sherman now to set up your free consultation at (412) 471-5000.

Contact Us Today

Mike Sherman Law is committed to answering your questions about DUI defense, homicide by vehicle while DUI, aggravated assault while DUI, homicide by vehicle, CDL defense, driving while on a DUI suspension, blood or breath tests refusals, and criminal defense law issues in Pittsburgh.

We offer a free consultation and we’ll gladly discuss your case with you at your convenience. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.



Menu