Best & Flanagan is pleased to announce that twenty-four attorneys, four of whom have been listed for the first time, have been selected by their peers for inclusion in the 2026 edition of The Best Lawyers in America® and the 6th edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America.
Recognition by Best Lawyers is based entirely on peer review and signifies excellence in practice. Their methodology is designed to capture the consensus opinion of leading lawyers about the professional abilities of their colleagues within the same geographical region and legal practice area. Only the top 5% of all practicing lawyers in the U.S. were selected.
The following attorneys have been recognized for their distinguished practice:
- Willam R. Asp – Trusts and Estates Litigation
- John A. Burton – Trusts and Estates
- Amy S. Conners – Litigation (Banking & Finance)
- Elizabeth R. Cox – Workers Compensation Law (Employers)
- Sarah E. Crippen – Labor and Employment Litigation
- Cathy E. Gorlin – Family Law, Arbitration and Mediation
- Michael T. Hatting – Real Estate Law
- Thomas B. Heffelfinger – Native American Law
- Paul E. Kaminski – Land Use and Zoning Law, Real Estate Law
- Craig A. Kepler – Real Estate Law
- David J. Krco – Real Estate Litigation
- Steven R. Kruger – Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law, Tax Law
- E. Joseph LaFave – Trusts and Estates
- Jennifer A. Lammers – Trusts and Estates Litigation, Tax Law
- Duane L. Paulson – Real Estate Law
- Kim M. Ruckdaschel-Haley – Trusts and Estates Litigation
- Joel P. Schroeder – Commercial Litigation, Employment & Labor Law
- Mary E. Shearen – Tax Law, Trusts and Estates
- Justin P. Short – Construction Law Litigation
- Timothy A. Sullivan – Commercial Litigation, Construction Law, Real Estate Litigation
- David J. Zubke – Corporate Law
Special recognition is given to Amy Conners, Craig Kepler, Joel Schroeder, and Justin Short who were recognized for the first time this year.
Lawyers recognized in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America are earlier in their careers and have been in private practice for less than 10 years. Best & Flanagan attorneys recognized in Ones to Watch are:
- Megan J. Kunze – Commercial Litigation
- Kristin T. Trapp – Labor and Employment Litigation
- Savannah I.L. Welch – Family Law
For more information on Best Lawyers or the selection process please visit their website.
