San Francisco, CA – November 1, 2011:  Several Farella Braun + Martel LLP practices received top honors in the 2011-2012 U.S. News / Best Lawyers “Best Law Firms” rankings.  The firm’s Construction and Environmental practices earned National Tier One level rankings. 

The rankings were determined by combining hard data with peer reviews, and client assessments.  Clients and lawyers were asked to rate the law firms they consider best in their practice area.  Among the topics of evaluation were a firm’s expertise, responsiveness, cost-effectiveness, and civility, and whether it deserved to be recommended for work.  The rankings are presented in tiers both nationally and by metropolitan area or by state. 

Farella practice areas recognized by U.S. News/Best Lawyers:

National Rankings

Tier 1

• Construction Law
• Litigation - Construction
• Litigation - Environmental

Tier 2

• Litigation - Intellectual Property
• Litigation - Patent

Tier 3

• Land Use & Zoning Law
• Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants

Metropolitan Rankings – San Francisco

Tier 1

• Appellate Practice
• Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
• Construction Law
• Criminal Defense: White-Collar - Litigation
• Environmental Law
• Insurance Law
• Land Use & Zoning Law
• Litigation - Construction
• Litigation - Environmental
• Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants
• Trusts & Estates Law

Tier 2

• Commercial Litigation
• Criminal Defense: White-Collar - Governmental Investigations
• Litigation - Antitrust
• Litigation - Bankruptcy
• Litigation - Intellectual Property
• Litigation - Land Use & Zoning
• Litigation - Patent
• Litigation - Securities

Tier 3

• Banking and Finance Law
• Real Estate Law

Tier 4

• Corporate Law

The rankings were released by U.S. News Media Group, publisher of U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers, publisher of The Best Lawyers in America, the oldest peer-review publication in the legal profession.

Farella Braun + Martel represents clients throughout the United States and abroad in sophisticated business transactions and high-stakes commercial, civil and criminal litigation. Founded in 1962, the firm is headquartered in San Francisco and maintains an office in the Napa Valley focused on the wine industry. Farella Braun + Martel lawyers are known for their imaginative legal solutions, dynamism and intellectual creativity. With an unwavering service ethic and interdisciplinary team approach, the firm is committed to advancing clients' objectives in the most effective, coordinated and efficient manner. Farella Braun + Martel is a green business. 

Contacts:
Melinda Hepp / Traci Stuart
Blattel Communications
415.397.4811
[email protected] / [email protected]

Cheryl Loof
Farella Braun + Martel LLP
415.954.4433 / [email protected]