Peer Review Rating

For more than a century, Lexis Nexis Martindale-Hubbell has been the nation's premier peer review attorney rating service. It evaluates lawyers and law firms in the United States and Canada. Mr. Buscemi enjoys the "AV" rating, its highest rating.

The Peer Review Ratings was created for lawyers by lawyers, the people best suited to assess their peers. Lawyers are directly involved in the evaluation process. Lexis Nexis Martindale-Hubbell obtains the confidential opinions of members of the Bar and the Judiciary and conducts personal interviews. Questionnaires are sent to lawyers and judges in the same geographic location and often directed to lawyers with the same practice area focus.

Lawyers are reviewed in stages over the course of their career, usually occurring five years after first admission to the Bar and every five to eight years thereafter. The evaluations are strictly confidential, enabling lawyers to make a completely candid assessment of their colleagues. Many lawyers looking for local counsel or needing to make a referral rely on this service.

Legal ability ratings take into consideration the standard for professional ability in the area where the lawyer practices, the lawyer's expertise, other professional qualifications.

Legal ability ratings are:

A - Very High to Preeminent

B - High to Very High

C - Good to High

The General Ethical Standards Rating denotes adherence to professional standards of conduct and ethics, reliability, diligence and other criteria relevant to the discharge of professional responsibilities.

The General Recommendation Rating is: V - Very High.

Mr. Buscemi's "AV" rating denotes that he has practiced law for many years, reached the height of professional excellence, and is recognized for the highest levels of skill and integrity.

Questions about this rating system can be sent by e-mail to ratings@martindale.com or by mail to:

Peer Review Rating Services
LexisNexis Martindale- Hubbell
121 Chanlon Road
New Providence, NJ 07974