I’m proud to announce I received the Martindale-Hubbell Preeminent Ranking Award for 2019. This means I am among top-ranking attorneys as reviewed by my peers. It’s a huge honor for me. But what does this mean for you?

 

Peer reviews are a critical component in evaluating and selecting a criminal defense attorney.  You read reviews for every other professional service in your life – doctors, mechanics, accountants, contractors, etc. – so why not do the same when choosing an attorney to advocate for you in criminal court?

 

The Importance of Peer Review by Other Minnesota Attorneys

 

 

One of the best ways to find a good lawyer is through recommendation of another lawyer.

 

There are many benchmarks by which an attorney can be rated. Over the years I’ve earned top rankings in case results for dismissals, not-guilty verdicts, and charge reductions in all areas of criminal defense.

 

Some cases are easier to win than others. One of the best ways to assess a lawyer’s abilities is seeking out peer reviews.

 

This is a process in which my colleagues in related practice areas submit confidential, secure reviews and ratings of my legal services, including case reviews and assessments of trial results.

 

Reviewing attorneys comment on both my legal ability and ethical standards as they pertain to my conduct and handling of specific cases, and the outcome for each client.

 

The lawyers who submit peer reviews always have similar experiences compared to the cases they assess. This means they understand best the nuances of each practice area. In this way, peer review is one of the surest tools in assessing legal aptitude.

 

Essentially, they become your personal advisors on who’s best equipped to handle your particular case.

 

Martindale-Hubbell’s Peer Review System

 

It’s true that even for the legal industry where we are often arguing cases against one another, we can be a tight-knit community — particularly within the same area of law or jurisdiction.

 

In a free-for-all review system, attorneys’ assessments of one another could be affected by politics. This is what makes the Martindale-Hubbell peer review program so important.

 

Unlike other review systems, it is an anonymous peer review via a secure online platform.

 

No names, relationships, or even faces are ever revealed. The confidentiality, objectivity, and independence of this rating process have made it particularly credible in evaluating legal professionals.

 

When you utilize this program to seek legal services, you can be confident you’re seeing unbiased evaluations. In fact, attorneys (including myself) refer to these assessments to see how they’re doing and to identify potential areas for improvement.

 

Judges and prosecutors have also been known to peruse peer reviews as a general litmus for attorneys’ aptitudes. During pretrial motions and plea bargaining, the prosecution is much more likely to listen to a lawyer that’s respected in his or her field.

 

Martindale-Hubbell announces which attorneys nationwide and in all legal fields have achieved top peer-review rankings annually. The award is called the Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent Peer Review Rating.

 

It is awarded only to attorneys with the highest ethical standards and professional aptitude. I’ve been recognized as an awardee for 2019. This means that my peer review ratings fall in the top 10% of my field.

 

This tells you that I’m respected by my peers, including prosecutors. This allows me to better advocate for you, ensuring the best possible outcome for your case.

 

Other National and Minnesota Awards and Activities

 

In addition to my recent receipt of the Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent Peer Review Rating Award, I also have the following awards and rankings:

 

• Minnesota Super Lawyers Rising Star, 2014-present
• MSBA Certified Criminal Law Specialist
• Top rated in Minnesota criminal law

 

To keep my legal practice current, I have professional memberships in the following organizations:

 

• Academy of Certified Trial Lawyers of Minnesota
• National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
• Minnesota Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
• Minnesota Bar Association

 

Minneapolis Criminal Defense Attorney Christopher Keyser

 

 

I am an MSBA Certified Criminal Law Specialist, a distinction held by less than 3% of all Minnesota lawyers.

 

Although I have an easy-going disposition, I have a reputation for pushing the envelope when necessary. I never back down when advocating on behalf of my clients.

 

If you’re in legal trouble, I’ll go the extra mile to ensure your best possible outcome. Some of my areas of practice include:

 

• Criminal defense
• DUI and DWI defense
• Expungement and record sealing
• Domestic violence defense
• Military criminal defense
• Juvenile crimes defense

 

If you are facing charges in these areas of law or need advice on how to proceed, reach out. We are here to help.

 

 

About the Author:

Christopher Keyser is a Minneapolis-based criminal and DWI defense attorney known for fighting aggressively for his clients and utilizing innovative tactics to get the most positive results. He has been featured in numerous media outlets due to the breadth and depth of his knowledge and recognized as a Minnesota Super Lawyers Rising Star , a Top 100 Trial Lawyer, and a  Top 40 Under 40 Attorney.