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Legal accolades can be impressive, but they can also be confusing. If you’re browsing attorney bios or law firm websites, you may come across abbreviations and awards like AAML, CBA, or Super Lawyers. So what do these really mean? And how much should they factor into your decision?
AAML: The American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers
The AAML is a prestigious national organization with state-level chapters, and it’s considered one of the top honors in family law. Membership is extraordinarily selective. Attorneys must apply and meet rigorous criteria, including a lengthy application, a national written exam on numerous subjects, a local exam on Connecticut law, peer reviews, and a minimum number of complex cases tried. AAML members are among the most experienced family law practitioners in the country.
Hiring an AAML fellow means you’re working with someone who has proven their skills, knowledge, and ethics in a highly specialized field.
CBA: The Connecticut Bar Association
The CBA is a statewide professional organization that offers membership to all attorneys licensed in Connecticut. It includes specialized sections, like the Family Law Section, where attorneys meet regularly (in person or virtually) to stay current on changes in the law and collaborate on best practices.
Members of the CBA often attend events where judges speak directly to practitioners, offering invaluable insight into courtroom dynamics. While anyone can join, active participation signals a commitment to professional development and community involvement.
Super Lawyers
This is one of the most visible honors you’ll see, often featured in magazines or websites. Super Lawyers is a peer-nominated and independently reviewed rating system that highlights outstanding attorneys across various practice areas. Lawyers cannot pay to be listed—it’s based on professional achievement and peer recognition.
Being named a Super Lawyer or Rising Star is a sign that an attorney is well-regarded within the legal community.
Chambers and Partners
Chambers and Partners is one of the most respected legal rankings organizations in the world. Its rigorous selection process involves months of research, including interviews with clients, peers, and industry experts. Rankings are based on technical legal ability, client service, commercial vision, diligence, and professional conduct.
Being recognized, particularly at Band 1, is an elite distinction, signaling exceptional performance and a strong reputation in the legal community. Individual attorney rankings further underscore professional excellence at the highest level.
Best Lawyers
Best Lawyers is one of the legal profession’s most respected peer-review publications, recognizing top attorneys based entirely on feedback from their professional peers. Lawyers are nominated by colleagues, evaluated by previously recognized attorneys, and thoroughly vetted through a rigorous process that ensures integrity, fairness, and credibility.
Only a small percentage of lawyers, roughly 5% in the U.S. and 3% globally, are selected each year. With over 13 million confidential evaluations submitted annually, a Best Lawyers designation is a meaningful mark of distinction in the legal field.
What It Means for You
These accolades can be helpful markers of experience and recognition, but they’re not everything. Use them as one factor in your decision-making process, alongside trust, rapport, responsiveness, and reputation.
