Key Takeaways
- Three Wagner Reese attorneys recognized in The Best Lawyers in America© 2022.
- Two attorneys included in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch 2022.
- Selections based on peer review; experience and professional excellence considered.
- Highlights include Jason R. Reese, Jeff S. Gibson, Stephen M. Wagner, and Laura Walker Swafford.
- Recognitions underscore the firm’s commitment to serving Indiana clients with excellence.
Recognition by professional peers in the legal field is earned through years of demonstrated work in front of judges, arbitrators, and opposing counsel who see exactly how an attorney prepares and performs. No one in that room is evaluating a marketing campaign; they’re evaluating the lawyer across the table.
Wagner Reese, LLP is proud to share that five of our attorneys have been selected for recognition in 2022, with three named in the 28th Edition of The Best Lawyers in America© and two included in the Second Edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch. These recognitions reflect the respect our team has built through years of advocating for injured Hoosiers throughout Indiana.
How Best Lawyers Recognizes Outstanding Legal Work
The Best Lawyers in America© is one of the oldest attorney peer-review publications in the legal profession. Rather than relying on self-nomination or paid inclusion, Best Lawyers selects honorees through a peer-nomination and review process in which attorneys across the country evaluate colleagues in their respective practice areas. Selection requires a minimum of ten years of experience, and honorees cannot pay for inclusion or purchase higher placement.
Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch follows the same peer-review process but is designed specifically to recognize attorneys earlier in their careers who have already demonstrated a high level of professional performance. This distinction is significant because it identifies standout practitioners before their careers have had decades to accumulate recognition.
Wagner Reese Attorneys Named to The Best Lawyers in America 2022
Three attorneys from our firm have been selected for the 28th Edition of The Best Lawyers in America©, each recognized in practice areas central to our work representing injury victims throughout Indiana.
Jeff S. Gibson has been recognized in Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions – Plaintiffs. This is his second consecutive year of recognition, having first been selected in 2021. Jeff brings disciplined advocacy to complex cases where multiple plaintiffs are pursuing claims against well-funded defendants.
Jason R. Reese has been recognized in both Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions – Plaintiffs and Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs. Jason was first selected for The Best Lawyers in America© in 2019, making this his fourth consecutive year of recognition. Selection in two separate practice areas reflects the breadth and depth of his litigation work on behalf of clients.
Stephen M. Wagner has been recognized in Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs. Stephen was first selected in 2021, and this marks his second consecutive year in the publication. His recognition reflects his work advocating for individuals and families harmed through the negligence of others.
Wagner Reese Attorneys Named to Best Lawyers Ones to Watch 2022
Two Wagner Reese attorneys have been selected for the Second Edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch, a distinction that highlights attorneys who have distinguished themselves professionally earlier in their careers.
Laura Walker Swafford has been recognized in Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs. This is her second consecutive year in the Ones to Watch edition, having also been selected in 2021. Her selection reflects her advocacy for clients who have been injured due to another party’s negligence.
What Peer Recognition Means for Clients in Indiana
When you are searching for legal representation after a serious injury or the loss of a family member, peer-review recognition provides something that advertising claims cannot: an independent assessment from attorneys who have worked alongside these lawyers and against them. It does not guarantee any specific result in a given case, but it does indicate that your attorney has earned the respect of the legal community through demonstrated professional conduct and commitment to their clients.
At Wagner Reese, LLP, our team has spent decades representing injured Indiana residents in personal injury, mass tort, and wrongful death cases. We are selective about the cases we accept, focusing on matters where individuals and families have suffered significant harm due to someone else’s negligence or misconduct. These recognitions reflect the work we’ve done and our commitment to bringing that same preparation and dedication to every case we take on.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Best Lawyers in America and how are attorneys selected?
The Best Lawyers in America© is one of the oldest attorney peer-review publications in the country. Attorneys are selected through a nomination and evaluation process in which practicing lawyers in each specialty rate peers based on professional knowledge, communication, ethical standards, and overall legal ability. Selection requires a minimum of ten years of experience. Honorees are not able to pay for inclusion, which is part of what makes the recognition meaningful to the profession.
What types of cases does Wagner Reese handle?
Our firm focuses primarily on serious personal injury cases and wrongful death claims. We handle matters including motor vehicle accidents, truck accidents, medical malpractice, mass tort litigation, and catastrophic injuries throughout Indiana. We are selective about the cases we accept, focusing on situations where individuals or families have suffered significant harm due to someone else’s negligence or misconduct.
How do I know if I have a viable personal injury case in Indiana?
Indiana generally requires that a personal injury claim be filed within two years of the date of injury or death. Beyond timing, a viable claim typically involves demonstrating that another party’s negligence or intentional conduct caused the harm, and that the harm resulted in measurable losses such as medical expenses, lost wages, or other damages. An initial consultation with our team can help you evaluate whether your situation warrants pursuing a claim.
Does Wagner Reese offer free initial consultations?
Yes. We offer free consultations for prospective clients who want to discuss their situation and learn about their options. Most personal injury and wrongful death cases at our firm are handled on a contingency fee basis, meaning our fee is a percentage of the recovery and you owe nothing unless we resolve the case in your favor.
Contact Wagner Reese, LLP
If you or a family member has been seriously injured due to someone else’s negligence, our team is available to review your situation and explain your options. We have been representing injured Hoosiers and their families since 1997.
Contact Wagner Reese online to speak with our team about your situation today. There is no fee for an initial consultation, and no obligation to proceed.
