James F. Brook and Associates has earned the highest rating, AV, by 140 year old
Martindale-Hubbell,® the most respected national attorney-rating firm. This
rating is awarded based on a confidential peer review process by members of the
Bar and Judiciary, where an attorney is rated by attorneys and judges practicing in
his or her community. The A portion of the rating is the highest available for skill
level, while the V represents the highest score attainable for a lawyer's ethics.

Martindale-Hubbell ® describes its mission and the AV rating as follows:

An objective way to assess a lawyer - A Martindale-Hubbell ® rating guides
consumers of legal services and those referring legal business in making smarter
decisions. A rating's third party validation of ethics and legal ability provides that
extra level of confidence that the right lawyer or firm has been selected. By
combining a rating with a review of other data in a lawyer's Professional Biography
- such as practice areas, bar memberships, professional affiliations, education and
clients - a person can be certain he or she has made the right choice for a
particular legal matter.

AV Peer Review Rating - An AV ® certification mark is a significant rating
accomplishment - a testament to the fact that a lawyer's peers rank him or her at
the highest level of professional excellence. A lawyer must be admitted to the bar
for 10 years or more to receive an AV ® rating.

Martindale Hubbell ® has been the gold standard of attorney rating since 1869,
and we're grateful to be included... and recognized.