Best Lawyers has disclosed its 2010 Lawyers of the Year selections. Three Husch Blackwell Sanders attorneys have been named: James M. Ash, Alan L. Cates and Larry L. McMullen.
James M. Ash is a Partner in the firm's Securities/Mergers & Acquisitions department and has been named the Best Lawyers 2010 Kansas City Corporate Lawyer of the Year. Ash is a member of the firm's Partner Board and Chair of its Business Services division. As a senior corporate finance attorney, he has guided management and Boards of Directors in capital markets strategies and capital formation, including mergers and acquisitions and public offerings representing more than $5 billion.
Alan L. Cates is a Partner in the firm's Tax, Benefits & Estate Planning department and has been named the Best Lawyers 2010 Chattanooga Trusts and Estates Lawyer of the Year. Cates advises tax-exempt organizations and counsels clients in charitable transfers, taxation, estate planning, business succession planning, and probate and trust issues. He is also a past president of the Chattanooga Bar Association and is a Fellow of the American College of Trust & Estate Counsel.
Larry L. McMullen is Of Counsel in the firm's Litigation department and has been named the Best Lawyers 2010 Kansas City Medical Malpractice Lawyer of the Year. McMullen has been named in Best Lawyers every year since 1991 and is a successful trial lawyer for defense of professional liability cases including medical, legal and engineering claims. He has achieved many defense victories for doctors accused of injuring patients by substandard medical care. McMullen is also a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers.
"Jim Ash, Alan Cates and Larry McMullen represent the highest level of service, commitment and expertise that we have to offer," said David A. Fenley, Co-chairman of Husch Blackwell Sanders. "I congratulate these gentlemen on their accomplishments and this latest recognition of their status as leaders in their respective fields."
Lawyer of the Year began in 2009 with 735 attorneys listed; this year 990 were listed. The selection is limited to a single lawyer in each practice area in each community being bestowed the honor. According to Best Lawyers, those honored as Lawyers of the Year "were selected because, during the past two surveys, they received particularly high ratings from most of their peers .... The selected lawyers have earned a high level of respect among other leading lawyers in the same communities and the same practice areas for their abilities, their professionalism, and their integrity."