August 2024 — Best Lawyers, a legal publication with over forty years of history recognizing lawyers and firms on a peer-review basis, named KBK Partner Janet Levine as “Lawyer of the Year” and further recognized eight other KBK attorneys in its 2025 edition of The Best Lawyers in America® and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America.
Ms. Levine was named as a 2025 “Lawyer of the Year” by the publication for her ongoing achievements in the firm’s Criminal Defense: White-Collar practice. Only one lawyer from each practice area and region receives this honor each year. In addition to Ms. Levine, the following eight KBK attorneys were also honored for their contributions to their respective fields over the past year: Laura W. Brill, Robert L. Corbin, Bert H. Deixler, Robert Edward Dugdale, Richard B. Kendall, Jeffrey H. Rutherford, Patrick J. Somers, and Alan Jay Weil.
Ms. Brill was recognized for her contributions in Appellate Practice, Commercial Litigation, and Entertainment Law – Motion Pictures and Television. The publication honored Mr. Corbin for his work in the Commercial Litigation and Criminal Defense: White-Collar practice areas, respectively. Mr. Deixler was recognized for his work in Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, and Entertainment Law – Motion Pictures and Television. Mr. Kendall was honored for his achievements in Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, and Entertainment Law – Motion Pictures and Television.
Ms. Levine, in addition to earning “Lawyer of the Year,” also earned recognition for her work in three areas: Appellate Practice, Commercial Litigation, and Criminal Defense – General Practice. Mr. Dugdale and Mr. Rutherford were both named to the Best Lawyers list for their contributions in Criminal Defense: White-Collar. Mr. Somers was honored for his work in Commercial Litigation, and Mr. Weil received recognition for his achievements in Legal Malpractice Law – Defendants.
These profiles are published in the 31st edition of The Best Lawyers in America and the fifth edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America. Best Lawyers was first published in 1983 and prides itself on providing these peer-reviewed annual reports as a “testament to the skill and commitment of lawyers across the United States, whose work continues to shape the future of the legal industry.”