When the South Florida Legal Guide was first published 15 years ago, it featured a list of approximately 250 Top Lawyers. Each attorney was nominated by his or her peers, followed by a careful review of their experience, accomplishments and credentials.  It’s a painstaking process that we continue to follow today to make sure that all our top professionals are worthy of inclusion. 

In the past 15 years, many of those first inductees have moved out of our region, retired or passed away.  But it gives us great satisfaction to note that there are still 124 attorneys on the Top Lawyers list in our 2015 issue who were also listed in our very first edition. We are very proud to salute these exemplary attorneys who have demonstrated a consistent commitment to excellence through the years.

We also want to point out that we list these professionals as Top Lawyers because that’s what they are, rather than being Top Lawyers because we list them. As President Kennedy once said, “Things do not happen. Things are made to happen.” These are attorneys who have made things happen through their hard work and dedication.

Many of our Top Attorneys have been inspired by defining events or by role models at some point in their lives. In turn, many of them are role models and life influencers for the following generations. They realize the importance of the words of Albert Einstein, who once said, “Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value.” Our lists and our features in this issue show the prevalence of this ideal, and how we can all feel grateful for the high quality of the professionals in our legal community.

With this edition we also celebrate the 10th anniversary of our annual list of the Top CPAs and Financial Support Professionals in South Florida. This is another group of professionals who adhere to the highest standards of professionalism and community service. I define this group by the words of Steve Jobs: “Be a yardstick of quality. Some people aren’t used to an environment where excellence is expected.” 

While 10 or 15 years is a clearly defined period, we all know that time can be seen from a relative standpoint. An attorney who has been in practice for 25, 35 or 50 years might look at the publication span of South Florida Legal Guide in a different light than a Top Up-and-Comer who was admitted to the Bar just 10 years ago. But the reality as we see it, is that you don’t get to a career of 25, 35 or 50 years if you don’t first get to 15 years. 

Through the years, we have done our best to win the trust and support of our readers, advertisers and other valued partners, and it is thanks to their support that are able to celebrate our 15th anniversary.

Today we celebrate, tomorrow we go back to work. 

Jacob Safdeye

Publisher