Rivers J. Morrell, III Recent Appearances:
Recognition by the Legal Industry
Mr. Morrell has received some of the most prestigious awards offered by the legal industry. These achievements provide genuine evidence of his experience and expertise in civil advocacy as a personal injury lawyer.
Super Lawyers
Mr. Morrell was selected as a California Super Lawyer by Super Lawyers again in 2020 for the fourteenth consecutive year – 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and now 2020! This is the result of a selection process in which less than 5% of the attorneys in Southern California are selected. Super Lawyer “is an annual listing of outstanding lawyers who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement.” “Law and Politics uses a multi-step selection process that takes approximately 9 months”… to include a survey of active attorneys in the State, researching of credentials, along with a blue ribbon review panel of leading attorneys.
Law Office of Rivers J. Morrell III Recognized by AVVO for Consistent Excellence in Client Experience and Customer Service
We have just been recognized with the ” Avvo Clients’ Choice Award” for the fifth consecutive year. This award is based upon the experiences of our clients, and consistent ratings of excellence from those clients and peers on an independent legal source. The rating of 10.0 is the highest achievement an attorney can receive from Avvo.
Avvo ratings are provided by clients of the firm after the completion of their case, and represent their perspective on what it is like to work with the firm, and the outcome and success of their legal case. Recommendations by former clients is a mark of excellence you should seek in a personal injury attorney.
Rivers Morrell is an experienced and proven personal injury attorney based in Mission Viejo and Irvine for over 40 years. Serving all of Orange County, Los Angeles and the Inland Empire, Mr. Morrell is highly respected by insurance companies, his peers, the legal industry and his clients alike.
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Highest AV Rating “Preeminent 5 out of 5″ – Martindale-Hubbell
Martindale Hubbell is the largest nationally recognized attorney organization in the country. Each year, for the past 100 years, Martindale Hubbell has rated all of the attorneys in the United States. This is the result of “an extensive, confidential review conducted among the legal profession.” The highest ranking that any attorney can achieve is the AV Preeminent 5 out 5 rating. Mr. Morrell has had the AV rating since 1998. The AV rating is “a reflection of having achieved the highest levels of professional skill and integrity.” One’s level of legal ability is considered to be “very high to preeminent.” The AV rating “signifies that your legal abilities are of the very highest standard and that your professional ethics are unquestioned.”
Rivers J. Morrell, III Named to “Best Attorneys of America”
Less than one percent (1%) of the lawyers in America have been invited to be members of Rue Ratings’ Best Attorneys of America. Rue Ratings selects only attorneys with an extraordinary level of legal expertise, competency, professional reputation and ethical standards. “Complex, important and often ground-breaking matters have been handled by the certified members of Rue Ratings’ Best Attorneys of America.”
Million Dollar Advocates Forum
Mr. Morrell became eligible for the Million Dollar Advocates Forum in 1987. To be eligible, one must prove to the Forum that you have recovered in a civil proceeding at least One Million Dollars on behalf of your client. Mr. Morrell has had several such recoveries. He officially became a member in 2003. There are only about 2500 members in the entire United States (as of 2004). Membership is considered “the most prestigious group of trial lawyers in the United States.” Less than 1% of the U.S. lawyers are members. Again, if your attorney is a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, then you know your attorney is experienced in big dollar, serious injury cases.
Multi-Million Dollar Advocates
Mr. Morrell is also a Life Member of Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum. To be a member, the attorney must have recovered “multi-millions” on behalf of his client.
Rivers J. Morrell, III Receives the 2020 Litigator Award™
Rivers J. Morrell, III has been honored with the “2020 Litigator Award” by the Trial Lawyers Board of Regents.
Presented in “Practice Specialty” categories, the Awards are based on actual “Verdict & Settlement” dollar achievement rather than peer popularity, making them perhaps the most rigorous and openly judged Award Ratings anywhere.
Those awarded join an exclusive fraternity of Super-Star Lawyers who have won Million, Multi-Million and/or Billion Dollar cases – a feat achieved by fewer than 1% of all lawyers. Of the nearly 1.1 Million lawyers considered, only a select few (about 12 Law Firms) per State or DMA, will achieve the distinction of being awarded each year in any given Practice Specialty.
Rivers J. Morrell, III Named “National Trial Lawyers: Top 100 Civil Plaintiff Trial Lawyer” for 2020
The National Trial Lawyers: Top 100 is an invitation-only organization composed of the premier trial lawyers from each state or region who meet stringent qualifications as civil plaintiff and/or criminal defense trial lawyers. Selection is based on a thorough multi-phase objective and uniformly applied process which includes peer nominations combined with third-party research. Membership is extended only to the select few of the most qualified attorneys from each state or region who demonstrate superior qualifications of leadership, reputation, influence, stature and public profile measured by objective and uniformly applied standards in compliance with state bar and national Rule 4-7.
The National Trial Lawyers is a professional organization composed of the premier trial lawyers from across the country who exemplify superior qualifications as civil plaintiff or criminal defense trial lawyers. This national organization provides networking opportunities, advocacy training, and the highest quality educational programs for trial lawyers.
Why Choose a Board Certified Attorney
Board Certified Civil Trial Advocate
Mr. Morrell is also a Board Certified Civil Trial Advocate. He was so certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy (NBTA). There are less than 2000 attorneys in the entire country that have been certified in this field by the NBTA. The NBTA is accredited by the ABA to certify lawyers in areas of civil advocacy. The Task Force on Lawyer Competence of the Conference of Chief Justices found: “The National Board of Trial Advocacy provides recognition for superior achievement in trial advocacy, uses a highly-structured examination to select it members and is an arduous process that employs a wide range of assessment methods and entails considerable cost to the candidate.” NBTA is the only national certification program for trial attorneys. It was “established to identify those attorney that have the experience and skill necessary to label themselves specialists.”
Board Certified for Civil Pretrial Advocate
Mr. Morrell is certified by the National Board of Civil Pretrial Practice Advocacy, as a Civil Pretrial Practice Advocate. This is the newest division of the National Board of Legal Specialty Certification.Best’s Directory of Recommended Insurance Attorneys
Best’s Directory of Recommended Insurance Attorneys has also accepted Mr. Morrell as one of their approved attorneys. This was the result of “the completion of a comprehensive application, and the feedback of insurance companies and self insureds familiar with Mr. Morrell, and his firm.”
Rivers J. Morrell, III Named the Winner of the Corporate Livewire Legal 2020 Award for Personal Injury Law Firm of the Year – California
Rivers J. Morrell, III has been named “Personal Injury Law Firm of the Year” by Corporate Livewire. This award recognizes exceptional performance, excellence and dedication to client satisfaction in the legal industry.“The Corporate LiveWire Legal Award winners have proven to be of high caliber, showing a strong motivation and drive to achieve fantastic results within the legal community. We are exceptionally proud of all of our winners and are keen to see how they will continue to demonstrate their commitment in the future”.
Rivers J. Morrell, III Named to the “Legal Elite” by Corporate America Magazine
“Corporate America magazine selected The Law Firm of Rivers J. Morrel, III as ‘Most Trusted Personal Injury Attorney – California’ for the sixth straight year in the 2020 Legal Elite Awards. The awards recognize the most well respected lawyers, attorneys and firms in the industry, highlighting the game changing work, stellar customer service and amazing results that they have achieved.
T hey were awarded for their dedication and commitment in the area of personal injury law.”
Rivers J. Morrell, III Awarded “10 Best in Client Satisfaction” for 2020 by AIOPIA
The Law Firm of Rivers J. Morrell, III has been recognized by the American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys (AIOPIA) as one of the 10 best in client satisfaction for 2018.
This award recognizes the consistent excellence with which Mr. Morrell handles his clients, and their expressed satisfaction with the attention he gives to their matters, as well as the outcome he has achieved in their cases.
Rivers J. Morrell, III Named one of the “Top 100” Lawyers in California by the American Academy of Trial Attorneys
Rivers J. Morrell, III has been selected as a “Premier 100 Trial Attorney” for the State of California by the American Academy of Trial Attorneys (AATA). This award recognizes the top 100 trial attorneys in each state, based upon the high standards and selection criteria of the AATA.
The AATA “promotes through recognizing the professionalism and excellence of those Trial Attorneys who have earned the designation as a Premier 100 trial attorney as found by the American Academy of Trial Attorneys.”
“Top 1%” by the “National Association of Distinguished Counsel”
Only the top one percent of attorneys in the United States are awarded membership in The National Association of Distinguished Counsel (NADC). The NADC is “an organization dedicated to promoting the highest standards of legal excellence.” The mission of the NADC is to “objectively recognize the attorneys who elevate the standards of the Bar and provide a benchmark for other lawyers to emulate.”
Top 100 Litigator / American Society of Legal Advocates (ASLA)
Mr. Morrell has been selected “Top 100 Litigator” by The American Society of Legal Advocates (ASLA). ASLA is a new, invitation-only, nationwide organization of elite lawyers in practice today who combine stellar legal credentials with a proven commitment to community engagement and the highest professional standards.
ASLA spent six months researching tens of thousands of lawyers across the country and selecting less than 2% of all lawyers based on an array of criteria.
Lifetime Charter Member of “Best Attorneys of America”
“Best attorney” Lifetime Charter Members are extraordinary lawyers with an extraordinary level of legal expertise, competency, professional reputation, professionalism and ethical standards the highest standards that Rue Ratings’ Best Attorneys of America has personally invited that chosen attorney to be a Lifetime Charter Member. “Best Attorney” Lifetime Charter Membership is limited to the top 200 attorneys in California.
Nominated 2020 “Litigators Award”
The 2020 Litigator Awards TM represent the highest honors in Trial Law, and justly stand as the nation’s most coveted symbol of “Litigation Achievement”. Presented in up to 72 “Practice Specialty” categories, the Awards are based on actual “Verdict & Settlement” dollar achievement rather than peer popularity, making them perhaps the most rigorous and openly judged Award Ratings anywhere.
Selected “Top 10” in California by National Academy Of Personal Injury Attorneys
The National Academy of Personal Injury Attorneys is an organization devoted to recognizing the top Personal Injury attorneys in the nation. With over a million attorneys in the United States, choosing the best lawyer is difficult. However, through a stringent selection process, the NAOPIA awards the best Personal Injury attorneys in each state with our most prestigious honor of being named “TOP 10”. The very few attorneys (less than 1%) that are good enough to make our list have demonstrated an extraordinary amount of knowledge, skill, experience, expertise and success in their practice of Personal Injury.
The attorneys that make our list have to first be nominated by a licensed practicing attorney. Second, our research staff verifies that they meet the minimum requirements of membership. Then they have to be one of 50 attorneys chosen to advance to the final selection stage by our processing committee. And, finally they have to be selected by our Board of Governors as the “TOP 10”. We know it is a tough process but we wouldn’t have it any other way.
Lawdragon’s Top 3000
Mr. Morrell was also listed and identified as one of Lawdragon’s Top 3000 attorneys in the United States. This represents less than 1% of the legal profession. Lawdragon is a legal ranking and news service that provides expert analysis about lawyers and judges. Lawdragon describes its listing as the “most elite group of legal professionals compiled in the country.” The Lawdragon guide is created through a combination of online balloting and independent research based on reviews by clients and peers, as well as interviews with other legal professionals. The Lawdragon Top 3000 is considered “the ultimate guide to the best lawyers in the nation.”
American Board of Trial Advocates
Mr. Morrell was admitted into the American Board of Trial Advocates in 1989. This is a National Organization in which one must first qualify with a minimum number of civil jury trials, and then be nominated by ones peers. The number of members is limited. In Orange County, of the 10,000 or so attorneys, there are only about 100 that are members (as of 2004). In the entire United States there are less than 6000 members. This is staggering when one considers that there are over 200,000 attorneys in California alone.
Attorneys who are members of the American Board of Trial Advocates are considered to be “the best of the best.” If your attorney is a member of the American Board, then you know that you have an experienced well qualified attorney, who is able and ready to take your case to trial.
Certified Trial Specialist
Mr. Morrell is a “Certified Trial Specialist” with NBLSC Board Certified Lawyers. There are less then 120 attorneys in the State of California that have this certification given by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. A dedication to achieving and maintaining a high standard of practice is shared by those who obtain National Board of Trial Advocacy certification. Certificate holders undergo a thorough screening of their credentials, including: documentation of experience, judicial and peer references, an exam, and all disciplinary matters must be brought before any official body, whether public or private, for scrutiny by the NBLSC Standards Committee.
Elite Lawyers of America
In addition, Mr. Morrell is a life “Silver” member of Elite Lawyers of America. This membership is limited to those who have recovered more than $2 million on behalf of their clients.”
Board Certified Civil Trial Advocate
Mr. Morrell is also a Board Certified Civil Trial Advocate. He was so certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy (NBTA). There are less than 2000 attorneys (as of 2004) in the entire country that have been certified in this field by the NBTA. The NBTA is accredited by the ABA to certify lawyers in areas of civil advocacy. The Task Force on Lawyer Competence of the Conference of Chief Justices found: “The National Board of Trial Advocacy provides recognition for superior achievement in trial advocacy, uses a highly-structured examination to select it members and is an arduous process that employs a wide range of assessment methods and entails considerable cost to the candidate.” NBTA is the only national certification program for trial attorneys. It was “established to identify those attorney that have the experience and skill necessary to label themselves specialists.”
Board Certified for Civil Pretrial Advocate
Mr. Morrell is certified by the National Board of Civil Pretrial Practice Advocacy, as a Civil Pretrial Practice Advocate. This is the newest division of the National Board of Legal Specialty Certification.Best’s Directory of Recommended Insurance Attorneys
Best’s Directory of Recommended Insurance Attorneys has also accepted Mr. Morrell as one of their approved attorneys. This was the result of “the completion of a comprehensive application, and the feedback of insurance companies and self insureds familiar with Mr. Morrell, and his firm.”
National Institute of Trial Advocacy
Mr. Morrell has taught and lectured at the prestigious National Institute of Trial Advocacy. This is where attorneys go, or are sent by large law firms, to receive training in trial advocacy.
American College of Board Certified Attorneys (ACBCA)
The American College of Board Certified Attorneys (ACBCA) is a professional organization for attorneys who have been board certified by a recognized accrediting organization. The ACBCA supports activities to identify and recognize those attorneys who have met or exceeded rigorous certification standards relating to their area of practice.
Lecturer and Instructor
Mr. Morrell has also lectured, and taught other attorneys who are employed by insurance companies, to assist them in becoming better in the field of trial skills, which seminars were sponsored by the California State Bar.
Arbitrator and Mediator for the Orange County Superior, the Los Angeles Superior, and the San Bernardino Superior Courts
Mr. Morrell has been appointed by the Orange County Superior, the Los Angeles Superior, and the San Bernardino Superior Courts to act as an arbitrator and mediator to assist in the resolution of pending lawsuits.
Judge pro tem in the Orange County Superior Court
Rivers J. Morrell III also has served as a judge pro tem in the Orange County Superior Court.