After more than a quarter of a century in publication, Best Lawyers is designating “Lawyers of the Year” in high-profile legal specialties in large legal communities. Only a single lawyer in each specialty in each community is being honored as the “Lawyer of the Year.”  Best Lawyers compiles its lists of outstanding attorneys by conducting exhaustive peer-review surveys in which thousands of leading lawyers confidentially evaluate their professional peers. The current, 16th edition of The Best Lawyers in America (2010), is based on more than 2.8 million detailed evaluations of lawyers by other lawyers.  The lawyers being honored as “Lawyers of the Year” have received particularly high ratings by earning a high level of respect among their peers for their abilities, professionalism, and integrity.

Steven Naifeh, Managing Editor of Best Lawyers, says, “We continue to believe – as we have believed for more than 25 years – that recognition by one’s peers is the most meaningful form of praise in the legal profession. We would like to congratulate Robert I. Whitelaw on being selected as the ‘Philadelphia Best Lawyers Family Lawyer of the Year’ for 2010.”

Whitelaw, co-chairman of the firm’s Litigation Department as well as chair of the firm’s Family Law Group, has over 39 years of experience practicing law at Obermayer. He has extensive experience in a wide variety of issues relating to marriage and family law, including division of property, alimony, tax matters, child custody, visitation and support, prenuptial agreements, adoption and paternity. He is an experienced advisor and litigator in partnership and corporate matters with respect to formation, succession and dissolution. He also has a comprehensive background in probate, fiduciary and administration of estates.

Whitelaw joined Obermayer in 1970 as an associate in the firm’s Fiduciary Department. He was made partner in 1978, became managing partner in 1986, and has held the position of co-chairman of the Litigation Department since 1983.

The information contained in this article should not be construed as legal advice, is not a substitute for legal counsel, and should not be relied on as such. For legal advice or answers to specific questions, please contact one of our attorneys.