Top Lawyers of America · California Chapter
The flagship chapter of a national society — convened to recognize the most consequential attorneys practicing in the State of California, and to bring them together, twice each year, in places worthy of the company.
Inaugural California Class — 2026
No. 01 — The Society
Top Lawyers of America is not a ranking you can purchase, nor a badge you apply for. It is a national society that admits its fellows through state chapters — and California is its first.
Within each chapter, membership is extended by invitation, following nomination by a sitting fellow and confirmation by the chapter's Membership Committee. Each year a small number of attorneys are inducted into the Class — never more than the year deserves. California convenes its inaugural Class in 2026.
What binds the membership is not a logo. It is the standing of one's peers, the mentorship of those who came before, the discretion of a closed room, and two annual retreats where the most interesting lawyers in the state are, for a few days, in one place.
No. 02 — The Chapters
Top Lawyers of America admits its fellows through independent state chapters — each with its own membership, committee, and retreats. California leads; further chapters charter across the country in 2027.
No. 03 — Selection
A sitting fellow puts forward a candidate, in writing, attesting to the significance of their work. Self-nomination is not recognized.
The Membership Committee examines the candidate's record — verdicts, settlements, appellate work, scholarship, and standing among adversaries.
Induction requires the assent of the Committee. There is no quota to fill and no fee to advance. Many years, few are added.
New fellows are received into the Class at the winter retreat, and take their place among the membership for life.
No. 04 — Mentorship & Development
A fellowship is not an honor you hang on the wall. From the day they are inducted, fellows gain the mentorship, instruction, and standing that build a consequential career — and a more marketable one.
Every incoming fellow is paired with a senior member — a confidential sounding board on the matters, decisions, and inflection points that rarely have easy answers.
Closed-door sessions on trial craft, appellate strategy, and the business of law — led by the bar's most formidable practitioners and members of the bench.
A standing referral network among fellows, profile elevation, and placement for speaking and press — the things that compound a reputation and a book of business.
Accelerated programming for newer attorneys: cohort education, skills intensives, and a path to becoming the lawyer others are sent to.
We do not only recognize the top of the profession — we help build it.
No. 05 — The Retreats
Two gatherings anchor the calendar — a winter convening on the Atlantic and a summer convening on the Bay. Attendance is reserved to fellows and their invited guests.
Winter Convening
January · Miami, Florida
Three days on Biscayne Bay given over to closed roundtables, an induction dinner for the incoming Class, and the unhurried conversation that only happens away from the office. Held each January at a private waterfront residence.
Summer Convening
July · San Francisco, California
A long weekend in the city where the society was founded — vineyard excursions north of the Bay, the Annual Address, and the fellowship's signature rooftop reception above the Embarcadero.
No. 06 — The Membership
Membership is held in confidence. Shown here are the disciplines represented across the California Chapter's inaugural Class.
The fellowship is published privately to the Class.
No. 07 — Gatherings
No. 08 — Admittance
If you believe an attorney belongs among the fellowship — or wish to be considered yourself — you may submit them for the Committee's attention. Submissions are read in confidence.
Invitation does not follow from submission. The Committee extends membership at its sole discretion.