TALLAHASSEE – Up-and-coming attorneys need to ask themselves a serious question as they focus on what their career will be, a Tallahassee attorney recently named to the 2016 Florida Super Lawyers list said during a recent interview.
"Young attorneys should ask themselves: 'What value have I brought and can I bring to the firm and its clients?,'" Douglas Rillstone, a partner who practices environmental law in Broad and Cassel's Tallahassee office, said during a Florida Record email interview. "A focus on this value add will help up-and-coming attorneys down a successful career path. Simply put, exceed the firm’s and client’s expectations and make yourself an invaluable part of the team."
Douglas Rillstone
| Photo courtesy of Broad and Cassel
Rillstone is among three attorneys in Broad and Cassel's Tallahassee office to be named to the 2016 Florida Super Lawyers list, according to a press release recently issued by the firm. The other two are Charles Stratton, a partner who practices eminent domain law, and M. Stephen Turner, a managing partner who practices business litigation.
The prestigious list is published each year by Super Lawyers Magazine to recognize the top lawyers in Florida. Attorneys on the list are chosen in what Super Lawyers describes on its website as a patented multiphase selection process that includes peer nomination, independent research and peer evaluation. "The Florida lawyers who receive the highest point totals during this selection process are further recognized in Florida Super Lawyers Top Lists," the Super Lawyers website says.
Rillstone, Stratton and Turner were among 34 Broad and Cassel attorneys the firm's seven Florida officers to make the list this year, according to the firm's press release. Of those, 12 Broad and Cassel attorney were recognized as Rising Stars by Florida Super Lawyers Magazine. The annual list was published earlier this month.
"It truly is an honor to be recognized as a 2016 Florida Super Lawyer, an accolade reflecting peer recommendations and professional achievement," Rillstone said.
However, Rillstone said being named to the Florida Super Lawyer list is more than just recognition.
"While it certainly adds to other accolades, it’s my focus on client service, solving the client's challenge and years of expertise where I bring the most value to the firm," he said.
Rillstone has made the Florida Super lawyers list every year since 2006. Rillstone, who is chairperson of the Broad and Cassel's Land Use and Environmental Law Practice Group and a member of the Real Estate and Government Relations Practice groups, also is active in a number of Tallahassee area professional and community organizations. They include the Association of Florida Community Developers, Florida Home Builders Association and the Pacific Legal Foundation. His previous honors and awards include Chambers USA's Guide to America’s Leading Business Lawyers - Land Use and Environmental Law attorney, from 2006 to 2016; The Best Lawyers in America for environmental law from 2006 to 2009 and 2011-2016; and Achieved AV Preeminent Peer Review Rating with Martindale-Hubbell.
Of the 34 Broad and Cassel attorneys named to the 2016 Florida Super Lawyers list, five are celebrating their 10th year on the list this year. In addition to Rillstone, they are Daniel S. Newman, Mike Segal, and Stephen Siegel in the Miami office; and Mark R. Osherow in the West Palm Beach office.
In addition, 12 Broad and Cassel attorneys were named to the 2016 Florida Rising Stars list, ranking them among the state's top up-and-coming attorneys. Less than 3 percent of attorneys in the state make it to the Rising Stars.