Kevin Hulslander has been named to the prestigious Top 10 list by Super Lawyers for 2025 in the field of Civil Litigation, marking his ninth appearance on the Top 10 list since 2007. Kevin has also been included in the Top 50 list every year since 2008.
Smith Sovik is also proud to acknowledge the following attorneys who have been named Super Lawyers in 2025:
- Alan Bedenko – Personal Injury – Defense
- Kristen Benson – General Litigation
- Ken Boyd – Civil Litigation – Defense
- Jim Cunningham – Personal Injury – Defense
- Chris DeFrancesco – Civil Litigation – Defense
- Karen Felter – Civil Litigation – Defense
- Eric Johnson – Medical Malpractice – Defense
- Brandon King – Personal Injury – Defense
- Jim Lantier – Medical Malpractice – Defense
- Kristin Norfleet – Personal Injury – Defense
- Victor Prial – Civil Litigation – Defense
- Daniel Ryan – Personal Injury – Defense
- Edward Smith – Personal Injury – Defense
- Jaclyn Wanemaker – Personal Injury – Defense
- Steven Williams – General Litigation
No more than 5 percent of lawyers in a state can be named to Super Lawyers. The selection process for Super Lawyers involves four steps. First, an attorney must be nominated for consideration as a Super Lawyer. Second, Super Lawyers conducts independent research into various aspects of the practice of law. Third, the top attorneys in an area evaluate candidates in a “blue ribbon review.” Finally, Super Lawyers performs final selection research before publishing its local lists.
Smith Sovik is also proud to celebrate the firm’s four attorneys who have been recognized as Rising Stars in 2025. The Rising Stars list honors outstanding lawyers who are either 40 years old or younger or who have been in practice for 10 years or less. The following Smith Sovik attorneys have been recognized as Rising Stars:
- John Coghlan – Medical Malpractice – Defense (Rising Star since 2017)
- Thomas DeBernardis – Personal Injury – Defense (Rising Star since 2021)
- John D. Goldman – Personal Injury – Defense (Rising Star since 2014)
- Gardar Olafsson – Civil Litigation – Defense (Rising Star since 2023)
The selection process for Super Lawyers and Rising Stars is rigorous and highly competitive. Only up to 5 percent of lawyers in each state are named to Super Lawyers, and no more than 2.5 percent are named to the Rising Stars list. The process involves peer nominations, independent research, peer evaluations, and final selection to ensure that only the most distinguished attorneys are recognized.
Smith Sovik, a boutique civil litigation firm based in Syracuse with offices in Buffalo, White Plains, and Uniondale, has been delivering client-driven results with a winning attitude for over 75 years. Our tradition of excellence in the courtroom is reflected in the consistent recognition of our attorneys as Best Lawyers and Super Lawyers by our peers.
