Kevin Hulslander has been named to the prestigious Top 10 list by Super Lawyers for 2026 in the field of Civil Litigation, marking his tenth 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 2026:
- Alan Bedenko – Personal Injury – General.
- Kristen Benson – General Litigation, Personal Injury – General, Schools & Education, Civil Litigation, and Employment Litigation.
- Ken Boyd – Civil Litigation.
- John Coghlan – Medical Malpractice, Civil Litigation, and Employment Litigation.
- Jim Cunningham – Personal Injury – Defense, Transportation/Maritime, and Professional Liability.
- Chris DeFrancesco – Civil Litigation, Personal Injury – General, and Professional Liability.
- Karen Felter – Civil Litigation, Appellate, Business Litigation, Employment Litigation, and Insurance Coverage.
- Eric Johnson – Personal Injury – Medical Malpractice.
- Brandon King – Personal Injury – General, Personal Injury – Medical Malpractice, and Personal Injury – Products.
- Jim Lantier – Personal Injury – Medical Malpractice, Civil Litigation, Administrative Law, Alternative Dispute Resolution, and Health Care.
- Kristin Norfleet – Personal Injury – General, Civil Litigation, and Workers’ Compensation.
- Victor Prial -Civil Litigation, Personal Injury – General, Personal Injury – Products, and Professional Liability.
- Edward Smith – Personal Injury – General and Personal Injury – Medical Malpractice.
- Steven Williams – General Litigation, Personal Injury – General, Employment & Labor, and Professional Liability.
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 two attorneys who have been recognized as Rising Stars in 2026. 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:
- Thomas DeBernardis – Personal Injury – General and Civil Litigation (Rising Star since 2021).
- Gardar Olafsson – Civil Litigation (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, Fishkill, and Uniondale, has been delivering client-driven results with a winning attitude for over 80 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.
