PLF in a Top Tier in U.S. News’ 2011-12 “Best Law Firms” Rankings

Sacramento, CA; November 1, 2011: Pacific Legal Foundation is given a "Top Tier" listing in the 2011-12 "Best Law Firms" Rankings, released today by U.S. Media Group (publisher of U.S. News & World Report) in partnership with "Best Lawyers."

The rankings, based on surveys of thousands of law firms in 75 practice areas, are posted online.

PLF is listed under "Metropolitan Top-Tier Rankings," in the "Sacramento" category, for the specialty, "Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law."

Donor-supported PLF was founded in 1973, in Sacramento, by aides to then-Governor Ronald Reagan, after Reagan expressed the need for a legal organization to defend the public's interest in limited government, property rights, and free enterprise. PLF is still based in Sacramento, with regional offices in Florida and Washington State, and liaison offices in Alaska and Hawaii.

"Achieving a high ranking [in the Best Law Firms rankings] is a special distinction that signals a unique combination of excellence and breadth of expertise," according to a release announcing the listings, by U.S. News and Best Lawyers. The rankings are based on broad surveys of hard data, peer reviews, and client assessments.

Best Law Firms recognition coincides
with PLF's latest property-rights case at the U.S. Supreme Court

James S. Burling Litigation Director

"Again this year, PLF has been cited as a leader in property rights litigation by the Best Law Firms rankings, and we are very honored by this recognition," said PLF Litigation Director James S. Burling. "The top tier ranking of PLF reflects our unsurpassed record as a watchdog for property rights at all levels of the judiciary. Indeed, it is fitting that we should receive this recognition in a year in which the U.S. Supreme Court has accepted another one of our high-profile property rights cases for its current docket. This litigation, Sackett v. EPA, challenges the abuse of property rights by unelected federal regulators, and aims to establish a landmark precedent that makes EPA regulators accountable to the courts for their decisions about property owners' rights. The Sackett case marks the seventh time in PLF's 38-year history that the Supreme Court has accepted a PLF case for review. We have been victorious in all but one of our past cases at the High Court, and PLF's victories have established celebrated precedents that are known to every law student in the land, and every practitioner in the areas of property rights and individual rights."

Tim Smart, Executive Editor of U.S. News & World Report, issued this statement about the 2011-12 Best Law Firms rankings: "U.S. News has more than two decades of experience in providing the public with the most accurate and in-depth rankings of a wide range of institutions, including our Best Law Schools rankings. Law firms are an integral part of our rankings and a natural accompaniment to the law school rankings."

Steven Naifeh, President of Best Lawyers, issued this statement about the rankings: "By combining hard data with peer reviews, and client assessments, we continue to believe that we are providing clients with the most thorough, accurate, and helpful rankings of law firms ever developed."

About the U.S. News Media Group
The U.S. News Media Group is a multi-platform digital publisher of news and analysis, which includes U.S. News & World Report magazine, the digital-only U.S. News Weekly magazine, www.usnews.com, and www.rankingsandreviews.com.

About Best Lawyers
Best Lawyers © is the oldest and most respected peer-review publication in the legal profession. The 2012 edition of The Best Lawyers in America is based on more than 3.9 million detailed evaluations of lawyers by other lawyers.

About Pacific Legal Foundation
Donor-supported Pacific Legal Foundation (www.pacificlegal.org) is the leading watchdog organization that litigates for limited government, property rights, individual rights, free enterprise, and a balanced approach to environmental regulations, in courts nationwide.

PLF attorneys are currently in front of the U.S. Supreme Court in a landmark challenge to federal power: Sackett v. EPA: www.pacificlegal.org/sackett. Oral argument in that case is expected to take place early in 2012.