Woods Fuller Attorneys Recognized in 2027 “Best Lawyers” Rankings
Woods Fuller is proud to announce that 17 shareholders and attorneys have been included in the 33rd edition of The Best Lawyers in America®, with two receiving "Lawyer of the Year" honors and two being recognized in the Sixth Edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America®.
Each year, more than 20 million confidential evaluations are collected worldwide, contributing to one of the legal industry’s most rigorous and trusted vetting processes. Only about 5% of lawyers in the United States and 3% globally are recognized, reflecting the selectivity and credibility of the results. Proprietary safeguards are in place to reduce bias and uphold the accuracy of the peer feedback.
For the 2027 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®, more than 30 million evaluations were analyzed. The Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America recognitions were determined based on more than 6 million evaluations.
Woods Fuller would like to congratulate James E. Moore and Ryan W. Snell on receiving 2027 "Lawyer of the Year" awards. "Lawyer of the Year" accolades are reserved for one individual per practice area in each metropolitan region, based on the highest aggregate peer feedback. This designation represents a rare and distinguished honor. James was recognized for Insurance Law in Sioux Falls, and Ryan was recognized for Mergers and Acquisitions Law in Sioux Falls.
We would also like to recognize the following lawyers named to the 2027 Best Lawyers in America® list:
Melanie Carpenter: Employment Law – Management (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2016)
Dan Harmelink: Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law, Real Estate Law (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2024)
Vince Jones: Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), Corporate Law, Real Estate Law, Energy Law (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2020)
Craig Krogstad: Trusts and Estates (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2027)
Beth Lewis: Banking and Finance Law, Commercial Finance Law, Commercial Transactions/ UCC Law, Corporate Law, Real Estate Law (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2013)
Lisa Maguire: Trusts and Estates (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2026)
Carey Miller: Real Estate Law (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2024)
James Moore: Insurance Law (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2007)
Heath Oberloh: Corporate Law (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2013)
Justin Smith: Insurance Law (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2024)
Ryan Snell: Commercial Finance Law, Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2018)
Heather Springer: Employment Law - Management, Health Care Law (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2007)
Greg Starnes: Corporate Law, Real Estate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2022)
Jim Wiederrich: Administrative / Regulatory Law, Banking and Finance Law, Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2011)
Jennifer Wosje: Workers' Compensation Law – Employers (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2027)
Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch recognizes attorneys in the earlier stages of their careers for outstanding professional excellence in private practice. We are proud of the following Woods Fuller attorneys for this recognition:
Seth Lopour: Family Law, Government Relations Practice (Recognized in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America since 2025)
Jacob Schneider: Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Construction (Recognized in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America since 2026)
For more than four decades, Best Lawyers publications have earned the respect of the profession, the media, and the public as the most reliable, unbiased source of legal referrals anywhere. Candidates can only be considered for one recognition at a time, either Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch or traditional Best Lawyers awards.
Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch is not a feeder program for traditional Best Lawyers recognition. All candidates must be independently nominated and vetted by peers who are recognized by Best Lawyers.
Lawyers are not required or allowed to pay a fee to be listed; therefore, recognition by Best Lawyers is considered a singular honor.