Awards & Memberships

Recognized for Exceptional Legal Accomplishments

Awarded Trial Lawyer of the Year an Unprecedented 8 Times!

While our primary objective is to provide unparalleled legal representation rather than to secure awards, we take immense pride in our achievements. The acknowledgment and honors designating us as one of the leading law firms align with our goal of providing each and every client with award-winning representation.

Trial Lawyer of the Year

The yearly award given by the Santa Clara County Trial Lawyers Association considers both the monetary value of the case verdict or settlement along with the benefit or well-being to society.

In 2022, Lauren Cerri was honored for her then record-breaking verdict in a case against the Union School District. The case result sent shock waves across school districts in California and placed them on notice that failure to protect students from teacher sexual abuse would be prove to very costly.

Statewide Recognition by Consumer Attorneys of California

Uncovering the Largest Sexual Abuse Scandal in U.S. Sports History

Consumer Attorneys of California honored attorney Robert Allard and his legal team in 2012 by naming them as a finalist for the “Trial Attorney of the Year” award. In the case of Jane Doe v. United States Swimming, Allard's legal team uncovered the largest sexual abuse scandal in U.S. sports history (as covered by ABC-TV 20/20, ESPN and USA Today).
 
Jane Doe revealed that corruption penetrated the highest echelons at USA Swimming. The litigation forced USA Swimming to enact sweeping and comprehensive policies to address the epidemic of sexual abuse on the part of its coaches. Consumer Attorneys of California is a professional organization made up of nearly 3,000 attorneys who represent plaintiffs seeking accountability from those who do wrong.
 
Fighting for Rape Victims

Alongside her colleagues, Robert Allard and Mark Boskovich, Lauren Cerri was honored as a finalist for the 2015 Consumer Attorneys of California (CAOC) Trial Lawyer of the Year award and the CAOC Woman Attorney of the Year award for her work in the Audrie Pott case.

California Lawyer Attorneys of the Year (CLAY)

California Lawyer Magazine honored attorney Robert Allard with a CLAY award in 2012 for a series of lawsuits revealing the pervasive sexual abuse of young athletes by coaches in the sport of swimming. His advocacy prompted the U.S. Olympic Committee to implement its first-ever guidelines aimed at addressing abuse and molestation by coaches.

The CLAY Awards are given to California attorneys whose achievements had a significant impact on social good over the past year, or whose work is expected to have such an effect in the coming years. 

National Recognition for Protecting Athletes

For his efforts to reform the Olympic Movement, Mr. Allard was nationally recognized as the “Person of the Year” by a major swimming publication and one of the “Top 10 Most Impactful People in Swimming” by Swimming World.

Says Nancy Hogshead-Makar, J.D., CEO, Champion Women and 3X Olympic Gold Medalist, “Bob Allard has been THE lawyer responsible for court-room accountability for athlete sexual abuse inside the Olympic Movement over the past decade. Bob Allard’s long-term commitment and integrity is changing the landscape for athletes in sports by making the problem too expensive for the Olympic Movement to ignore.”

More Awards & Our Memberships

American Board of Trial Advocates

American Board of Trial Advocates ABOTA membership is by invitation only. Any trial lawyer who is of high personal character and honorable reputation and who is a member of the Bar of the State, province, district, territory or country in which he or she practices, and who also has met the qualifications as prescribed in Article III, Section 2 of the ABOTA Constitution may become a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates upon nomination, election, and payment of initiation fees and dues. The Foundation of ABOTA is to support the purposes of the American Board of Trial Advocates to preserve the constitutional vision of equal justice for all Americans and preserve our civil justice system for future generations.


Avvo 10.0 Rating

Avvo 10.0 Rating The Avvo Rating evaluates a lawyer's background and is calculated using a mathematical model which considers the information shown on the lawyer's Avvo profile, including years in practice, disciplinary history, professional achievements, and industry recognition.. Avvo.com rates ninety-seven percent of U.S. Lawyers and provides consumers with detailed information on attorneys and legal issues to help them make the choices that are right for them.


The Best Lawyers in America

The Best Lawyers in America Best Lawyers is the oldest and most respected peer-review publication in the legal profession. A listing in Best Lawyers is widely regarded by both clients and legal professionals as a significant honor, conferred on a lawyer by his or her peers. For more than three decades, Best Lawyers lists have earned the respect of the profession, the media, and the public, as the most reliable, unbiased source of legal referrals anywhere. Their lists of outstanding attorneys are compiled by conducting exhaustive peer-review surveys in which tens of thousands of leading lawyers confidentially evaluate their professional peers. If the votes for an attorney are positive enough for inclusion in Best Lawyers, that attorney must maintain those votes in subsequent polls to remain on the list for each edition. Lawyers are not permitted to pay any fee to participate in or be included on the lists.


U.S. News-Best Lawyers: Best Law Firms

Best Law Firms The U.S.News-Best Lawyers "Best Law Firms" rankings are based on a rigorous evaluation process that includes the collection of client and lawyer evaluations, peer review from leading attorneys in their field, and review of additional information provided by law firms as part of the formal submission process.


The Irish Legal 100

The Irish Legal 100 The Irish Legal 100 is compromised of some of the most accomplished and distinguished lawyers of the Irish descent from all across America. Lawyers are chosen from law schools, law firms, the Judiciary and industry. The Irish Legal 100 represents the vibrant Irish legal network and is designed to bring people together, foster modern relationships with Ireland, and to advance the interest of Irish America.

In 2011, Attorney B. Robert Allard was included in the The Irish Legal 100 list.


Martindale-Hubbell Top Rated Lawyers™ Program

Martindale-Hubbell AV Rating LexisNexis® Martindale-Hubbell® has long set the standard for lawyer ratings. The company publishes the Martindale-Hubbell Top Rated Lawyers list of those who have achieved an AV® Preeminent™ Peer Review Rating which represents the highest rating in legal ability and ethical standards. AV Preeminent® (4.5-5.0 on the scale) is a peer-review system which is a testament that a lawyer's peers rank him or her at the highest level of professional excellence.


The National Trial Lawyers

The National Trial Lawyers The National Trial Lawyers promotes excellence in the legal profession through practical educational programs, networking opportunities, and legal publications which deal with current issues facing trial attorneys. This national organization provides networking opportunities, advocacy training, and the highest quality educational programs for trial lawyers. The National Trial Lawyers association promotes excellence in the legal profession through practical educational programs, networking opportunities, and legal publications that deal with current issues facing The Trial Lawyer.


Street Fighter of the Year

Street Fighter of the Year The Consumer Attorneys of California (CAOC) is made up of outstanding advocates who battle powerful interests and hold wrongdoers accountable while making life better for all Californians. The CAOC sponsors the “Street Fighter of the Year” Awards to highlight the work done by California legal practitioners. This award is given to a plaintiff's lawyer who has litigated a case that creates a more just society, regardless of personal benefit or financial gain. Pro-bono work and landmark cases that may not have produced a substantial financial verdict are given special consideration.


Northern California Super Lawyers

Super Lawyers Super Lawyers is a rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high-degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. The selection process includes independent research, peer nominations and peer evaluations. Each year, the Super Lawyers list represents no more than 5 percent of the lawyers in the state.


Santa Clara County Trial Lawyer of the Year

Santa Clara County Trial Lawyers Association Trial lawyers work to ensure that any person who is injured by the misconduct and negligence of others can obtain justice in the courtroom, even when taking on powerful interests. The Santa Clara County Trial Lawyers Association (SCCTLA) member attorneys have an unwavering commitment to justice to ensure that every individual is on a level playing field in the courtroom and is able to hold wrongdoers accountable.


Santa Clara County Bar Association

Santa Clara County Bar Association The Santa Clara County Bar Association provides education and support to member attorneys, advances the local administration of justice, and serves the public by fostering improved public understanding of and access to the legal system. SCCBA members for decades have had a reputation for the highest standard of professionalism in the practice of law.


State Bar of California

State Bar of California California State Bar applicants must pass a rigorous three-day examination, a test of their knowledge of the Rules of Professional Conduct, and a screening for moral character. The process is considered one of the toughest in the nation and is administered by the Committee of Bar Examiners (CBE). Maintaining the highest standards of the legal profession and ensuring the competent delivery of legal services are the highest priorities for the California State Bar.

Client Reviews
★★★★★

“Working with CBA has been a truly remarkable experience. They exude genuineness, openness, and transparency, transforming a challenging situation into a positive one. Lauren, in particular, consistently displayed empathy, ensuring a comfortable and safe environment throughout.”

Jane Doe v. San Francisco Unified School District

Jane Doe
★★★★★

“Every step of the way, Lauren gave me hope when I felt hopeless, and she gave me help when I felt helpless. Lauren was the attorney who I knew was in my corner, and she will undoubtedly continue to be in the corner of survivors to hold their abuser and institution accountable.”

Jane Doe 2 v. East Side Union High School District

Jane Doe 2
★★★★★

“What happened to me needed to be addressed. I missed out on such an important part of my life, while my institution made no qualms. You don’t get to push kids under a rug. I’m glad I was given an opportunity to address my broken life.”

Jane Doe v. Saratoga–Los Gatos Union High School District

Jane Doe
★★★★★
“My family and I were so thankful for the law services and guidance received during a very emotional and challenging time; the care, sensitivity and professionalism with which our case was handled provided us with a sense of calm, clarity and confidence that we could not have navigated on our own or for each other.” Mary Doe
American Board of Trial Advocates
The Best Lawyers in America
Best Law Firms
AVVO
The National Trial Lawyers
California Lawyer