The Durham-based law firm Kornbluth Ginsberg Law Group, P.A. announced that five of its attorneys have received recognition from Super Lawyers for 2026. Super Lawyers, a respected attorney-ranking organization, has honored Michael A. Kornbluth, Kevin B. Ginsberg, and Jesse S. Shapiro as Super Lawyers, while Joseph Hjelt and Andrew W. Legg were named Rising Stars.
According to the Super Lawyers website, only 5 percent of attorneys nationwide receive Super Lawyers honors, and just 2.5 percent are named as Rising Stars. The distinction between the two categories is significant: Super Lawyers honors are for attorneys with years of experience, while Rising Stars recognize up-and-coming attorneys who are newer to the profession.
Michael A. Kornbluth received particularly notable recognition, being listed in both the Top 100: North Carolina Super Lawyers and the Top 25: Raleigh Super Lawyers. This marks Kornbluth's 13th year as a Super Lawyer, following three years as a Rising Star. He was recognized in multiple practice areas including Employment Litigation: Plaintiff, Employment & Labor: Employer, Civil Rights, Personal Injury - General: Plaintiff, and Workers' Compensation: Claimant.
Kevin B. Ginsberg earned his third consecutive year of Super Lawyers recognition in the practice areas of Personal Injury - General: Plaintiff and Workers' Compensation: Claimant. Jesse S. Shapiro received his first Super Lawyers recognition in Workers' Compensation and Personal Injury, having previously been listed in Rising Stars from 2011 to 2013.
Joseph Hjelt was named a Rising Star in the practice area of Employment & Labor, marking his second recognition since first being named in 2021. Andrew W. Legg received Rising Stars honors in Employment Litigation and Employment & Labor, his first such recognition since being named in 2024.
The selection process used by Super Lawyers is notable for its rigor. According to the organization's website, Super Lawyers uses a patented selection process created and led by legal professionals. Each candidate is evaluated on 12 indicators of peer recognition and professional achievement, with the objective of creating a credible, comprehensive and diverse listing of outstanding attorneys that can be used as a resource for attorneys and consumers searching for legal counsel.
For business leaders and technology professionals, this recognition carries significant implications. The legal expertise represented by these honors spans critical areas affecting businesses today, particularly employment law, workers' compensation, and personal injury litigation. As companies navigate increasingly complex regulatory environments and workplace challenges, having access to top-tier legal counsel in these specific practice areas becomes essential for risk management and compliance.
The concentration of honors in employment-related practice areas is particularly relevant for technology companies and startups that frequently face complex employment law issues. The recognition of both established attorneys and rising stars suggests the firm maintains both depth of experience and a pipeline of emerging talent, providing clients with comprehensive legal support across career stages.
For the legal industry specifically, such recognitions serve as important market signals that help businesses identify qualified counsel. The rigorous selection criteria and low percentage of attorneys who receive these honors provide a valuable filtering mechanism for organizations seeking legal representation in specialized practice areas.
