We make a big to-do about the A-List here at The American Lawyer, though I sometimes wonder if the profession really gives a hoot. I recently participated in a webinar with my colleagues Gina Passarella, Dan Packel and Patrick Fuller about A-List trends, and what jumped out at me is how some very prestigious firms aren’t anywhere close to being on it.

Created by former American Lawyer editor Aric Press, the A-List is the Oscars of the profession—both for the prestige of the recognition and the length of the speeches at the annual dinner (though, obviously, not this year). Doled out to 20 winners each year, firms are ranked based on financial performance and corporate citizenship.