Business Law Southwest Celebrates Triple Recognition in 2026 Best Lawyers® Awards
Business Law Southwest has achieved a remarkable milestone in legal recognition, earning prestigious accolades across three separate categories in the 2026 Best Lawyers® awards. The firm’s dedication to legal excellence has been validated through its inclusion in Best Law Firms®, while three of its attorneys have received individual honors that showcase their professional expertise and peer recognition.
This comprehensive recognition represents more than just awards – it demonstrates the firm’s unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional legal services and maintaining the highest standards of professional excellence in the legal industry.
Best Law Firms® Recognition: A Testament to Excellence
Business Law Southwest has been recognized in the 2026 edition of Best Law Firms®, achieving a Regional Tier 2 ranking in Commercial Litigation for the Albuquerque metropolitan area. This distinction places the firm among the top 4% of law firms in the industry, a achievement that reflects years of consistent quality and client satisfaction.
The Best Law Firms® ranking system employs a rigorous evaluation process that combines both qualitative and quantitative data from peer and client reviews. This transparent, collaborative research process uses proprietary algorithmic technology to create industry-led rankings that legal professionals and clients trust worldwide.
Philip Greer, Chief Executive Officer of Best Lawyers, emphasized the significance of this recognition: “At Best Lawyers, we are proud to recognize law firms that show an unwavering commitment to excellence, innovation, and client satisfaction. In the legal arena, credibility is earned through consistent quality, which has propelled these firms to the forefront of the legal industry.”
What Makes Best Law Firms® Rankings Special
The Best Law Firms® rankings carry particular weight in the legal industry because of their stringent requirements. To be considered for this recognition, at least one lawyer in the firm must be included in The Best Lawyers in America®. This prerequisite ensures that only firms with proven legal talent can achieve this status.
Firms are categorized into three tiers and receive recognition on both national and metropolitan levels. The tier designation represents elite status, reflecting the integrity and reputation that law firms have earned through consistent performance and client service.
The 2026 edition includes rankings in 75 national practice areas and 127 metropolitan-based practice areas, making the competition exceptionally competitive. Business Law Southwest’s achievement in this context demonstrates their standing among the region’s premier legal practices.
Individual Attorney Recognition: Excellence in Legal Practice
Donald F. Kochersberger III: Best Lawyers® in Commercial Litigation
Donald F. Kochersberger III has been included in the 2026 edition of The Best Lawyers in America® for Commercial Litigation. This recognition represents peer acknowledgment of his exceptional skill and expertise in handling complex commercial disputes.
Since its first publication in 1983, The Best Lawyers in America® has become the definitive guide to legal excellence. The selection process involves exhaustive peer-review surveys where thousands of leading lawyers confidentially evaluate their fellow legal professionals within their local markets and specialties.
Kochersberger’s inclusion reflects his reputation among peers who recognize his professional competence, ethical standards, and effectiveness in commercial litigation matters. This peer-driven recognition carries particular significance because lawyers cannot pay to be listed – making it a true honor based on merit alone.
Alicia M. LaPado: Best Lawyers® in Commercial Litigation
Alicia M. LaPado has also earned recognition in the 2026 edition of The Best Lawyers in America® for Commercial Litigation. Her inclusion alongside Kochersberger demonstrates the depth of talent within Business Law Southwest’s commercial litigation practice.
LaPado’s recognition reflects her professional excellence and the respect she has earned from peers in the legal community. The Best Lawyers® methodology ensures that only attorneys who consistently demonstrate superior legal ability and ethical standards receive this distinction.
Her achievement highlights the firm’s strength in commercial litigation, showing that Business Law Southwest has multiple attorneys who meet the highest standards of legal practice in this demanding area of law.
Kelly Davis: Best Lawyers® Ones to Watch
Kelly Davis has been recognized in the 2026 edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America for Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships) and Commercial Litigation. This recognition specifically acknowledges associates and lawyers earlier in their careers who demonstrate outstanding professional excellence.
The Ones to Watch program fills an important gap by recognizing emerging legal talent. Unlike traditional Best Lawyers awards, this program focuses on attorneys who are building their reputations and establishing themselves as future leaders in their practice areas.
Davis’s dual recognition in both Business Organizations and Commercial Litigation showcases her versatility and expertise across multiple practice areas. This breadth of knowledge makes her particularly valuable to clients who need comprehensive legal counsel for complex business matters.
The Significance of Peer Recognition in Legal Practice
These awards carry exceptional weight because they represent peer recognition rather than marketing achievements. The legal profession values peer review above all other forms of recognition, and these awards reflect the professional respect that Business Law Southwest and its attorneys have earned within the legal community.
Rigorous Selection Process
Best Lawyers’ methodology has earned respect across the profession, media, and public as the most reliable and unbiased source of legal referrals. The selection process involves several key steps:
- Peer Nomination: Lawyers must be nominated by their peers in the same practice areas and geographic regions
- Confidential Surveys: Thousands of leading lawyers participate in confidential evaluations of their colleagues
- Authentication Process: All candidates undergo verification to ensure they are in current practice and good standing
- Geographic and Practice Area Division: Recognition is specific to both location and legal specialty
This comprehensive approach ensures that only attorneys who truly excel in their practice areas receive recognition.
Building Client Trust
For clients seeking legal representation, these recognitions provide valuable guidance in selecting counsel. The awards serve as independent validation of an attorney’s capabilities and reputation within the legal community.
Phillip Greer, CEO of Best Lawyers, noted: “Clients trust Best Lawyers as a credible and reliable way to identify the most elite lawyers, and it is with great pride that we continue to provide this valued service.”
Business Law Southwest’s Commitment to Excellence
These multiple recognitions reflect Business Law Southwest’s institutional commitment to legal excellence. The firm’s success across different award categories demonstrates several key strengths:
Depth of Talent
Having three attorneys recognized across different experience levels shows that the firm attracts and develops exceptional legal talent. From established practitioners like Kochersberger and LaPado to emerging talent like Davis, the firm maintains high standards throughout its ranks.
Practice Area Excellence
The concentration of awards in commercial litigation, combined with Davis’s recognition in business organizations, highlights the firm’s particular strength in serving business clients. This focus allows the firm to develop deep expertise in the legal challenges that businesses face.
Regional Leadership
The firm’s recognition in the Albuquerque market demonstrates its position as a regional leader. In a competitive legal market, achieving this level of recognition requires consistent performance and client satisfaction.
Looking Forward: Continued Excellence
These 2026 recognitions represent current achievements while also positioning Business Law Southwest for continued success. The firm’s investment in developing talent like Kelly Davis ensures that its reputation for excellence will continue into the future.
The legal industry continues to evolve, with clients demanding increasingly sophisticated legal services. Business Law Southwest’s recognition across multiple categories shows its ability to meet these evolving needs while maintaining the traditional values of legal excellence that clients expect.
Conclusion: A Foundation for Future Success
Business Law Southwest’s triple recognition in the 2026 Best Lawyers® awards represents more than individual achievements – it demonstrates the firm’s comprehensive commitment to legal excellence. From seasoned practitioners to emerging talent, from firm-wide recognition to individual honors, these awards showcase a legal practice that consistently delivers exceptional service to its clients.
For businesses seeking legal counsel in the Albuquerque area and beyond, these recognitions provide confidence that Business Law Southwest has the expertise, reputation, and commitment to excellence necessary to handle complex legal challenges. The firm’s continued investment in legal talent and client service ensures that this tradition of excellence will continue for years to come.
As the legal landscape continues to evolve, Business Law Southwest’s foundation of recognized expertise positions the firm to meet future challenges while maintaining the high standards that have earned it recognition among the region’s premier legal practices.
