Awards & Honors

We are pleased that our firm has been recognized by highly respected sources as a top environmental firm.

Chambers and Partners:

Chambers USA has ranked Nijman•Franzetti LLP as Band 1-Illinois Environmental law every year since 2014.  Jennifer Nijman, Susan Franzetti, and Lynn Grayson as Band 1-Leading Individuals for Illinois Environmental since 2009. Susan Brice  has been ranked for Environmental Litigation Law every year since 2019. www.chambersandpartners.com

Chambers ranks individual lawyers in their practice-area on the basis of legal knowledge and experience, ability, effectiveness, and client-service. Law-firm/departments are ranked on the qualities of their lawyers and the effectiveness and capability of the department as a whole – its strength and depth. Chambers conducts interviews with those active in the market – mainly clients and other lawyers with whom they work, and by assessing recent work done.

Leading Lawyers Network:

Susan Franzetti, Jennifer Nijman, and Lynn Grayson were listed in the top ten Environmental Lawyers in Illinois, Leading Lawyers Magazine—Real Estate, Construction & Environmental Edition, 2019.

Susan Brice was recognized in Environmental and Products Liability Defense Law every year since 2012.

In 2019, Kristen Gale was listed as a Leading Lawyer for Environmental Law in 2019. She was also selected as an “Emerging Lawyer” in Environmental Law, in 2015, 2016 and 2017, and was featured in the 2016 Leading Lawyers Magazine – (Kristen’s Emerging Lawyers Profile).

The Leading Lawyer distinction is the result of annual statewide surveys of more than 60,000 Illinois lawyers, and has been earned by fewer than 5 percent of all lawyers licensed in Illinois.

U.S. News-Best Lawyers:

Nijman•Franzetti LLP received a Tier 1 ranking in the 2021 Edition of U.S. News – Best Lawyers “Best Law Firms.

Susan Franzetti was named Chicago Environmental “Lawyer of the Year” in 2020. She has been a Best Lawyer every year since 2006 for environmental law and since 2011 for environmental litigation.

Jennifer Nijman was named the Chicago Litigation “Lawyer of the Year” in 2020. She has been a Best Lawyer every year since 2006 for environmental law and since 2011 for environmental litigation.

Lynn Grayson was named the Chicago Environmental “Lawyer of the Year” in 2021. Lynn was recognized in 2017 with the Best Lawyers “Women of Influence Award.” She has been a Best Lawyer every year since 2006 for environmental law and since 2015 for natural resource law.

Susan Brice has been a Best Lawyer every year since 2013 for environmental law.

The distinction of being included in Best Lawyers has been earned by fewer than one half of one percent of all lawyers in the country.  Inclusion is based on client feedback, high regard from lawyers in other firms, and general firm information.

Super Lawyers:

Jennifer Nijman, Susan Franzetti, and Lynn Grayson have been named Illinois Super Lawyers every year since 2005. Susan Brice has been named Illinois Super Lawyer since 2014.

In 2016, Lynn Grayson was featured in the Illinois Super Lawyers Magazine “E. Lynn Grayson—Product of Her Environment: Environmental Lawyer E. Lynn Grayson Saves Companies Green.”

The Super Lawyers list recognizes no more than five percent of attorneys in each state.  Peer nominations and evaluations are combined with independent research. Each candidate is evaluated on 12 indicators of peer recognition and professional achievement. Selections are made on an annual, state-by-state basis.

 

Other Honors:

Jennifer Nijman serves on the Editorial Board for the Environmental Liability, Enforcement and Penalties Reporter.

Jennifer Nijman – “Environmental Lawyer Balances Work and Civic Commitments with Aplomb,” Leading Lawyers Network Magazine, Women’s Edition, January 2008 Download PDF.

Jennifer Nijman – Awarded the Alta May Hulett Award by the Chicago Bar Association for highest standards of professional ethics and excellence and utilizing vision and leadership to advance women, 2001.

Jennifer Nijman –  Is an elected Fellow in the American College of Environmental Lawyers (ACOEL).

Jennifer Nijman – In 2020, the Chicago Bar Association presented Jennifer with their highest honor, the Justice John Paul Stevens Award.

Susan Franzetti – “Combining Client Service and Environmental Law”, Leading Lawyers Network Magazine, Real Estate, Construction and Environmental Edition, January 2009 Download PDF.

Susan Franzetti –  Is an elected Fellow in the American College of Environmental Lawyers (ACOEL).

Lynn Grayson is a member of the Environmental Law Institute’s Board of Directors.

Lynn Grayson was elected President of the Chicago Bar Association serving on the Executive Committee and Board of Managers.

Lynn Grayson – “Becoming a Master of Environmental Law”, Leading Lawyers Network Magazine, Business Edition, 2018 Download PDF.

Lynn Grayson – Received the first Alta May Hulett Award by the Chicago Bar Association for highest standards of professional ethics and excellence and utilizing vision and leadership to advance women, 2000.

Lynn Grayson – National Law Journal “Energy & Environmental Trailblazer”, 2016.

Lynn Grayson – Today’s Chicago Woman Magazine “100 Women to Watch” in 2012.

Lynn Grayson – Illinois State Bar Association’s Diversity Leadership Award in 2012.

Susan Brice – Marquis Who’s Who in America in 2019.

Susan Brice – Recognized by JD Supra for most popular 2017 article in food and beverage law.

Susan Brice – Recognized as a top civil defense lawyer in Illinois by Leading Lawyers.