Ward, Hocker & Thornton, PLLC is proud to have 11 lawyers awarded in the 2026 editions of The Best Lawyers in America® and the Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America, with two partners named Lawyer of the Year.
2026 Edition “Lawyer of the Year” Awards
Gregg E. Thornton
• Litigation – Insurance
Bradley C. Hooks
• Insurance Law
The Best Lawyers in America® 2026 Edition
Ashley Brown
• Appellate Practice
• Litigation – Construction
• Litigation – Insurance
• Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
Licha Farah, Jr.
• Appellate Practice
• Litigation – Construction
• Litigation – Insurance
• Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
George B. Hocker
• Litigation – Insurance
• Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
• Product Liability Litigation – Defendants
John O. Hollon
• Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants
• Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
• Product Liability Litigation – Defendants
Bradley C. Hooks
• Insurance Law
• Litigation – Insurance
• Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
Brian H. Stephenson
• Litigation – Insurance
• Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
Clay Thornton
• Litigation – Insurance
Gregg E. Thornton
• Insurance Law
• Litigation – Insurance
• Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
• Product Liability Litigation – Defendants
Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America 2026 Edition
Kaylee Collins
• Insurance Law
• Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
Maxwell D. Smith
• Commercial Litigation
• Insurance Law
• Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
• Product Liability Litigation – Defendants
John F. Shockley
• Insurance Law
• Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants
• Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
About Best Lawyers
Best Lawyers is the oldest and most respected lawyer ranking service in the world. For 40 years, Best Lawyers has assisted those in need of legal services to identify the lawyers best qualified to represent them in distant jurisdictions or unfamiliar specialties. Best Lawyers awards are published in leading local, regional and national publications across the globe.
Lawyers who are nominated for consideration are voted on by currently recognized Best Lawyers working in the same practice area and located in the same geographic region. Our awards and recognitions are based purely on the feedback we receive from these top lawyers. Those who receive high peer reviews undergo a thorough verification process to make sure they are currently still in private practice. Only then can these top lawyers be recognized by Best Lawyers.
