Daily Journal 2025 Editorial Calendar Webinar

On Tuesday, Oct. 22, Special Projects Editor Arin Mikailian and Legal Editor Diana Bosetti led a webinar to present the Daily Journal's 2025 Editorial Calendar. Attendees actively engaged, raising numerous questions about how to successfully nominate attorneys for the Daily Journal's top lawyer lists and how to contribute content to special supplements. A key focus was on how to improve an attorney's chances of being included in a top lawyer list. The best approach is to regularly submit newsworthy matters featuring the attorney throughout the year. Attorneys frequently covered by the Daily Journal's journalists stand the strongest chance of being recognized on these lists.

Below is a summary of those questions and answers.

What's your deadline for submitting columns to be featured in the Daily Journal's inaugural email to small businesses on Nov. 1?

This Friday, Oct. 25. Hurry up!

How do I submit articles for future emails to small businesses?

The process is the same as all attorney-written submissions. Reach out to Diana Bosetti as soon as possible with a pitch. The article is due in the third week of the month. The only difference is that we ask that these articles not be too legalistic. Explain to business leaders in laypersons terms why the issue you are writing about will impact them.

The portal for submitting attorneys for lists in 2025 is now open. Is there a benefit to submitting this early?

Submitting early does not boost one's odds of getting on a list. Getting started early does help the submitter spot any issues with a nomination that might need to be sorted out, and to ask the Daily Journal for any needed clarification.

What advice do you have for crafting a strong submission?

While there isn't a set formula for a winning submission, the key is to tell a compelling story. Focus on why the attorney's work is impactful -- how it has influenced the development of case law, shaped the legal profession, or made a difference in broader society. Although we conduct our own research, including links to supplemental materials-- particularly articles from other news outlets that highlight the significance of the work -- can be helpful in reinforcing the submission.

Do you honor requests to keep a matter confidential?

Absolutely! Just be sure to clearly mark any confidential matters -- using all caps works well. Additionally, please provide details on other non-confidential cases that can be included in the attorney's profile. This ensures we have enough material to write a well-rounded profile while respecting confidentiality.

Does submitting confidential matters reduce an attorney's chances of being recognized?

No, it doesn't affect their chances of recognition. However, it can make it more challenging for our writers when preparing the attorney's profile for the supplement. If the attorney has no other non-confidential matters to share, be ready to discuss the nature of the confidential work in general terms to provide enough context for the profile.

Is it more difficult for smaller or midsize firms to be recognized on lists compared to larger firms?

Not at all! We make a conscious effort to feature a diverse range of attorneys from all sizes of law firms, agencies, and nonprofits. The key to standing out is telling a compelling story in the nomination, highlighting why the attorney's work is impactful. Firm size is not a factor -- it's the strength of the story that matters most.

Do attorneys from Southern California have a better chance of being recognized than those from Northern California?

No, our lists are designed to highlight the best attorneys from across the state. However, some lists may appear to lean toward a particular region because that's where most attorneys in certain practice areas are based. For example, lists featuring technology attorneys often focus on the Bay Area, while entertainment attorneys are typically concentrated in Los Angeles. Ultimately, geographic location doesn't influence selection -- it's the attorney's expertise and impact that matters.

Does submitting an attorney multiple times for a top lawyer list improve their chances of being selected?

We encourage you to submit an attorney as often as they have a fresh story to tell about their practice. However, an attorney can only be featured on the Top 40 Under 40 list once, and we aim to limit how often a law firm appears on the Top Boutiques list. While a boutique can be featured more than once, it's typically not in consecutive years.

Can a firm submit multiple lawyers for the same supplement, or will that affect their chances of being selected?

There is no limit on the number of attorneys a firm can submit or have selected. However, submitting more names doesn't increase your chances of selection. It's best to be strategic in your submissions, as it's uncommon for more than two or three attorneys from the same firm to be chosen for any given list.

What type of research is conducted when selecting attorneys for these lists?

We base our selections primarily on the nominations received. Many attorneys who are chosen are featured in articles we publish throughout the year. In addition to nominations, we also look at other news sources and sometimes review case details to gain a fuller picture of an attorney's impact.

How do you determine whether someone is placed on the Top Women Lawyers list versus the Top 100 Lawyers list?

The Top Women Lawyers list was originally created during a time when fewer women were leading major cases, a general requirement for inclusion on the Top 100 Lawyers list. Today, many of the most important legal matters in the nation are led by women, so the Top Women Lawyers list now serves to showcase a broader range of successful women in the profession. Women can still be selected for the Top 100 Lawyers list as well -- being on one list doesn't exclude them from the other. However, each list has its own submission process.

For the new Distinguished Counsel category being introduced in the 2025 Top 100 Lawyers list, is a separate submission required?

No, a separate submission isn't necessary. There will simply be additional questions included in the Top 100 submission form.

Can law firm hiring partners be considered for recognition in the new supplement on recruiters?

This issue won't feature a "top" recruiters list. Instead, it will include articles about, and relevant to, professionals who assist law firms with hiring, which includes in-house hiring partners.

Can you explain what qualifies as niche practice for your new Niche Lawyer list?

The inaugural 2025 list will highlight attorneys working in specialized areas of the legal profession that often go unnoticed. If it's the kind of unique practice people might mention at cocktail parties, we're likely interested in hearing about it.

Are there any plans to introduce an entertainment lawyer list?

Every October, we review potential new lists for the following year. While we have previously published a top entertainment lawyer list and likely will again, it won't be part of the 2025 lineup. However, entertainment lawyers are still featured in many of our other lists.

Why is there no top health care lawyers list in 2025, and could it return in the future?

We often pause certain supplements for a year or two before bringing them back. Although there won't be a health care lawyers list in 2025, keep an eye out -- it may return in 2026! And don't forget to submit health care lawyers for other lists in 2025.

Do you share attorney submitted columns outside of the Daily Journal's website and print products?

Yes, they are posted on our social media channels especially LinkedIn. Many columns are also featured in our email newsletters each day.

I understand that attorneys cannot write about cases in which they are involved. However, can they write about the legal issues related to the case?

Yes. Attorneys can write about the broader themes associated with matters with which they are involved.

Can attorneys write about issues other than specific case law?

Yes. They can write about trends in their practice, laws and regulations, or any other topic that would be of interest to other members of the legal profession.