Super Lawyers, a respected attorney-ranking organization, has recognized five attorneys from the North Carolina law firm Kornbluth Ginsberg Law Group, P.A. for 2026. Attorneys Michael A. Kornbluth, Kevin B. Ginsberg, and Jesse S. Shapiro received Super Lawyers honors, while Joseph Hjelt and Andrew W. Legg were named Rising Stars. This recognition matters because it signals to clients and the legal community which firms house top-tier legal talent, particularly in specialized practice areas critical to protecting individual rights and workplace fairness.
The distinction between Super Lawyers and Rising Stars is significant. Super Lawyers honors experienced attorneys, with only 5 percent of lawyers nationwide receiving this recognition. Rising Stars identify up-and-coming attorneys, with just 2.5 percent earning this designation, according to the Super Lawyers website. For clients seeking legal representation, especially in complex areas like employment litigation or personal injury, these designations serve as an independent, peer-reviewed benchmark of attorney quality and achievement.
Michael A. Kornbluth's recognition carries particular weight, marking his 13th year as a Super Lawyer. He was listed in the Top 100: North Carolina Super Lawyers and the Top 25: Raleigh Super Lawyers for 2026. His recognized practice areas include Employment Litigation: Plaintiff, Employment & Labor: Employer, Civil Rights, Personal Injury - General: Plaintiff, and Workers' Compensation: Claimant. This broad expertise underscores the firm's capacity to handle multifaceted legal issues that often intersect, such as a workplace injury that also involves employment rights violations.
Kevin B. Ginsberg earned his third consecutive Super Lawyers recognition in Personal Injury - General: Plaintiff and Workers' Compensation: Claimant. Jesse S. Shapiro received his first Super Lawyers honor in Workers' Compensation and Personal Injury, having previously been a Rising Star. For newer attorneys, Joseph Hjelt was recognized as a Rising Star in Employment & Labor, and Andrew W. Legg in Employment Litigation and Employment & Labor. This blend of seasoned veterans and emerging talent suggests the firm is well-positioned for both current client needs and future leadership.
The selection process itself adds credibility to these honors. Super Lawyers uses a patented, multi-phase process led by legal professionals. The organization's website states that each candidate is evaluated on 12 indicators of peer recognition and professional achievement. The goal is to create a credible and comprehensive resource for those searching for legal counsel. For the business community and individuals in North Carolina, this means Kornbluth Ginsberg's recognized attorneys have been vetted through a rigorous, peer-driven methodology.
The implications of this announcement extend beyond firm prestige. For potential clients facing serious legal challenges related to workplace injuries, discrimination, or employment disputes, the Super Lawyers designation can simplify the search for qualified representation. It indicates a concentration of recognized legal skill in Durham, a key city in North Carolina's Research Triangle. For the legal industry, such recognitions help map expertise geographically and by practice area, influencing referral networks and competitive positioning. The firm's focus on plaintiff-side and claimant work in employment and injury law highlights its role in advocating for individuals against larger entities, making its sustained recognition a barometer for the health of legal advocacy in these critical areas.
