COLUMBUS, Ohio, August 20, 2026 — Cooper Elliott is proud to announce that nine of its attorneys have been recognized by Best Lawyers® in 2027, including three named “Lawyer of the Year” and two named to Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America.
2027 “Lawyer of the Year” Honorees
Being named “Lawyer of the Year” is one of the most selective distinctions Best Lawyers® awards — only one lawyer per practice area, per metropolitan region, receives the honor each edition, based on the highest aggregate peer feedback in that category.
- Barton R. Keyes was named the Best Lawyers® 2027 Product Liability Litigation – Plaintiffs “Lawyer of the Year” in Columbus, Ohio.
- C. Benjamin Cooper was named the Best Lawyers® 2027 Appellate Practice “Lawyer of the Year” in Columbus, Ohio.
- Charles H. Cooper, Jr. was named the Best Lawyers® 2027 Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs “Lawyer of the Year” in Columbus, Ohio.
About the Recognition
Best Lawyers® is the oldest and most respected peer-review publication in the legal profession. Recognition is determined entirely through the Purely Peer Review® process, in which lawyers confidentially evaluate the professional abilities of other lawyers within their same practice area and geographic region. No fees are accepted for consideration or inclusion, and lawyers may not vote for themselves. Because the honor is earned through the judgment of fellow attorneys rather than paid submission or self-promotion, it is widely regarded as one of the most credible measures of professional standing in the legal field.
2027 Best Lawyers
- Abby Chin — Recognized for the first time in the 2027 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®, for Medical Malpractice Law – Plaintiffs and Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs.
- Barton R. Keyes — Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® for Civil Rights Law, Commercial Litigation, Legal Malpractice Law – Plaintiffs, Medical Malpractice Law – Plaintiffs, Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs, and Product Liability Litigation – Plaintiffs.
- C. Benjamin Cooper — Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® for Appellate Practice, Civil Rights Law, Legal Malpractice Law – Plaintiffs, Medical Malpractice Law – Plaintiffs, and Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs.
- Charles H. Cooper, Jr. — Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® for Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs.
- Jeffrey T. Kenney — Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® for Commercial Litigation and Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs.
- Lindsay Lawrence — Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® for Medical Malpractice Law – Plaintiffs.
- Rex H. Elliott — Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® for Legal Malpractice Law – Plaintiffs, Medical Malpractice Law – Plaintiffs, and Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs.
2027 Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch
- Sara Schiavone — Recognized in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America for Product Liability Litigation – Defendants. Sara now brings that defense-side experience to her work representing plaintiffs at Cooper Elliott.
- Spencer C. Meador — Recognized in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America for Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs.
“We built this firm around the belief that the work should speak for itself. Having that reflected back by our peers is a good reminder we’re on the right track for our clients, our team, and the community we serve,” said Rex Elliott, co-founder of Cooper Elliott. “There are a lot of firms that like to promote their massive size as a value-add. Our firm focuses on what’s most important — justice for our clients — and we are grateful our peers see that, too.”
Learn more about Best Lawyers® and its Purely Peer Review® methodology at bestlawyers.com.