Calfee again has been recognized as a top Ohio law firm by Chambers &  Partners in the 2007 Chambers USA Guide, a legal resource used by general counsel and other purchasers of legal services in search of qualified, experienced legal counsel.  Chambers refers to Calfee as a “super Ohio firm that has a highly developed platform in the state.” Calfee has been recognized in the following areas of law:

•  Banking and Finance - “In Cleveland and Columbus, seven partners and six associates make up the team of great, seasoned professionals, who are known as the deal guys...”, “...a top-notch regional firm...”
•  Bankruptcy/Restructuring - “This compact mid-market practice has three partners dedicated to full-time bankruptcy work. However, size is no impediment for the group as it handles 15-20 cases at any given time.” 
• Corporate/M&A - “This excellent mid-market M&A practice combines a sophisticated national practice with a local perspective...”
• Intellectual Property - “Offering a whole gamut of IP-related expertise, clients describe Calfee as a real soup-to-nuts outfit that has the resources to handle anything that is thrown at it.”
• General Commercial Litigation - “Historically a major player in the Cleveland market... The firm boasts a region-wide influence but has managed to maintain its reasonable rate structure and personal touch.”
• Real Estate - “This proficient and reliable group of attorneys has a good understanding of the nuts and bolts of the law.”

In addition to the firm rankings, 13 of the firm’s attorneys were ranked individually as leaders in their respective fields:

• Karl S. Beus, banking and finance: He’s described in Chambers as “a very intelligent, reasonable and careful lawyer...,” “Peers describe him as a hard worker who definitely has a bright future ahead of him.”
• Mitchell G. Blair, general commercial litigation: According to clients, “He's an all-around excellent counselor,” “He’s particularly favored for his strategic and analytical approach.”
• Thomas A. Cicarella, banking and finance: “He’s so good I hate coming against him,” one peer is quoted as saying in Chambers. “He knows how to represent his client and he’ll always win the debate at the end of the day.”
• John S. Cipolla, intellectual property: Chambers describes him as “a [Charles] Lyon protégé, who has been groomed for success and earns a place at the table following extremely positive feedback.” Further, “Cipolla is clearly coming into his own as his profile continues to grow. Clients were quick to acknowledge he has just the right balance between technical expertise and litigation skills to execute a case in the best possible manner.”
• Martin S. Gates - banking and finance: “The market continues to heap praise on Marty Gates... for being a busy guy with a great reputation.”
• John J. Jenkins, corporate/M&A: “He is well-liked by everyone,” peers said to Chambers. He is depicted as “extremely switched-on and hard-working with lots of integrity.”
• Christopher Jones, environmental, government relations and legislation.
• Thomas A. Jorgensen, employee benefits.
• James M. Lawniczak, bankruptcy/restructuring: “Bright and well-liked, he is considered a standout lawyer in the practice,” “Peers say that he is very capable.”
• Charles B. Lyon, intellectual property: Chambers describes him as “having forged an impressive career and reputation as the kind of guy you go to for knotty, complex cases.” Clients praised his forthright approach, saying “he leaves no stone unturned and really gets to the heart of the matter...”
• Thomas F. McKee, corporate/M&A: “He has caught the market’s attention as very savvy and incredibly solid.”
• Jean Robertson, bankruptcy/restructuring: “Jean is renowned for being very driven and effective. She is particularly skilled at winning over committees and representing her clients well, and is also praised for giving to the community and 'doing a fine job.'”
• Mark Wallach, general commercial litigation: “[Mark] is a litigator who isn’t afraid to face down the toughest opponent and gets the job done.”

Research
Research into the strengths and reputations of U.S. attorneys is carried out using a methodology approved by the British Market Research Bureau, which audits the research annually. In-depth interviews with clients and attorneys are conducted. For the current U.S. directory, over 10,000 of these interviews were conducted covering the whole of the USA. They were carried out by a team of 40 full-time researchers over a period of six months.

Rankings
Law firms and individual attorneys are ranked on a scale of 1-6.  The qualities on which rankings are assessed include technical legal ability, professional conduct, client service, commercial awareness/astuteness, diligence, commitment and other qualities most valued by clients. Rankings are independent and objective; inclusion in this section of the guide is based solely on the research team’s findings.