Top 5 Lawyers to watch in 2026

The legal landscape is evolving rapidly, shaped by shifting regulations, emerging technologies, and a growing demand for strategic, client focused advocacy. As businesses expand across borders and individuals face increasingly complex legal challenges, the role of forward thinking lawyers has never been more critical. In this dynamic environment, a new generation of legal professionals is setting itself apart through innovation, integrity, and measurable impact.

The lawyers featured in this list represent excellence across diverse practice areas, from corporate law and litigation to intellectual property and regulatory compliance. Each has demonstrated an exceptional ability to anticipate change, deliver results, and build lasting trust with clients. Their work reflects not only technical expertise but also a deep understanding of the human and commercial realities behind every case.

As 2026 approaches, these five standout legal leaders are redefining what it means to succeed in modern law. They are the professionals to watch as they continue to influence the future of the legal industry.

1- Eric Sarver, Esq – Employment Law / Business Law Attorney:

The nature of work continues to change as economic pressures, regulatory shifts, and evolving workplace expectations shape how employers and employees interact. Disagreements over pay, treatment, compliance, and accountability are not uncommon, and they often sit at the intersection of law, policy, and human behavior. In these situations, legal processes become one of the primary tools through which conflicts are examined and resolved.

Eric Sarver, Esq., has worked in employment and business law for more than two decades. His practice has focused on matters involving workplace disputes, regulatory compliance, and legal proceedings that arise between employers, employees, and government agencies. Over the course of his career, his work has included representing small and mid-sized businesses, nonprofit organizations, and individual workers in both administrative and court-based settings.

A significant portion of Mr. Sarver’s legal work has involved responding to audits, investigations, and enforcement actions initiated by state and federal agencies, including the New York State Department of Labor, the New York State Division of Human Rights, and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. These matters often center on questions of workplace policy, wage and hour compliance, and discrimination claims. His experience also extends to arbitration and regulatory proceedings tied to employment and business operations.

Eric Sarver has participated in litigation at various stages, including pre-litigation negotiations and cases that proceed through state and federal courts. These matters have spanned multiple industries, such as construction, hospitality, and food service, where wage, overtime, and classification issues frequently arise. In addition to representing management, his legal work has included cases brought on behalf of employees and laborers, reflecting the dual perspectives present in his firm’s employment law practice.

Beyond litigation, Attorney Sarver has remained active in public conversations around workplace law. For several years, he hosted a weekly radio and video program focused on employment law topics, addressing issues that affect both employers and workers. He has also appeared as a guest on broadcast and digital media platforms, including podcasts, local TV stations, and radio, offering legal context on developments in labor and business regulation.

Sarver has participated in professional panels, workshops, and webinars that examine emerging legal questions, including the impact of technology and artificial intelligence on employment practices. These engagements reflect an ongoing discussion within the legal community about how established laws are applied to changing workplace realities.

Sarver Law Firm, PLLC, founded in April of 2001, operates as a boutique law practice serving clients in New York and New Jersey. The firm concentrates on employment and business law matters involving compliance, dispute resolution, defense, and regulatory oversight, areas that continue to play a central role in modern workplace governance.

2- Glen H. Waldman

Legal disputes can place organizations and individuals in situations that demand careful judgment and steady decision-making. These matters often involve more than legal questions alone. They affect operations, finances, and long-term planning. An effective response depends on experience, context, and the ability to manage complexity without losing focus.

Glen H. Waldman, of national law firm Armstrong Teasdale, has spent more than 40 years working within civil litigation and related advisory roles. His career has included sustained involvement in commercial, real estate, and business disputes that required detailed factual analysis and procedural discipline. Many of these matters involved significant financial exposure and extended timelines, calling for a consistent strategy rather than short-term tactics.

A substantial portion of his work has taken place in jury trials and international arbitration. In arbitration settings, he has handled commercial and reinsurance disputes that crossed national boundaries and involved layered contractual arrangements. These cases often required coordination among legal systems, experts, and corporate stakeholders. The work emphasized structure and clarity in situations where facts and obligations were contested.

In the courtroom, Waldman has few equals. His ability to effectively communicate to a jury with simplicity both the key points and the passion he has for his clients’ positions, regardless of the subject matter, is almost poetic. From basic fraud claims and partnership disputes to the more esoteric involving combustion turbines, citrus canker or automobile line recalls or land use development issues, Waldman masters the material and, time and again, has delivered big-time results for his clients.

Beyond litigation, Waldman has served as outside counsel to businesses operating in varied sectors. This work has focused on governance, contract interpretation, internal controls, and decision-making during periods of change. In many instances, the goal was to address issues before they escalated into formal disputes, while maintaining alignment with broader business objectives.

Throughout his career, his work has been recognized by legal publications and professional rankings that track trial experience and peer recognition. Such listings are part of the legal profession’s system of evaluating longevity and scope of practice, rather than measures of any single result. His record encompasses both plaintiff and defense matters, reflecting his exposure to diverse perspectives within the civil justice system.

Waldman also holds leadership responsibilities within Armstrong Teasdale’s litigation group and its Miami office. In that capacity, he contributes to case oversight and the professional development of other attorneys. 

Taken together, his career reflects long-term engagement with complex legal work and the steady responsibilities that accompany it. The emphasis throughout has been on managing difficult matters with consistency, preparation, and respect for the broader consequences of legal decisions.

3- Craig Ashton

Few careers blend intellect, stamina, and legacy the way Craig Ashton’s does. His academic path began at UC Berkeley, where he immersed himself in one of the world’s top-ranked history departments. From there, he advanced to Pepperdine University School of Law, stepping into roles that revealed a natural command of leadership. Twice elected as president of the Environmental Law Society and of the student body, he balanced governance with advocacy. Recognition followed when Attorney General Richard Thornburgh presented him with the Best Oral Advocate Award in the Vincent S. Dalsimer Moot Court Competition.

His apprenticeship under celebrated trial lawyers Arnold Laub and Melvin Belli placed him at the center of legal craft and courtroom tradition. The experience refined his litigation skills and prepared him for a career that would bridge rigorous preparation with decisive execution. In 1996, he co-founded a firm that would come to symbolize persistence and principle. Nearly three decades later, a body of work exceeding $350 million in verdicts and settlements stands as testament to that vision.

Recognition has tracked alongside results. North America Attorney of the Year, inclusion among the Top 100 Attorneys, and features on major broadcast networks are part of a professional record that underscores credibility. His presence extends beyond courtrooms into radio, where The All Things Legal Show has become a trusted platform for making sense of law in everyday life.

Ashton’s pursuit of endurance reaches far beyond the legal field. A five-time Ironman finisher and Alcatraz swimmer, he embraces physical challenges that mirror his professional drive. His heritage, tied to Richard Henry Lee and the Washington family, adds yet another layer to a life rooted in history and achievement.

Craig Ashton’s story is one of intellect and tenacity, where discipline in all arenas defines the measure of success.

4- Thomas “Tom” Hale

A steady path of success in any field calls for patience, clarity, and a firm sense of purpose. Progress becomes possible when experience blends with discipline and a commitment to thoughtful work. 

Thomas S. Hale has followed such a steady course. His early years shaped a strong academic foundation that later supported a broad legal career. His studies in English and Psychology at Vanderbilt University created an appreciation for careful analysis and strong communication. Law school deepened this focus and introduced him to the demands of complex legal work. 

During his time in legal education, he contributed to journals, engaged in student organizations, and explored writing through humorous pieces for the school paper. These experiences set the stage for a practice built on both skill and curiosity.

His entry into the legal field came with a strong emphasis on defending complex litigation matters. He worked on matters that called for focus and consistency, including product liability, financial disputes, and personal injury cases. Each successful engagement strengthened his skills in managing intricate issues across many areas of law. Those successful experiences led to a role supporting a major bank holding company during the turbulent “lender liability” years, where he coordinated national litigation and managed large-scale legal exposure from coast to coast.

When he returned to private practice, his work included the defense of lender liability, municipal concerns, law enforcement claims, professional malpractice, and many forms of injury and wrongful death. He also built a niche in hunting law, adding another layer to his long-standing practice. 

His service in community organizations forms another part of his story. His time with the YMCA, the Homewood and Vestavia Hills Police Foundations, and Crime Stoppers shows a commitment to public trust, unwavering support for law enforcement agencies, and open communication between communities and those who serve them. His writing expanded beyond legal matters when he authored the autobiography of John “Hog” Hannah, offering keen personal insight into the life of a celebrated athlete.

His journey stands as a steady record of focused effort and thoughtful engagement. Each stage reflects a willingness to learn, adapt, and contribute with clarity. It offers a simple view of a career built through time, patience, and consistent commitment.

5- Mika Domingo

Periods of legal uncertainty often arise during deeply personal moments. Families are asked to make decisions that carry emotional weight and lasting consequences. In those moments, people seek clarity, steadiness, and guidance that respects the gravity of what is at stake. Legal support becomes most meaningful when it is rooted in understanding rather than urgency.

Mika Domingo has shaped her legal career around this principle. Her work reflects a belief that advocacy begins with listening and continues through careful judgment and preparation. She approaches each matter with an awareness that clients are navigating change, not simply resolving legal questions. This perspective has remained consistent throughout decades of leadership and public service.

Leadership has been a defining element of her professional path. From early presidential roles to statewide appointments, she has served in positions that require trust, discipline, and accountability. Mika made history as the first Filipina president of California Women Lawyers and later served as president of the California Asian Pacific American Bar Association. Her service has also included work as a member of the Committee of Bar Examiners for the State Bar and as a Commissioner for the San Francisco Assessment Appeals Board. These roles reflect a long-standing commitment to equity and institutional responsibility.

Her focus on trusts and estates law is deeply informed by personal experience. Mika’s mother - a  CPA, professor, and philanthropist - instilled in her an early understanding of legacy as something actively lived and carefully protected. Later, as her mother suffered from Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, Mika witnessed firsthand the emotional, legal, and logistical complexities families face when caring for an aging parent. Navigating cognitive decline, medical uncertainty, and end-of-life decisions revealed how easily families can feel overwhelmed without proper planning and compassionate guidance. That experience shaped not only her legal focus, but her approach to serving families during their most vulnerable moments. 

At M.S. Domingo Law Group, legacy planning centers on intention, preparation, and respect for family dynamics. The firm’s work emphasizes clarity and continuity, with attention given to both legal structure and human impact. Mika’s practice is driven by a commitment to helping families preserve dignity, minimize conflict, and make informed decisions before crisis forces them. Recognition for leadership and service, including peer acknowledgments and diversity honors, reflects sustained engagement and trusted stewardship rather than visibility.

Through ongoing advocacy, mentorship, and community involvement, her work remains focused on access, fairness, and long-term stewardship. In this context, the practice of law becomes a means of protecting not only assets but the people, values and relationships that define a life.