"It's nice to be recognized by your peers, especially in the city that I practice in," Sirkin told XBIZ.
The publication designates Lawyers of the Year in high-profile legal practice areas in large legal communities.
“Only a single lawyer in each practice area in each community is being honored as the Lawyer of the Year for 2011,” the publication said.
The list of attorneys is compiled by conducting peer-review surveys in which thousands of leading lawyers confidentially evaluate their peers.
The Lawyers of the Year were selected because they received high ratings from most of their peers, receiving top marks for their abilities, professionalism and their integrity.
“We continue to believe, as we have believed for nearly 30 years, that recognition by one's peers is the most meaningful form of praise in the legal profession,” the publication said.
In his more than 40 years of practice, Sirkin has defended the free speech and constitutional rights of countless individuals and businesses.
One of his most recent cases was the John Stagliano obscenity trial, where he was part of a team of defense attorneys who secured Stagliano’s victory in the case.