Watkins & Eager members William F. Ray, Paul H. Stephenson III and Michael W. Ulmer have been recognized as 2016 Local Litigation Stars by Benchmark Litigation. In addition, member Corey D. Hinshaw has been recognized as a Future Star. The firm is rated as "Highly Recommended". Benchmark Litigation covers the ligation and disputes market in the United States. Since the brand's inception in 2008, attorneys are evaluated through an exhaustive interview process.
Benchmark Litigation compiles its results from a culmination of a six-month research period where researchers conduct extensive interviews with litigators and their clients to identify the leading litigators and firms. During these interviews, researchers examine recent casework handled by law firms and ask individual litigators to offer their professional opinions on peers. Firms cannot pay to be recommended for the guide.