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Councilman Earns Place Among Best

December 24, 2004

By LOYD BRUMFIELDNews Editor / Today NewspaperWade Emmert never thought he’d be in a position like this, especially because he hasn’t hit 35 yet.But the Cedar Hill city councilman and Dallas attorney has been honored for the second straight year by Law & Politics magazine as one of the best lawyers in the state of Texas.“Really, to be recognized by my peers like this is such an honor,” said Emmert, who was named to the magazine’s list of “SuperLawyers” for 2004. “It’s something I didn’t really expect, especially because I’m still pretty young.”Emmert was made partner a couple of years ago at the downtown Dallas-based firm of Burford & Ryburn. He largely specializes in complex litigation in medical malpractice cases and other healthcare issues.“Traditionally speaking, I defend hospitals and doctors,” he said.According to Law & Politics, the lawyers who finish in the top 5 percent in their profession are chosen by peers and through independent research conducted by the magazine.It’s based on surveys of more than 65,000 lawyers across the state, all of whom are supposed to receive a ballot.Lawyers who make the grade are recognized in Law & Politics as well as Texas Monthly.The selection process is pretty in-depth, and lawyers must pass muster with a blue-ribbon panel of experts, Emmert said.“The age range (of selected lawyers) is from 10 years of service to those who have been practicing 50 years,” he said.Earning state recognition is a special feeling, Emmert said.“This is a process that takes a number of months, and they’ll send out letters that say, ‘Congratulations, you’ve been accepted,’” he said. “They don’t say what particular aspect of your practice caught the attention of the blue-ribbon panel, but I suspect that would be very difficult to do.”Emmert has been in practice for 10 years since graduating from the Baylor School of Law.He’s spent his entire career at Burford & Ryburn.“It’s not all that common to stay at one place, but sometimes you find a place that makes you feel at home and you’re comfortable with who you work with, and that’s what happened to me,” he said.Emmert is joined on the list of “SuperLawyers” by firm coworkers James “Blackie” Holmes and Bob Begert.Emmert and Holmes earned the honor for the second straight year.Emmert is serving his first term on the Cedar Hill city council, elected to represent Place 3 in May. He also is a past president of the Cedar Hill Economic Development Corporation.“In terms of balancing your time, you just have to find your priorities,” Emmert said. “Cedar Hill is my home, and I love my community and my family.“Those are priorities for me, and you just find the time to pursue the things that you think are important for your family and your community.”Emmert and his wife Michelle have two children, Walker and Will.“Being selected just one time in your career is very special,” Emmert said. “Each year is evaluated on its own. I’m very surprised and very honored to be named twice in a row.”

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