For over a century, Forbes has been known for its journalism that combines honest reporting with a clear point of view, particularly as a champion of entrepreneurial capitalism. This approach has led to a strong sense of trust among its readers, as confirmed by independent surveys. This trust has enabled Forbes to produce high-quality journalism that resonates with its audience, including its popular lists.
In recent years, Forbes has expanded its model to include professional rankings, such as ranking the best financial advisors in America. These rankings have been produced in partnership with SHOOK Research, a company with a long history of measuring financial advisors. The Forbes/SHOOK list is the result of a rigorous selection process that involves the nomination of thousands of FAs, extensive surveys, and numerous interviews. The goal of this process is to highlight the top financial advisors in the country, given the significant financial stakes involved.
Building on the success of its financial advisor rankings, Forbes is now launching a new professional ranking: America’s Top 200 Lawyers. This ranking will once again involve a thorough process of sifting through nominees, conducting interviews, and utilizing industry expertise, including input from an independent advisory board. Forbes Senior Editor Liane Jackson, who is also an attorney and a journalism professor, believes that these rankings will showcase the top legal professionals deserving of recognition from Forbes.
Looking ahead, Forbes plans to expand its professional rankings to cover a variety of fields, from accountants to architects. While this type of journalism may be different from founder profiles or investigative pieces, it follows the same formula of combining reporting with a clear point of view to build trust with readers. Ultimately, the goal of these rankings is to improve lives by highlighting the best professionals in various industries and providing valuable information to Forbes’ audience.
