John E. Lichtenstein, founding attorney of Lichtenstein Law Group in Roanoke, Virginia, has been named the 2027 Best Lawyers® “Lawyer of the Year” in two practice areas for the Roanoke region: Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs and Criminal Defense: General Practice. The recognition, announced August 20, 2026, comes from the widely respected peer-review publication Best Lawyers, which selects honorees based on comprehensive evaluations by fellow attorneys.
This is not the first time Lichtenstein has received this honor. Since 2006, he has been recognized as “Lawyer of the Year” in the Roanoke region 16 times across four different practice areas, including Criminal Defense: General Practice (2019, 2023, 2025, 2027), Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs (2016, 2018, 2024, 2027), Medical Malpractice Law – Plaintiffs (2013, 2015, 2022, 2026), and Criminal Defense (2011, 2014, 2020, 2024). The “Lawyer of the Year” designation is given to only one lawyer per practice area and region each year, making it the publication’s highest honor.
“This award is especially meaningful because it comes from attorneys who know the legal profession best,” Lichtenstein said. “It reflects the hard work, meticulous case preparation, and dedication of our entire team to helping clients who face life-changing legal challenges.”
Lichtenstein’s legal career spans decades and includes handling high-stakes litigation in state and federal courts across Virginia. His practice areas include personal injury, wrongful death, medical malpractice, product liability, and criminal defense. He has also been recognized in The Best Lawyers in America for Bet-the-Company Litigation, in addition to the other areas already mentioned.
Beyond his practice, Lichtenstein has held leadership roles in the legal community. He is a former President of the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association and has served on its Board of Governors. He also chaired the Virginia State Bar Criminal Law Section. He is a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, the International Academy of Trial Lawyers, and the American Board of Criminal Lawyers.
The significance of this latest recognition lies in its source: it is based entirely on peer evaluations, with no payment required for inclusion. As Best Lawyers states, a lawyer’s selection reflects their professionalism, integrity, and the respect of fellow members of the bar. For clients, this kind of peer recognition can serve as a signal of a lawyer’s reputation and competence, particularly in fields where the stakes are high and the outcomes can be life-altering.
Lichtenstein Law Group, which Lichtenstein founded, brings nearly 100 years of combined legal experience to its clients in Roanoke and across Virginia. The firm handles cases in state and federal courts, including personal injury, medical malpractice, product liability, criminal defense, civil rights, business tort, and other complex litigation matters. The firm is located at 347 Highland Ave., Roanoke, VA 24016, and can be reached online at lichtensteinlaw.com or by phone at (540) 343-9711.
