"Geoff was a first-rate lawyer," Alan Mansfield, a partner who worked with him at the firm and later helped him in his discrimination case, said in an interview.

The conceptual exposition builds powerfully and lucidly, as it often does when first-rate lawyers write for laymen.

Ideally it would be nice to have first-rate lawyers representing folks like Exzavious Gibson before the state executes them.

He leaned forward as if he meant to kiss her and then said in a low voice, 'I'm going to give you the name of a first-rate lawyer.'

He had no record, he did have money and could afford a first-rate lawyer.

A first-rate lawyer, he helped build one of the most prestigious law firms in America.

"He had promise of being a really first-rate lawyer and we were happy to extend an offer to him."

He was a first-rate lawyer, had a good knowledge of commercial matters, great shrewdness and a quick intellect, while he was also painstaking and scrupulously fair.

"He's a first-rate lawyer, and we've got a history of having council members who don't know enough about the law."

"He's a first-rate lawyer, a prodigious worker, and he's not afraid to take on difficult cases," says Mr. Morgenthau.