Peer Reviews
These independent rankings and peer surveys summarize Don Philbin’s recognition across international directories, national ratings, and regional legal polls.
Chambers USA Nationwide Peer & Client Ratings
Recognized in the Nationwide Mediators category since 2019.
Band 1, USA – Nationwide: Mediators (2023–2026; ranked since 2019)
Editorial Summary: Thought leader among mediators; a highly regarded neutral sought after for a wide range of disputes.
“Don is our go-to mediator for complex commercial litigation.” (2024)
“Donald is a very quick study and understands complex financial cases very quickly. He is thorough, intelligent and hard-working.” (2025)
“He’s very charming, very professional, very understanding and empathetic to what’s going on. That’s his secret sauce.” (2023)
“He’s proactive and really wants to get to a result that both sides can live with.” (2023)
“Donald does a very good job at communicating both strengths and weaknesses and pointing out issues that parties need to consider.” (2025)
“Donald is at the top of his field.” (2026)
“Mr. Philbin is an outstanding, professional mediator.” (2026)
Band 2 (2021–2022) & Band 3 (2019–2020)
Editorial Summary: Lauded as ‘a real thinker and innovator,’ San Antonio-based Donald Philbin is highlighted for his handling of large corporate cases. (2019)
Lexology Index (formerly Who's Who Legal) Global Legal Market Intelligence
- Client Choice – Commercial Mediation (USA – Texas, 2026)
- Thought Leader – Commercial Mediation (Global & USA, 2017–2026)
- Commercial Mediation: Recognized continuously since the category's global inception in 2011
“His grasp of the forces that drive a successful mediation is always spot on. There is not a mediator working today that I would trust more.”
Best Lawyers in America®
Gathering detailed feedback from leading practitioners via peer-review survey.
- Lawyer of the Year, San Antonio: Mediation (2014, 2016, 2021, 2024, 2026); Arbitration (2018, 2027)
- Listed continuously for both Mediation and Arbitration since 2007
- Best Law Firms®: Regional Tier 1 in San Antonio for Arbitration & Mediation continuously since the rankings' inception in 2010
“Don Philbin is a very quick study. He boils a case down to the important issues rapidly and he doesn’t get distracted by non-issues.”
“I can trust him to have the knowledge and insight to settle any kind of case… His pragmatic approach helps steer parties into a position to make sensible business decisions.”
“Far more than a ‘message carrier,’ Don helps parties look for solutions to their disputes that may not have come to their minds.”
Super Lawyers (Statewide / Regional Top 50)
- Top 50 Central & West Texas Super Lawyers (2025, 2026)
- Texas Super Lawyers (Alternative Dispute Resolution) continuously since 2010
Martindale-Avvo Peer Ethics Ratings & Legal Directory Scores
- AV Preeminent® Rating (Martindale-Hubbell) continuously since 1999
- 10.0 Superb Rating (Avvo) in Mediation, Arbitration, and Litigation
“In a single session, we were able to reach a settlement agreement that included a novel, non-financial element neither party had previously considered. It was a creative solution.”
— Commercial litigation counsel (Client Review)Scene in SA Magazine Annual Bexar County peer-survey
- "Best SA Lawyers" in Arbitration & Mediation: Multi-year selection including 2008, 2011–2013, and 2016–2026
San Antonio Magazine Regional Metro Peer Review
- "Top Attorneys" (Arbitration & Mediation) in every published edition since 2019
San Antonio Business Journal
- "Outstanding Lawyer" in Mediation: 2011 Honoree
Mediation War Stories
“I just completed the most difficult mediation of my career. We literally worked for 22 hours straight… Most importantly, he did not give up and kept the parties working. This was my first mediation with Don, but it will not be my last. I highly recommend Don to all who are in need of a dedicated and skillful mediator.”
— Trial attorney on LinkedIn