Kohner, Mann & Kailas, S.C. (KMK) is pleased to be a member of an exclusive, global network known as the International Society of Primerus™ Law Firms. It is a collection of top-rated, independent, boutique law firms from all over the world that have earned the right to display the Primerus seal of quality. This gives KMK the global reach to address any legal concern you might face in any jurisdiction. Any U.S. firm that seeks membership must first earn the maximum “AV” rating from Martindale Hubbell, by which lawyers evaluate other lawyers on both proficiency and professionalism. For firms outside of the U.S., consideration is given to similarly respected resources, such as Chambers Global Guide, Legal 500 EMEA, and IFLR 1000. The Wall Street Journal once described Primerus as offering “consumers a way to pick the good [lawyers] from the bad by establishing a sort of ‘Good Housekeeping’ seal of approval for attorneys.” From this already elite group of firms, Primerus conducts an extensive additional screening process, asking judges, fellow lawyers on both sides of the bar, current and former clients, bar associations and insurance carriers for candid assessments of the prospective members’ quality of work, commitment to professional ethics, and civility.


No firm is accepted into Primerus until the organization is completely confident the firm can commit to the Six Pillars of Primerus, which are:

  1. Integrity;
  2. Excellence of Work Product;
  3. Reasonable Fee Structure;
  4. Continuing Legal Education (at least twice the amount required by their respective Bar Associations);
  5. Civility to Bench and Bar; and,
  6. Community Service.

Once a firm is accepted into the organization, Primerus continues to monitor, through annual audits, the performance of each member firm to ensure they are living up to the Six Pillars. When a client is referred to a Primerus firm by another firm, that client may be interviewed by Primerus to further ensure that the individual case was handled appropriately (in accordance with the Six Pillars), professionally, and to the client’s expectations.

As one of the most respected law firm societies, Primerus has become the size of some of the world’s largest law firms. Our membership in this network gives our clients immediate access to thousands of lawyers in nearly 200 law firms worldwide that share our ideals and our level of professionalism and dedication to our clients.

Whenever you need an attorney in a jurisdiction where KMK does not normally practice, you can be sure the attorney to whom we refer the matter adheres to the same high standards and principles we do. That’s the power of Primerus.