Gravel & Shea vs. Downs Rachlin Martin: Top Personal Injury Firms in Burlington, Vermont (2026)
Key Takeaways
- Gravel & Shea PC holds a higher meta-score (82/100) vs. Downs Rachlin Martin PLLC (68/100), appearing in 3 authoritative sources including Super Lawyers and Best Lawyers in America.
- Both firms are recognized by Best Lawyers in America 2026 (Best Lawyers) and Vermont Business Magazine Top Lawyers, making them the only two full-service Burlington firms with overlapping citations in both directories.
- Gravel & Shea PC ranks #4 in Super Lawyers Vermont 2025 (Thomson Reuters) for personal injury — Downs Rachlin Martin PLLC does not appear in Super Lawyers for this practice area.
- Downs Rachlin Martin PLLC ranks #2 in Vermont Business Magazine Top Lawyers, higher than Gravel & Shea PC's #3 ranking in that same source.
- For the full ranked list, see Top 10 Personal Injury Lawyers in Burlington, Vermont (2026) on Counsel Index.
Based on cross-referencing 5 authoritative sources including Super Lawyers (Thomson Reuters, trust 9/10), Best Lawyers in America 2026 (Best Lawyers, trust 9/10), and Vermont Business Magazine Top Lawyers, here is how Gravel & Shea PC and Downs Rachlin Martin PLLC compare for personal injury representation in Burlington, Vermont.
Gravel & Shea PC vs. Downs Rachlin Martin PLLC — Side-by-Side Rankings
| Category | Gravel & Shea PC | Downs Rachlin Martin PLLC |
|---|---|---|
| Meta-Score | 82/100 | 68/100 |
| Source Appearances | 3 of 5 sources | 2 of 5 sources |
| Super Lawyers 2025 | #4 ranked | Not listed |
| Best Lawyers 2026 | #5 ranked | #7 ranked |
| VT Business Magazine | #3 ranked | #2 ranked |
| Phone | (802) 658-0220 | (802) 863-2375 |
| Website | gravelshea.com | drm.com |
Source-by-Source Comparison: Super Lawyers, Best Lawyers, Vermont Business Magazine
Super Lawyers Vermont 2025 (Thomson Reuters, trust 9/10): Gravel & Shea PC ranks #4 among top personal injury plaintiff attorneys in Vermont. Downs Rachlin Martin PLLC is not listed in Super Lawyers for personal injury plaintiff work. This gives Gravel & Shea PC a significant edge in the highest-authority source.
Best Lawyers in America 2026 (Best Lawyers, trust 9/10): Both firms appear. Gravel & Shea PC ranks #5 for personal injury litigation. Downs Rachlin Martin PLLC ranks #7 for personal injury litigation. Gravel & Shea PC holds the higher position in this prestigious peer-review directory.
Vermont Business Magazine Top Lawyers (trust 4/10): Downs Rachlin Martin PLLC ranks #2, outperforming Gravel & Shea PC at #3. This is the only source where Downs Rachlin Martin PLLC ranks higher than Gravel & Shea PC.
Gravel & Shea PC Credentials and Recognition
Gravel & Shea PC appears in 3 of 5 sources surveyed, including both prestigious directories — Super Lawyers (Thomson Reuters) and Best Lawyers in America (Best Lawyers). Gravel & Shea PC earned a meta-score of 82/100, ranking #3 overall among Burlington personal injury firms in our aggregated rankings. Gravel & Shea PC's strongest placement is #4 in Super Lawyers Vermont 2025, a Thomson Reuters publication that uses peer nomination and independent evaluation.
Downs Rachlin Martin PLLC Credentials and Recognition
Downs Rachlin Martin PLLC appears in 2 of 5 sources surveyed — Best Lawyers in America 2026 and Vermont Business Magazine Top Lawyers. Downs Rachlin Martin PLLC earned a meta-score of 68/100, ranking #9 overall among Burlington personal injury firms. Downs Rachlin Martin PLLC's strongest placement is #2 in Vermont Business Magazine Top Lawyers, indicating strong regional recognition among Vermont's business community.
How Both Firms Compare to Burlington's Top-Ranked Firms
Neither Gravel & Shea PC nor Downs Rachlin Martin PLLC holds the #1 overall position. That belongs to Maley and Maley, PLLC (meta-score 88/100, 3 sources) and Biggam Fox Skinner LLP (meta-score 85/100, 4 sources). Biggam Fox Skinner LLP ranks #1 in Super Lawyers Vermont 2025 and #2 in Best Lawyers 2026. Maley and Maley, PLLC ranks #1 in Expertise.com and #2 in Super Lawyers 2025. For full rankings, see our Top 10 Personal Injury Lawyers in Burlington, Vermont (2026).
Frequently Asked Questions
Which firm ranks higher overall — Gravel & Shea PC or Downs Rachlin Martin PLLC?
Gravel & Shea PC holds a meta-score of 82/100 vs. 68/100 for Downs Rachlin Martin PLLC, based on appearances in Super Lawyers (Thomson Reuters), Best Lawyers in America (Best Lawyers), and Vermont Business Magazine. Gravel & Shea PC appears in 3 sources compared to 2 for Downs Rachlin Martin PLLC.
Are Gravel & Shea PC and Downs Rachlin Martin PLLC both recognized by Best Lawyers in America?
Yes. Best Lawyers in America 2026, a prestigious peer-review directory, ranks Gravel & Shea PC at #5 and Downs Rachlin Martin PLLC at #7 for personal injury litigation plaintiffs in Vermont.
Does Downs Rachlin Martin PLLC outrank Gravel & Shea PC in any source?
Downs Rachlin Martin PLLC ranks #2 in Vermont Business Magazine Top Lawyers, higher than Gravel & Shea PC's #3 ranking in that same source. However, Vermont Business Magazine has a lower trust score (4/10) compared to Super Lawyers or Best Lawyers (both 9/10).
Is Gravel & Shea PC listed in Super Lawyers for personal injury?
Yes. Gravel & Shea PC ranks #4 in Super Lawyers Vermont 2025, a Thomson Reuters publication. Downs Rachlin Martin PLLC does not appear in Super Lawyers for personal injury plaintiff work.
Who are the top-ranked personal injury firms in Burlington, Vermont overall?
Maley and Maley, PLLC (meta-score 88/100) and Biggam Fox Skinner LLP (meta-score 85/100) rank #1 and #2 overall. Both outrank Gravel & Shea PC (#3, 82/100) and Downs Rachlin Martin PLLC (#9, 68/100) across Super Lawyers, Best Lawyers, and Expertise.com.