How to Choose a Personal Injury Lawyer in Wyoming (2026)
Key Takeaways
- Best Lawyers (U.S. News & World Report, Trust 10/10) awards Tier 1 rankings to only 5 Wyoming personal injury firms, including The Fitzgerald Law Firm and Injury Law Firm.
- Super Lawyers (Thomson Reuters, Trust 9/10) recognizes the top 5% of attorneys — 14 Wyoming lawyers across Cheyenne and Casper hold this designation.
- The Inner Circle of Advocates limits membership to 100 plaintiff lawyers nationwide; Jim Fitzgerald of The Fitzgerald Law Firm is Wyoming's only member.
- Cross-referencing 3+ directories (Best Lawyers, Super Lawyers, NAOPIA) identifies consensus top firms — The Fitzgerald Law Firm appears in 6 sources and Injury Law Firm appears in 7.
- Casper and Cheyenne each have 5+ ranked firms, while rural Wyoming (Jackson, Cody, Sheridan) has fewer options — verify credentials before hiring.
Based on cross-referencing 12 authoritative sources including Best Lawyers (U.S. News & World Report), Super Lawyers (Thomson Reuters), and the Inner Circle of Advocates, here is how to evaluate Wyoming personal injury lawyers by credential tier in 2026.
Check Prestigious National Rankings First
The most reliable credential is a Tier 1 ranking from Best Law Firms (U.S. News & Best Lawyers), a prestigious directory (Trust 10/10) that combines peer review with case results. Only 5 Wyoming firms hold this designation for personal injury:
- The Fitzgerald Law Firm — Tier 1 for Personal Injury Litigation–Plaintiffs (Best Law Firms, 2026)
- Injury Law Firm (R. Michael Shickich) — Regional Tier 1, Best Law Firms 2020–2026 (Best Law Firms; Best Lawyers 2026 Recognition)
- Murdock Law Firm LLC — Listed among Best Law Firms in Wyoming (Best Law Firms)
- Burg Simpson Eldredge Hersh & Jardine — U.S. News Top Law Firm, 40 Best Lawyers in America (Best Law Firms)
- Hirst Applegate LLP — U.S. News Best Lawyers Tier 1, Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent 2026 (Super Lawyers, 2025)
Next, check membership in the Inner Circle of Advocates (Trust 10/10), limited to 100 top plaintiff lawyers in the U.S. Jim Fitzgerald of The Fitzgerald Law Firm is Wyoming's sole member, and also belongs to the American College of Trial Lawyers and the International Academy of Trial Lawyers.
Verify Super Lawyers and Best Lawyers Recognition
Super Lawyers (Thomson Reuters), an established directory (Trust 9/10), selects the top 5% of attorneys through peer evaluation and independent research. Wyoming attorneys with long Super Lawyers streaks include:
- The Fitzgerald Law Firm — Jim Fitzgerald selected to Super Lawyers for 15+ consecutive years (Super Lawyers, 2025)
- Injury Law Firm (R. Michael Shickich) — Mountain States Super Lawyers 2013–present (Super Lawyers, 2025)
- Ross & Santini LLC — George Santini selected to Super Lawyers 2007–2024, WTLA Lifetime Achievement Award 2009 (Super Lawyers, 2025)
- Sundahl, Powers, Kapp & Martin LLC — 3 partners (John Sundahl, George Powers, Paul Kapp) selected to Super Lawyers 2007–2020 (Super Lawyers, 2025)
- Gary L. Shockey PC — Gary Shockey selected to Super Lawyers, Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent rating, Best Lawyers in America since 2001 (Super Lawyers, 2025; Primerus)
Look for Trial Organization Memberships
Beyond rankings, verify trial credentials. The National Academy of Personal Injury Attorneys (Trust 7/10) publishes a Wyoming Top 10 list. Firms appearing on both NAOPIA and other directories signal consensus quality:
- The Fitzgerald Law Firm — NAOPIA Wyoming #1, plus Best Law Firms Tier 1 and Inner Circle of Advocates (NAOPIA; Best Law Firms)
- Injury Law Firm (R. Michael Shickich) — NAOPIA Wyoming #2, plus Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum and Trial Lawyers College Faculty (NAOPIA; Justia)
- Sandefer & Woolsey — NAOPIA Top 10, Ian Sandefer named Top 40 Under 40 by National Trial Lawyers 2012, Jamie Woolsey is Trial Lawyers College graduate (NAOPIA; Avvo)
- The Spence Law Firm — Founded by legendary trial lawyer Gerry Spence, over $1 billion in verdicts and settlements, including $100M+ burn injury settlement (Justia; Lawyer Legion)
Compare Firms by Region: Cheyenne, Casper, and Rural Wyoming
Cheyenne has the most ranked firms: The Fitzgerald Law Firm (6 source appearances), Ross & Santini LLC (4 sources), Sundahl, Powers, Kapp & Martin LLC (4 sources), Hirst Applegate LLP (2 sources), and Davis & Cannon LLP (2 sources, founded 1948, Kim D. Cannon AV rated by Martindale-Hubbell).
Casper concentrates top-credentialed firms: Injury Law Firm (R. Michael Shickich) (7 source appearances, Avvo 10.0 rating), Murdock Law Firm LLC (3 sources), Gary L. Shockey PC (5 sources), and Sandefer & Woolsey (4 sources).
Rural Wyoming options include Burg Simpson Eldredge Hersh & Jardine in Cody (Colin M. Simpson, Avvo 10.0 rating), The Spence Law Firm in Jackson ($1B+ in verdicts), and Davis & Cannon LLP in Sheridan.
FAQ: Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer in Wyoming
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Wyoming personal injury firms have the highest national rankings?
The Fitzgerald Law Firm and Injury Law Firm (R. Michael Shickich) both hold Tier 1 rankings from Best Law Firms (U.S. News & Best Lawyers, Trust 10/10). The Fitzgerald Law Firm also has Jim Fitzgerald as Wyoming's only member of the Inner Circle of Advocates, limited to 100 plaintiff lawyers nationwide.
What does a Super Lawyers designation mean for a Wyoming attorney?
Super Lawyers, a Thomson Reuters publication (Trust 9/10), selects the top 5% of attorneys through peer nominations and independent research. In Wyoming, Jim Fitzgerald of The Fitzgerald Law Firm has been selected for 15+ consecutive years, and R. Michael Shickich of Injury Law Firm has been selected since 2013.
How do I compare personal injury lawyers between Cheyenne and Casper?
Cheyenne's top-ranked firm is The Fitzgerald Law Firm (6 source appearances, Best Law Firms Tier 1). Casper's top-ranked firm is Injury Law Firm with R. Michael Shickich (7 source appearances, Best Law Firms Tier 1, Avvo 10.0 rating). Both hold equivalent prestigious credentials.
Are there qualified personal injury lawyers in rural Wyoming?
Yes — The Spence Law Firm in Jackson has over $1 billion in verdicts and settlements (Lawyer Legion, Justia). Burg Simpson Eldredge Hersh & Jardine operates from Cody with Colin M. Simpson holding an Avvo 10.0 Superb rating. Davis & Cannon LLP serves Sheridan with AV-rated attorneys.
What is the minimum number of directories a Wyoming firm should appear in?
Firms appearing in 3+ independent directories signal consensus quality. The Fitzgerald Law Firm appears in 6 sources and Injury Law Firm appears in 7, per cross-referencing Best Lawyers, Super Lawyers, NAOPIA, Avvo, Justia, and Lawyer Legion.