VALDOSTA — Five Valdosta lawyers were named Georgia “Super Lawyers” by two magazines.

Law and Politics and Atlanta Magazine named Converse Bright, Bob Clyatt, Roy Copeland, Roger Dodd and Walter Elliott “Super Lawyers” among other Georgia lawyers based on peer selection through a poll of all Georgia Bar members.

Only 5 percent of lawyers in each state or region are chosen as “Super Lawyers.”

Corporate law partner Thompson H. Gooding Jr. said the selection process is the key because it is a peer selection process.

“You really have to have made a favorable impression and be known by a lot of lawyers throughout the state,” Gooding said.

The lawyers are narrowed down into categories for a panel review of the votes.

Law and Politics then begins the research stage of the process, which includes interviews with law firms, data verification and a check to make sure the lawyer is in good standing with his or her licensing authority.

After the candidates are divided according to firm size and location, the top candidates from each group are selected as “Super Lawyers,” according to the Super Lawyers Web site.

Bright, Copeland and Dodd were named in the area of plaintiff’s personal injury lawyer. Clyatt was named in the area of worker’s compensation law, and Elliott was named in the practice area of business litigation.

Bright has been working as a lawyer for 40 years.

“I’ve enjoyed my career as a lawyer, and I’m grateful for the recognition,” Bright said.

Bob Clyatt said he didn’t think he deserved the honor.

“I know I am not smarter than anyone else,” Clyatt said. “Any credit that I get for this or anything else belongs to God and my family and the people that I work with. I am glad they recognized attorneys in South Georgia, but there are a lot of good ones who were not named to this.”

Even though Copeland said he “doesn’t pay much attention to those kinds of accolades” he was pleased to receive the title.

“It is a good group to be included in,” Copeland said.

In a prepared statement, Roger Dodd said he was honored to be in the company of distinguished lawyers.

“My only objective is to aggressively represent my clients,” he said.

Elliott has been practicing law for 22 years. “I am humbled by the recognition,” he said. “Only a limited number of lawyers in the state are ‘Super Lawyers.’ “

Gooding said it was a compliment on the Valdosta bar to have five Valdosta lawyers named as “Super Lawyers.”

“It also says a tremendous amount about our overall community and the growth we are enjoying,” Gooding said.

To find a “Super Lawyer”, go to www.superlawyers.com.