Hall of Fame

Houston lawyer Mark Lanier has racked up numerous awards in his storied career as a plaintiff attorney. And he didn't have to break any rules to win any of those accolades—until now.

Lanier was recently inducted into the National Trial Lawyer Association's Trial Lawyer Hall of Fame. To be considered for that honor, an attorney has to be 60 years old and have made an indelible mark on the American legal tradition. Lanier has made his impact by winning plenty of high-profile pharmaceutical liability, asbestos exposure and commercial litigation cases. But he's 56 years old. So the association decided to waive the age rule for him.