Fourteen attorneys at West Chester's Unruh Turner Burke & Frees earned spots in the 2027 Best Lawyers in America rankings.

The firm's largest cluster of honors fell in land use and zoning, with 11 attorneys named to the main Best Lawyers in America list and three selected for Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch, which recognizes earlier-career attorneys, MyChesCo reported Sept. 1.

Five attorneys account for the land-use and zoning concentration. Amanda J. Sundquist was recognized for land use and zoning and municipal law. Andrew D.H. Rau was selected for land use and zoning, related litigation and municipal law. Robert C. Jefferson IV and Ryan M. Jennings were recognized for land use and zoning, with Jennings also selected for litigation in the practice area. Theodore F. Claypoole was recognized for land use and zoning and real estate law.

The firm's trusts and estates attorneys on the list include Anylise Crouthamel, David M. Frees III and Douglas L. Kaune. Kaune is a first-time Best Lawyers honoree.

James C. Dalton was recognized for real estate litigation and trusts and estates litigation. John K. Fiorillo was selected for bankruptcy and creditor-debtor rights, insolvency and reorganization law, and commercial litigation. William J. Burke III was recognized for real estate law.

The three Ones to Watch selections were Daniel J. Yarnall for commercial litigation and criminal defense, Jeremy E. Grivensky for appellate practice, commercial litigation, education law and personal injury litigation on behalf of plaintiffs, and Lauren C. Nehra for commercial litigation and labor and employment litigation.

Best Lawyers bases its selections on peer evaluations rather than self-nominations or paid listings, according to the firm. About 5% of practicing attorneys in a given market receive Best Lawyers recognition, while roughly 2% of early-career attorneys nationally receive Ones to Watch recognition.

"These honors reflect the trust our colleagues place in us, and the commitment our attorneys bring to every client matter," shareholder Kristen W. Ladd said.

The firm, headquartered at 17 West Gay Street, was founded in 1990 with four lawyers focused on real estate, land use, business, municipal and school law. It has since grown to 23 attorneys and added a second office in Phoenixville.

The 14 honorees represent a slight dip from the firm's 2026 and 2025 Best Lawyers cycles, when 15 attorneys were recognized each year, according to the firm's website.

West Chester's Planning Commission meets Sept. 14 and Borough Council meets Sept. 16, both at 6:30 p.m. at the Municipal Building, 401 East Gay St.