Detroit Attorney Karen Kienbaum Maintains Prestigious AV Preeminent® Rating After Nearly Four Decades

Detroit-based attorney Karen Kienbaum has maintained the AV Preeminent® rating from Martindale-Hubbell, the legal profession's most prestigious peer-review designation, since first achieving the honor in 1986. This distinguished rating represents the pinnacle of professional achievement, signifying exceptional ethical standards and legal ability as validated by fellow attorneys and judicial professionals.

The AV Preeminent® rating is not merely an honorary title but a rigorous assessment of an attorney's professional capabilities. Achieved through extensive peer review, the designation indicates that an attorney's legal expertise and professional conduct have been thoroughly vetted and found to meet the highest industry standards. For Kienbaum, this continued recognition reflects her comprehensive legal background spanning contracts, labor, and employment law.

With extensive experience including 14 years of in-house counsel roles at Blue Cross Blue Shield and Ford, Kienbaum brings a unique perspective to her legal practice. Her professional journey includes significant leadership roles, such as past president of the Detroit Bar Association and 14-year service as an American Bar Association delegate. These experiences have contributed to her nuanced understanding of complex legal landscapes.

Kienbaum's legal practice extends beyond traditional representation, encompassing roles as a counselor, advisor, and arbitrator in both union and non-union environments. Her professional credentials include appearances before state and federal courts, the Michigan Supreme Court, and federal tribunals like the EEOC, Department of Labor, and OSHA.

The continued AV Preeminent® rating serves as a testament to Kienbaum's sustained professional excellence. In an increasingly competitive legal environment, such long-standing peer recognition distinguishes her as a leading legal professional in metropolitan Detroit and beyond. Her achievement underscores the importance of consistent professional development, ethical practice, and peer respect in the legal profession.