John J. Malm & Associates Attorneys Rachel Legorreta and Alyssa Pullara Named to 2026 Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America

John J. Malm & Associates is thrilled to announce that attorneys Rachel Legorreta and Alyssa Pullara have been selected for inclusion in the 2026 edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America. This honor recognizes early-career attorneys who are already delivering outstanding results, earning the respect of judges, peers, and, most importantly, clients.

For our clients and community, this recognition affirms what they already know: Rachel and Alyssa bring exceptional skill, relentless preparation, and deep compassion to every case. Their selection reflects our firm’s commitment to high-quality advocacy for people hurt through no fault of their own across Illinois.

“Rachel and Alyssa exemplify the very best of our profession: prepared, principled, and unwavering in their pursuit of justice for our clients,” said founding attorney John J. Malm. “This recognition from Best Lawyers is well-deserved and speaks to the results they achieve and the trust they’ve earned.”

What Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch Recognition Means

Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch highlights attorneys who are early in their careers but already performing at a high level. Unlike pay-to-play lists, Best Lawyers uses a peer-review process in which attorneys confidentially evaluate colleagues on professional ability, integrity, and client service. Being selected signals that other lawyers, often opposing counsel, respect how Rachel and Alyssa litigate: with meticulous case work, ethical advocacy, and consistent results.

Key takeaways about this honor:

Peer-driven: Inclusion is based on confidential feedback from practicing lawyers, not advertising.
Merit-focused: Recognition reflects the quality of advocacy, professionalism, and outcomes.
Practice impact: It confirms that Rachel and Alyssa are go-to advocates in complex personal injury matters.

Why This Matters for Our Clients

Awards aren’t the reason we do this work, our clients are. But third-party recognition can be meaningful when you’re selecting a lawyer after a life-changing injury. Here’s how Rachel’s and Alyssa’s Ones to Watch selections translate to value for our clients:

Credibility in negotiations: Defense firms and insurers recognize when they’re facing serious, well-prepared counsel. That credibility often drives fairer, faster resolutions.
Courtroom readiness: Opposing counsel know Rachel and Alyssa will take a case to trial if necessary, and that pressure can move cases toward meaningful settlement.
Client-centered advocacy: Recognition reflects real-world feedback and how consistently an attorney communicates, prepares clients, and delivers results.

Spotlight: Attorney Rachel Legorreta

Rachel’s approach is simple: listen closely, prepare relentlessly, and advocate fearlessly. She represents individuals and families in a wide range of Illinois personal injury cases, including car and truck accidents, dangerous property conditions, and claims involving catastrophic injuries and wrongful death. Clients praise her calm, clear communication and her ability to turn complex facts into compelling, fact-driven arguments.

What sets Rachel apart:

Strategic case building: From the first meeting, she maps out a litigation plan, identifying key records, experts, and timelines to keep the case moving.
Detail mastery: Rachel’s filings and briefs are known for precision and clarity, grounding negotiations (and trials) in strong evidentiary foundations.
Client-first mindset: She keeps clients informed at every milestone, translating legal jargon into practical next steps.

Spotlight: Attorney Alyssa Pullara

Alyssa is known for tenacious representation and genuine empathy. She thrives on complex liability questions and is unafraid to push for discovery that uncovers the truth, whether that involves EDR downloads in trucking cases, surveillance footage, or corporate safety manuals. Clients describe Alyssa as a steady hand during stressful moments: responsive, candid, and laser-focused on outcomes.

What sets Alyssa apart:

Relentless fact-finding: Alyssa digs deeper, leveraging subpoenas, inspections, and expert collaboration to build leverage and prove damages.
Negotiation leverage: She marries sharp legal analysis with a human story, presenting insurers with the risk of trial if they don’t put real value on a claim.
Leadership and teamwork: Alyssa partners closely with our team, experts, and co-counsel so every case moves efficiently and strategically.

Our Firm’s Philosophy: People First, Results Focused

When someone is injured, they’re thrust into a system built by insurers: one that can feel cold, confusing, and stacked against them. At John J. Malm & Associates, our job is to re-balance the scales. We do that by:

Early investigation: Preserving evidence, securing scene photos, vehicle data, and witness statements before memories fade.
Medical clarity: Working with treating physicians and independent experts to connect the dots between mechanism of injury, diagnosis, and long-term effects.
Transparent valuation: Explaining the categories of damages, such as medical costs, lost wages, loss of a normal life, disfigurement, and pain and suffering, so clients know what to expect.
Trial readiness: Preparing every case as if it will be tried. That preparation drives better outcomes, whether at mediation, arbitration, or in front of a jury.

Rachel and Alyssa embody this approach. Their Ones to Watch selections affirm that when clients choose our firm, they’re choosing attorneys who combine legal skill with genuine compassion.

How Recognition Like This Improves Case Outcomes

Awards don’t decide cases, evidence and advocacy do. Still, honors like Ones to Watch matter in practical ways that can benefit clients:

Insurer perception: Claims adjusters track plaintiff’s firms and attorneys. When they see recognized counsel, they anticipate strong dossiers, credible experts, and real trial risk—often prompting earlier, more reasonable offers.
Courtroom credibility: Judges appreciate professionalism and well-crafted motions. Attorneys known for precision tend to win more procedural battles that shape the case’s trajectory.
Expert engagement: Top experts prefer to work with organized, serious trial teams. Recognition signals a professional environment where their work will be used effectively.
Client confidence: Recovering from an injury is a marathon. Knowing your case is in award-winning hands reduces stress and helps clients make informed, steady decisions.

John J. Malm & Associates: A Culture That Elevates Client Advocacy

We’re proud of Rachel and Alyssa, and we’re equally proud of the culture that helped them flourish:

Mentorship and collaboration: Senior litigators actively mentor associates, sharing trial strategies, deposition frameworks, and motion practice templates.
Community commitment: Our attorneys volunteer, speak at legal education programs, and support safety and victims’ advocacy groups across Illinois.
Ethics and integrity: We practice with the long game in mind: your trust and the firm’s reputation. That means clear communication, honest case evaluations, and client-centered decisions.

What Clients Can Expect When Working With Rachel or Alyssa

From the initial consultation to final resolution, here’s how your case will move forward:

Listening session: We start with your story, what happened, how it has affected your daily life, and your goals for the case.
Evidence plan: We identify and secure records, witness statements, photos, video, and electronic data (including vehicle telemetry and 911 audio where applicable).
Medical proof: We coordinate with your treating providers and, if needed, independent experts to document diagnosis, causation, and future care costs.
Damages model: We build a clear, data-supported picture of economic losses and the human impact of your injuries.
Negotiation & litigation: We push for fair settlement; if it’s not forthcoming, we prepare for trial, without flinching.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch?
It’s a peer-review recognition program that highlights early-career attorneys for outstanding professional excellence. Lawyers are nominated and evaluated by other attorneys, with editorial review to confirm eligibility and practice-area focus.

Does this recognition guarantee a result in my case?
No lawyer can guarantee a result. What this honor does reflect is consistent excellence, professionalism, and strong outcomes across many matters, qualities that can materially affect your case.

How do I know if Rachel or Alyssa is the right fit for my case?
Start with a consultation. We’ll review your situation, explain options, and outline how we’d approach your case. You’ll leave with a clear understanding of next steps, even if you decide not to hire us.

What kinds of cases do you handle?
We represent people injured by negligence across Illinois, including car accidents, pedestrian and bicycle collisions, dangerous property conditions, nursing home negligence, and cases involving catastrophic injury or wrongful death.

What will it cost to hire your firm?
We work on a contingency fee, meaning you pay no attorney’s fees unless we recover compensation for you. We advance case costs and explain fees transparently before you sign.

How soon should I call a lawyer after an injury?
Immediately. Evidence disappears, memories fade, and insurers start building their defense right away. A prompt call helps us preserve critical proof and protect your rights.

A Message from Our Team

“Watching Rachel and Alyssa advocate for clients reminds us why we do this work,” said John J. Malm, Naperville personal injury lawyer. “Their Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch recognition is not just a badge; it’s a promise to every client who places their trust in our firm.”

We’re honored to stand beside Rachel and Alyssa as they receive this recognition, and even more honored to stand beside our clients as we seek the results, and the accountability, they deserve.

Contact the Award-Winning Illinois Personal Injury Lawyers at John J. Malm & Associates

If you or a loved one has been injured, you don’t have to navigate the aftermath alone. Contact our Illinois personal injury team today to schedule a free, confidential consultation with our dedicated injury attorneys. We’ll listen, answer your questions, and outline a clear plan to move forward. Let us put recognized, results-driven advocacy to work for you.