BANGOR – Samuel W. Lanham Jr. has been named by the New England Super Lawyers magazine as one of the top attorneys in Maine for 2008.

Just 5 percent of the attorneys in the state are named “Super Lawyers,” according to a press release sent by Lanham’s office. Selections for the magazine are made by Law & Politics, a division of Key Professional Media Inc. of Minneapolis, Minn.

The selection process includes a statewide survey of lawyers, an independent evaluation of candidates by Law & Politics’ attorney-led research staff, a peer review of candidates and a good-standing and disciplinary check, according to the press release.

Lanham’s Bangor litigation practice includes clients with pharmaceutical and medical device claims along with people whose credit and debit card information was captured earlier this year when the Hannaford Bros. database was breached. He also has a case pending before the U.S. Supreme Court concerning light cigarettes.

He is a member of the American Association for Justice, where he serves on the board of governors. He is past president of the Maine Trial Lawyers Association and the Penobscot County Bar Association.

Lanham, of Bangor, served for 10 years on the international board of directors of Up With People and for 15 years on the board of the Bangor Halfway House. He is president of the Bangor Symphony Orchestra.