May 15, 2025 – Philadelphia, PA — National ratings service Super Lawyers® has released its 2025 list, and van der Veen, Hartshorn, Levin & Lindheim is proud to announce that five of its attorneys have been recognized for outstanding professional achievement.
- Michael T. van der Veen – 2025 Pennsylvania Super Lawyer
- Bruce L. Castor Jr. – 2025 Pennsylvania Super Lawyer
- Nelson Levin – 2025 Pennsylvania Super Lawyer
- Abigail Gustafson – 2025 Pennsylvania Rising Star
- Steven Bryson – 2025 Pennsylvania Rising Star
Michael T. van der Veen — 20 Years of Excellence
This year’s selection marks Michael T. van der Veen’s 20th consecutive appearance on the Super Lawyers list—an achievement that places him in the top fraction of one percent of attorneys statewide. Founder of the firm, van der Veen is renowned for multimillion-dollar jury verdicts in civil cases and for defending high-profile clients in headline-making criminal cases.
Van der Veen’s dual practice in complex civil litigation and criminal defense has drawn national media attention and earned him recognition by Super Lawyers as one of Philadelphia’s Top 100 lawyers. In addition, he has been named one of America’s Top 100 Attorneys®, among the ranks of some of the most esteemed White-Collar and General Criminal Defense Attorneys throughout the country. Van der Veen has also been chosen by his peers as a Fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America, an invitation-only honorary society for accomplished trial lawyers.
Beyond the courtroom, van der Veen is a regular legal analyst on CNN, where he appears on NewsNight, The Lead with Jake Tapper, and other flagship programs. National broadcasters NBC and FOX News likewise call on him for trial commentary, while ABC News has profiled his high-stakes cases. His insights and advocacy have also been featured in The New York Times, The Philadelphia Inquirer, The Washington Post, NPR, and MSNBC, underscoring his status as one of the nation’s most sought-after trial lawyers.
Bruce L. Castor Jr. — Proven Public-Service Trial Lawyer
The Honorable Bruce L. Castor Jr. adds another Super Lawyers nod to a résumé that includes service as Montgomery County’s twice-elected District Attorney, County Commissioner, Pennsylvania Solicitor General, and Acting Attorney General. A Senior Fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America, Castor has held an “AV” rating for nearly 30 years and is widely recognized for his trial advocacy—particularly in homicide and public-corruption matters.
Nelson Levin — Client-Focused Results in Catastrophic Injury Cases
Partner Nelson Levin earns Super Lawyers recognition on the strength of nearly three decades of trial experience that have produced six- and seven-figure recoveries for clients injured by defective products, medical malpractice, and negligence. A magna cum laude Temple University journalism graduate and AV-Preeminent-rated attorney, Levin is celebrated by clients for his compassionate, detail-driven approach.
Abigail Gustafson — Rising Star in Criminal Defense & Appeals
Associate Abigail Gustafson is honored as a 2025 Rising Star—a distinction reserved for the top 2.5 % of Pennsylvania attorneys under 40 or in practice fewer than 10 years. Gustafson holds an LL.M. in Trial Advocacy from Temple and a J.D. focused on Criminal Litigation from Duquesne. She represents clients statewide in complex criminal and appellate matters and donates pro bono time to the Pennsylvania Innocence Project and Philadelphia VIP.
Steven Bryson — Rising Star in Civil Litigation & Community Advocacy
Associate Steven Bryson joins the 2025 Rising Star ranks following his initial selection in 2024. Licensed in Pennsylvania, Bryson handles a broad spectrum of civil litigation matters informed by prior service as an Assistant City Solicitor and Assistant District Attorney for Philadelphia. A cum laude graduate of the University of Baltimore School of Law and a Temple University alumnus, Bryson also served as the first SERO Project Legal Fellow combating HIV criminalization and remains active with Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.
A Tradition of Recognition
The 2025 honors continue van der Veen, Hartshorn, Levin & Lindheim’s long tradition of excellence in personal-injury, criminal-defense, and civil-rights litigation. For more information or to schedule a consultation, call 215-486-0123 or visit mtvlaw.com.
Disclaimer: This blog is intended for informational purposes only and does not establish an attorney-client relationship. It should not be considered as legal advice. For personalized legal assistance, please consult our team directly.