Rachel Gross and Sam Iola Named Among Lawdragon’s 500X ‘Next Generation of Law Firm Leaders’

Iola, Gross & Forbes-King co-founders Rachel Gross and Sam Iola have been recognized in the 2026 edition of the Lawdragon 500X: The Next Generation of Law Firm Leaders, an annual guide honoring rising stars who are helping shape the future of the legal profession.

Rachel and Sam were selected in the Plaintiffs’ Litigation category following a rigorous review process that includes nominations, independent research, and peer recommendations. The recognition highlights their reputation as skilled trial lawyers and advocates for individuals and families harmed by toxic exposures, as well as their leadership of Dallas-based Iola, Gross & Forbes-King, a boutique litigation firm known for taking complex asbestos-exposure cases to trial.

Both Sam and Rachel focus their practices on complex asbestos and talc litigation, representing individuals diagnosed with mesothelioma and other serious illnesses caused by exposure to dangerous products. Their work has helped secure significant results for clients while holding manufacturers and other responsible parties accountable.

The recognition reflects the qualities that define Sam and Rachel’s approach to litigation: preparation, persistence, and a commitment to telling their clients’ stories with clarity and purpose.

“They are the future of the law. And, in many respects, the now,” the publication wrote in introducing the 2026 500X guide. “The remarkable lawyers featured here chose a path to the law, sacrificed the long hours and investment required to get through law school and the bar and start a career. The sleepless nights, the terror of getting on your feet in court, in a boardroom, putting yourself on the line. When it matters.”