avvo.com

What Avvo.com Is

Avvo.com is an online legal services marketplace and lawyer directory based in the United States. It collects and presents information about attorneys, including their profiles, client reviews, disciplinary records, and a proprietary Avvo Rating designed to help people research lawyers. The platform also includes a legal Q&A forum where users can ask questions and get answers from licensed attorneys.

The site was launched in 2006 by Mark Britton, a former attorney and Expedia executive, and has grown into one of the most extensive legal directories, covering an estimated 97% of licensed lawyers in the U.S. in its database.

How Avvo Works

Avvo builds lawyer profiles using publicly available data from state bar associations and other licensing entities. Those profiles can include:

  • Practice areas,
  • Education and work history,
  • Client reviews,
  • Peer endorsements from other attorneys,
  • Disciplinary records where available,
  • The Avvo Rating, a numerical score ranging from 1 (lowest) to 10 (highest).

Users can search the directory by location and legal issue, which helps them compare potential lawyers. Many profiles also let users contact attorneys directly for consultations or legal services.

The Avvo Rating aims to give a quick snapshot of a lawyer’s background and credentials, based on factors such as years licensed, professional achievements, peer recognition, and disciplinary history. The company does not publicly disclose the exact formula it uses to calculate the rating.

Free Legal Q&A and Advice

Avvo features a section where users can post legal questions for free and receive responses from lawyers across the country. This part of the site has millions of existing questions and answers that can be searched, often offering general guidance on common legal issues.

Some services — such as short consultations or document reviews — might involve a fee, depending on the attorney and situation, but posting a basic question to the forum is usually free.

How Lawyers Use Avvo

For attorneys, Avvo is both a directory and a marketing platform. Lawyers can claim their profiles, update and expand their information, and gather client reviews to boost visibility. Many use peer endorsements and participation in the Q&A forum to demonstrate expertise. Some also choose to invest in paid services like premium listings or advertising to appear more prominently in search results.

Avvo’s massive database means even lawyers who never signed up may already have a profile created automatically from public licensing data. Claiming a profile lets lawyers correct or supplement that information.

Controversies and Criticisms

Avvo’s model and its rating system have drawn criticism over the years. Some lawyers and users have raised concerns about:

  • Accuracy of the ratings — because the calculation is not fully transparent, and some feel it doesn’t reliably reflect a lawyer’s skill or success.
  • Review handling — some users report that negative reviews can be removed or disputed in ways that seem to favor lawyers, leading to questions about how reviews are moderated.
  • Directory practices — the platform historically pulled attorney information from bar websites, which led to objections from some bar associations about data use.

Critics also caution that Avvo ratings alone shouldn’t dictate hiring decisions. They advise combining Avvo data with independent research, including third-party reviews, interviews with the lawyer, and direct checks with state bar associations on disciplinary history.

What It’s Useful For

  • Researching potential lawyers in various practice areas by location.
  • Comparing profiles and client feedback to narrow down options.
  • Getting general legal answers to basic questions through the Q&A forum.
  • Finding initial contact information and rating summaries to decide whether to reach out for a consultation.

Limitations and Considerations

Avvo is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice itself. The information on the site may not always be complete or up to date, and ratings should not be seen as authoritative endorsements of legal capability. Users should confirm details directly with attorneys and consider multiple sources of information before making legal hiring decisions.

Key Takeaways

  • Avvo.com is a US-focused online legal directory and marketplace that helps people find lawyers and legal information.
  • The platform aggregates profiles, client reviews, disciplinary records, and ratings for lawyers.
  • It includes a free Q&A forum where users can post legal questions and get answers from attorneys.
  • Lawyers use Avvo to manage their online presence and attract clients.
  • There are criticisms about rating transparency and review moderation, so users should treat the information as one of several tools when choosing a lawyer.

FAQ

Is Avvo free to use?
Yes, searching the lawyer directory and posting questions in the free Q&A forum does not cost anything. Some lawyer services offered through the platform may have fees, depending on the attorney.

Can lawyers pay to improve their ranking?
Avvo says ratings cannot be bought or directly manipulated, but lawyers can pay for premium features that increase profile visibility.

Does Avvo guarantee a good lawyer?
No. The Avvo Rating is informational and not a guarantee of quality, outcome, or competence. Users should do additional research.

Are all lawyers on Avvo?
Nearly all licensed attorneys in the U.S. are included, often through public record aggregation, even if they never signed up.

Can negative reviews be removed?
Some users report that negative reviews have been removed or disputed on the platform, which is part of broader criticism about how reviews are managed.

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