Lawyer FAQQuestionsGeneral
Claiming and updating lawyer profiles
Search Results
Peer Endorsements
Client Ratings
Advertising on Avvo
Track Record - your case historyAvvo Answers
Legal Guides
Avvo Pro
AnswersWhat is Avvo?Avvo is a free website that offers consumers more information and better guidance than ever before regarding the legal industry and, specifically, choosing the right lawyer. Avvo is the world's largest online legal directory, rating and profiling over 85% of US lawyers. Avvo profiles include the Avvo Rating, as well as client reviews, peer reviews and attorney disciplinary records. Avvo offers a highly successful question and answer forum where people can ask real attorneys – anonymously if desired – any legal question and receive personalized answers. Avvo also offers Legal Guides, which are simple "how-to" guides designed to help ordinary people manage their legal issues. What's in it for me?
Avvo can help you generate clients and increase your Internet presence by providing you with a free online profile, which you can update as often as you like. Avvo can help you stand out from the pack, with an unbiased rating, reviews from clients and peer endorsements. You can also demonstrate your expertise and drive more visits to your profile by participating in Avvo Answers and publishing Avvo Legal Guides. Avvo can also save you time and money in attracting highly qualified clients because our users come to you more informed. Avvo users have studied your profile in advance, so by the time they call you they are more likely to choose you as their attorney. How does Avvo make money?
We make money by selling advertising on our site. Advertising is independent from the Avvo Rating and attorney search results rankings, which cannot be influenced in any way by advertising or any other form of payment. What is the Avvo Rating?The Avvo Rating is our evaluation of a lawyer's background, based on the information we know about the lawyer. The rating is calculated using a mathematical model that considers the information shown in a lawyer's profile, including a lawyer's years in practice, disciplinary history, professional achievements and industry recognition - all factors that, in our opinion, are relevant to assessing a lawyer's qualifications. For more questions about the Avvo Rating, please see the Avvo Rating Overview Where does the lawyer profile information come from?
Lawyer profile information comes from various sources, including state bar associations, court records, and lawyer websites, as well as information that lawyers supply to Avvo. Avvo brings all this data together in one website so your prospective clients don't have to spend hours trying to find it all themselves. Keep in mind that we collect lawyer profile information from sources that we do not control, and we do not verify such information. If you feel that you have found incorrect information on your or another attorney's profile, please let us know. Our goal is to ensure that all data on Avvo is as accurate, up-to-date, and helpful as possible. Alternatively, you can claim your profile for free and update your information that way. How often do you update the information?
We strive to keep lawyer profile information as current as possible. However, we are sometimes dependent on others (state bar associations, for example) to make updated data available to us. For data collected from government sources, we show the date that the information was last updated on Avvo. If you feel that you have found incorrect information on your or another attorney's profile, please let us know and we'll do our best to update it. Are all Avvo Ratings based on the same amount of information?
No. The Avvo Rating is based on information in lawyers' profiles. As you can see from the profiles, the amount of information in them differs from one profile to another, no matter if we found the information or the lawyer gave it to us. If we find only the lawyer's licensing records, we do not give the lawyer's profile a numerical rating. Instead, we assign a rating of "No Concern" or, where significant bar discipline appears, "Attention". What if some of the profile information on my, or another lawyer's, profile is inaccurate?
Our goal is to provide accurate information. If you disagree with something you see on the site, send us an e-mail with a specific description of the incorrect information and we'll do our best to update it.
If the inaccurate information appears in your profile, you can also claim your profile to update your information. You can do this in two simple steps. First, locate your profile by searching for your name. Once you've located your profile, click the link, "Claim and update your profile for free" found at the top of your profile under your name. Once you've claimed your profile, you may update it with as much information as you want as often as you want for free. The list of legal practice areas on your website seems strange to me. What is going on?
This is one example of how we've created a lawyer search site that's consumer-focused. Our descriptions of legal practice areas reflect the way consumers describe the type of attorney they're looking for, rather than the way lawyers might describe their own areas of practice. The descriptions may be different from what you're accustomed to, but they are the result of extensive consumer research. In the end, we believe they will make it easier for our users to find the right attorney-which is beneficial to both you and your future clients. According to our research, we've covered all legal practice areas-but if you've looked through the list and don't see your area of practice, send us an e-mail and we'll consider adding it. Why does Avvo contain profiles of deceased attorneys?
Avvo contains profiles of deceased attorneys who remain in the public records of the state bar associations or courts. We do not rate deceased attorneys or display them in the practice area search results, as this obviously would serve no purpose. But we have left their profiles in our database, just as they remain in state public record databases, and you can find them by searching for the deceased lawyer's name. How do I update and edit my profile?
To update your profile, you must first claim your profile. You can do this in two simple steps. First, locate your profile by searching for your name. Once you've located your profile, click the link, "Claim and update your profile for free" found at the top of your profile under your name. Once you've claimed your profile, you may update it with as much information as you want as often as you want for free. Why should I claim my profile?
Claiming your profile is free, and it allows you to personalize your information so you stand out from other attorneys. Once you've claimed your profile, you can update it as often as you like, request peer endorsements from other attorneys, and request client ratings from your clients. You'll also be able to provide peer endorsements to lawyers you know. Why was I not given the option to claim my profile via e-mail?
You can only claim your profile via e-mail if Avvo has your e-mail address, which we can sometimes get from public sources such as the State Bar and public Web sites. If we don't have your e-mail address, you must claim your profile via credit card. In the future, we hope to offer other methods for claiming your profile. Why do I need to enter credit card information to claim my profile?
In our discussions with attorneys, they expressed concern that someone might fraudulently claim their profiles, and we felt that the credit card verification was the best way to protect against this. It is not a perfect method, but we would hate to see someone hijack your or anyone else's profile. Also, note that we use the credit card solely as part of our verification process. We then store a randomly encrypted card number so we can flag it if someone tries to claim multiple profiles. But we cannot read or even retrieve the credit card number once it is encrypted. Because we use the credit card just for verification, we do NOT:
The credit card company will put a temporary $1 "hold" on your card (required by the credit card company as part of the card verification), but this will disappear quickly - typically within 24 hours. You won't be charged and Avvo doesn't receive any payment. What is "locked data"?
Avvo collects data from several different sources, including state bar associations and court records. Locked data refers to information, such as licensing data and disciplinary sanctions, collected from these government sources. This data cannot be edited by attorneys. Where did Avvo get the information that is already in my profile?
Avvo collects data from several sources, including state bar associations, state courts, and lawyer websites. Your profile may also contain client ratings and peer endorsements from third parties. Why do I have more than one profile? Can I merge my profiles?
You may have multiple profiles if you are licensed to practice in more than one state. An Avvo profile will be displayed for each state in which you are licensed. You can merge multiple profiles by claiming your profile. Once you have found a profile that is yours, click the "update your profile for free" link at the top of the page and follow the instructions to merge multiple profiles. You will be lead through a process of finding, verifying, and merging multiple profiles into a single profile. Right now we don't have information for all states, but we're rapidly expanding our coverage. See the list of states we cover. Why does my profile show that I've been licensed for fewer years than I actually have been?
If you are licensed in more than one state, you will have a separate profile for each state. Each profile will display the number of years you've been licensed in that state, which may be fewer than the number of years you have been practicing in another state. It is also possible that we have received incorrect data. License data is based on information that we collect from the state bar or other authority. If you see incorrect data, contact the appropriate state licensing authority to have it updated. The next time we collect information from that state, your Avvo profile will be updated. What states does Avvo currently have profiles for?
See our complete list of current state coverage Why do you have "beta directories" for some states?In beta directory states, Avvo offers (1) an interim attorney directory that includes primarily attorneys in consumer-facing practice areas, and (2) fully functional Avvo Answers and Legal Guides products. Profiles for attorneys in the beta directory states include bar status and disciplinary records. Why don't you list ALL of the lawyers in states with "beta directories?"We plan to do so eventually, but attorneys are licensed on a state-by-state basis and it takes time, effort and money to obtain all of a state's attorney records and incorporate them into Avvo. With our 23 "complete directory" jurisdictions we cover over 85% of all attorneys in the U.S., so we already provide coverage for the vast majority of the population. We wanted to provide the advice, guidance and top-level directory to consumers as soon as possible via a beta directory. As our business grows, we will fill the beta directory states in with complete attorney directories. If I'm licensed in a "beta directory" state and you don't have a profile for me, can I add one?Sure – you can easily create your profile online. If you already have an Avvo profile in a "complete directory" state, simply login and add your license from your Profile Dashboard page. If this will be your first Avvo profile, you can create the profile at http://www.avvo.com/profile/create. Note that you will not be able to use certain features on Avvo until we have validated your licensing records with your state. Does claiming my profile violate my state's attorney advertising rules?
It is solely the responsibility of lawyers to ensure that any information or advertisements they place on the Avvo website, and any communications they may have with prospective clients through our website or services, fully comply with all applicable rules of professional conduct, including those regulating the form, manner or content of communications with clients, advertising, or other matters. See our Terms of Use. What information should I add to my profile?
Add information to your profile that you would like to share with prospective clients. There are categories in your profile to guide you, such as a place to include your practice areas, work and academic experience, and professional achievements. Be sure to add each piece of information as a new entry to ensure it will be given the appropriate credit toward the Avvo Rating.
How do I change the way my name appears in my profile?The name in your profile matches what is registered with your state's bar association. First, contact your state bar association and have your name updated in the public record. As soon as your name is updated in the public record, contact us and we'll update your name in your profile.
If you are better known by a nickname or maiden name, you'll have the chance to add your nickname to your profile after you claim your profile.
Why has my Avvo Rating changed?You may notice over time that your Avvo Rating fluctuates. Just as lawyers are constantly improving upon their experience and qualifications, the Avvo Rating is not static, and many factors affect it. First, as we collect more information about a lawyer, the Avvo Rating gets recalculated and the score may adjust accordingly. Second, to the extent that we collect or receive information that our system cannot immediately identify, we mark this information as "unknown" and update the score once we have evaluated the relevance of the information. We also audit this information over time to maintain the integrity of our database. Third, some information is given less weight as time passes. For example, the weighting the mathematical model gives to certain disciplinary actions and industry recognition items decreases as time elapses, reflecting our opinion that, in these categories, the most recent information matters the most. Finally, we may periodically adjust the mathematical model used to calculate the Avvo Rating, which could result in a change to a lawyer's Avvo Rating.
Why did my Avvo Rating change when I added information?If your rating changes after adding information, it should only increase. If your rating decreases, please contact us. Most likely, you have made a change to your profile that confused the categorization of your data in our database. For example, our database may recognize the award "New York Pro Bono Service Award" but when you changed it to "NYC Pro Bono Award" our database no longer recognizes it. While this unrecognized award will be categorized by our data team over time, you can expedite the process by contacting us directly. How are the search results determined?
When an Avvo user initiates a search, the results are determined by several factors, including the amount of information that we know about a lawyer, a lawyer's geographical location, and a lawyer's practice areas. Do the practice area percentages impact my placement in the search results?
In general, if a consumer has indicated they need a particular type of lawyer, and you have devoted a high percentage of your time to that practice area, you will sort higher in the search results. However, practice area percentage is only one of the factors in our search results. The best way to increase your chances of being seen in our search results is to add as much data to your Avvo profile as possible, and keep your profile up-to-date. The more we know about you, the better we can determine if you are likely to be a good match for a prospective client. Before you can update your practice area pie chart, you'll need to register and claim your profile. It's fast, easy, and free: see How do I update and edit my profile? for details. Why does my name show up in search results for another city?
When a user searches for lawyers in a particular city, we include attorneys located directly in that city as well as those who are very close to the city. This provides the user with a greater selection of attorneys who are still close to their desired location. Can I alter or buy placement or enhancement in the search results?
No. An attorney's rank in the search results is based on how well his or her profile information matches the user's search criteria. Advertising is completely independent of search results-search results cannot be influenced by advertising or any other form of payment. However, Avvo does offer advertising opportunities for lawyers who want increased visibility on Avvo. If you are interested, please contact Avvo advertising sales. What are peer endorsements?
Peer endorsements are endorsements of a lawyer by another lawyer. They are a form of industry recognition and they also allow you to show consumers your network and the resources you can bring to bear on their case. You may remove any endorsement from your profile. However, you must first claim your profile to submit, request, or delete peer endorsements. Why should I get peer endorsements?
Peer endorsements can help you make a positive impression on potential clients by showing them how you are perceived by other attorneys. They also demonstrate that you have access to a network of attorneys you can consult for assistance with potential clients' cases, if necessary. Finally, endorsements may have a positive impact on your Avvo Rating-the more we know about you, the better we can determine your score. How do I get peer endorsements?
It's easy to request peer endorsements from attorneys you know. Just go to the Peer Endorsements tab of your profile page and click the "Request endorsements" button. Enter e-mail addresses for the lawyers you want to endorse you, and we'll send them an e-mail. Before you can request peer endorsements, you'll need to register and claim your profile. It's fast, easy, and free - see How do I update and edit my profile? for details. How do I leave a peer endorsement for another attorney?
Go to the Peer Endorsements tab of the lawyer's profile page and click the "Endorse this lawyer" button. Before you leave a peer endorsement, you'll need to register and claim your profile. It's fast, easy, and free: see How do I update and edit my profile? for details. Can I remove an unwanted peer endorsement from my profile?
Yes. You can delete any peer endorsement from the Peer Endorsements tab on your profile page. What are client ratings?
Client ratings are feedback from a lawyer's current and former clients, and can be helpful to other users looking for an attorney. If an individual has been, or is currently, the client of a lawyer, they can submit a client rating. However, please note that we may not post client ratings that:
Why are client ratings included in my profile?
Client ratings are helpful both to you and to your prospective clients. You know how valuable referrals can be in generating new business; client ratings allow you to reach a broader audience with the positive feedback from your current and former clients. Consumers find these personal comments very helpful and reassuring, as they give them a sense for some of the more subjective aspects of working with a lawyer. How do I get client ratings?
You can invite current and former clients to submit a client rating based on their experiences working with you. Simply go to the Client Ratings tab on your profile page and click the "Request client rating" button. Before you can request client ratings, you'll need to register and claim your profile. It's fast, easy, and free - see How do I update and edit my profile? for details. If I was the client of another attorney, can I write a client rating?
If you want to provide feedback on another attorney, submit a peer endorsement rather than a client rating. Lawyers bring a different perspective when evaluating their peers, and it's most helpful to the user if client ratings are written only by non-lawyers. How do you know ratings are written by my actual clients?
We take several steps to maintain the quality of ratings: We require users to register before submitting a rating, and we review every client rating before we post it. We also rely on the Avvo community, so please let us know if you see a rating that seems suspicious or incorrect. How can I advertise on Avvo?
Avvo offers advertising opportunities for lawyers who want increased visibility on Avvo. Please contact Avvo advertising sales for more information. Can I improve my Avvo Rating or search results placement if I buy advertising?
No. The Avvo Rating and the order of search results are completely independent of advertising, and cannot be influenced by any form of payment. Do I need a minimum Avvo Rating to advertise on your site?
No. The ability to advertise is not in any way dependent on your Avvo Rating. Advertising and the Avvo Rating are completely independent from each other. Who can edit or make changes to a case?You must be added to a case to make changes to it. Any attorney added to a case can make the following changes to case details:
Only those lawyers associated with a particular Party may change or edit that party's outcome. Only the person who added a lawyer to a case can remove that lawyer. What is Avvo Answers & Advice?
Avvo Answers and Advice offers a free question and answer forum where people can ask attorneys – anonymously – any legal question and receive personalized answers. Consumers are overwhelmed and intimidated when faced with the legal industry's big words, complex processes and serious consequences. They have a lot of questions, and Avvo Answers & Advice provides a forum for you to help them. Your submissions to Avvo Answers also appear on your Avvo profile for prospective clients to review. What do I get for answering questions? How can I earn points or an Avvo badge?
There are multiple ways for a lawyer to earn points toward an Avvo badge. Start by answering questions within your practice area(s). You will earn one point for every question answered. The community then has a chance to vote on the quality of your answer and you will earn points if your answer is rated highly. To read more about points, check out our Badge Guidelines. What if I see a question that is inappropriate?
If you see content in Avvo Answers that doesn't belong, be sure to flag it as objectionable. Flagging allows the community to tell Avvo when a Question or Answer is inappropriate. An e-mail will be sent to our Customer Care team who will look at the question or answer and take further action if necessary. Why should I write a legal guide?Legal guides are short, consumer-focused guides to a particular issue or area of law. They can be general or very specific, but they should be consumer-friendly. Your name, photo and a link to your profile will appear on your legal guides, enhancing your visibility on Avvo and showcasing your expertise. You will also earn 50 points toward your Avvo contribution badge for every Legal Guide written, and another 10 points for each guide selected as an Avvo "Staff Pick." Do I retain copyright in my Legal Guides?Yes. Although you are giving Avvo a license to publish your Legal Guides on Avvo and partner sites, you may republish work you've written elsewhere as a legal guide, syndicate your Avvo Legal Guides into your own site, or even delete your Legal Guides. Why didn't Avvo publish my Legal Guide?Occasionally, Avvo will decline to publish a Legal Guide. Although it is in Avvo's discretion whether to publish any particular Legal Guide, most guides that are rejected for publication are either (a) exclusively or overly promotional; or (b) not directed at consumers. What is Avvo Pro?
Avvo Pro is a premium subscription service designed to give you greater visibility on Avvo, enabling clients to connect with you faster and easier. In addition to enhanced profile customization and contact options, Avvo Pro gives you a detailed breakdown of user traffic to your search listing, profile, answers, client reviews, and even lets you track client contacts. Learn more How much does Avvo Pro cost?
$49.95 per month. Does Avvo Pro affect my Avvo Rating or placement in the search results?
No. The Avvo Rating and the order of search results are completely independent of advertising, and cannot be influenced by any form of payment. What does "enhanced profile customization" really mean?
Avvo Pro gives you the ability to customize your profile in new ways. For example, you can greet prospective clients with an introductory tagline at the top of your profile page. You can also select two of your favorite client reviews to feature along with your tagline. Learn more How long will it take for my Avvo Pro subscription to activate?
Your Avvo Pro subscription is active as soon as you finish signing up. You will be prompted to customize your profile, and those changes will be immediately visible to all Avvo users. It may take up to an hour for your contact information to appear in search results. |
Back to top