Avvo reviews: a guide for consumers
Choosing an attorney is a big decision, and you should be able to base it on more than a profile photo and bio. That’s where Avvo client reviews come in.
Reviews on Avvo are written by people who hired or consulted with an attorney and chose to share their experience. Reading them is like asking someone, “Do you know a good lawyer?”—except instead of one opinion, you get many.
On an attorney’s Avvo profile, you’ll see client reviews alongside credentials, practice areas, and endorsements from other lawyers to help you decide who to contact.
| What you’ll find in a client review | |
| Client reviews often cover: | |
| ◇ | How well the attorney communicated and kept the client informed |
| ◇ | Whether the client felt listened to and respected |
| ◇ | The attorney’s knowledge and preparation |
| ◇ | How responsive the attorney was to questions or concerns |
| ◇ | Whether the client would recommend the attorney to someone else |
How we keep reviews trustworthy
Reviews are most useful if you can trust them. Our guidelines and moderation are designed to keep the system fair for both consumers and attorneys.
Reviews must come from people who hired or consulted with an attorney—not opposing parties, their family members, people who never worked with the attorney, or staff posing as clients. When a review is flagged or disputed, our moderators review it under Avvo’s Community Guidelines. We don’t investigate or arbitrate the underlying facts, but if a review doesn’t reflect a legitimate client experience or violates guidelines, we remove it, regardless of whether it’s positive or negative.
| Tips for getting the most out of reviews | |
| Look for patterns, not one-offs | One glowing or one harsh review does not tell the whole story; repeated themes usually tell you more. |
| Prioritize specifics | Concrete details (for example, “She explained every step and returned calls within a day”) are more useful than “Great lawyer!” |
| Consider the full profile | Reviews are just one part of the picture. Look at them alongside the attorney’s credentials, peer endorsements, experience, Q&A answers, and legal guides. |
| Remember legal outcomes vary | A lawyer can do excellent work and still get a disappointing result because of facts or law they cannot control. |
Frequently asked questions
Are reviews anonymous?
Yes. You can leave a review without showing your name publicly. Legal matters are often deeply personal and private. If an attorney disputes a review, we may contact you to confirm your relationship with them, but we don’t share your identity with the attorney.
Can an attorney have a negative review removed just because they don’t like it?
No. Attorneys can dispute reviews they believe violate our guidelines or didn’t come from a real client, but disliking a review isn’t grounds for removal. If a review reflects a genuine client experience and follows our guidelines, it stays, whether it’s one star or five.
Does paying for advertising on Avvo affect how reviews are handled?
No. An attorney’s advertising or paid services with Avvo have no impact on how we moderate reviews. All reviews are held to the same standards, whether the attorney has a free profile or is a paying customer.
What happens if I think a review looks fake?
If a review seems suspicious, you can report it to Customer Care. Our team will review it against the same standards we apply to every review.
Can attorneys respond to reviews?
Yes, attorneys can post a public response to any review on their profile. Their replies may be brief or general because ethics rules limit how much client information they can share publicly, even when they would like to say more to clarify the situation.
How are Avvo reviews different from reviews on Google or Yelp?
Avvo is built specifically for lawyers and law firms, so our review rules and moderation are tailored to attorney-client relationships. We require that reviewers have hired or consulted with the attorney and give attorneys a clear process to dispute reviews they believe are inauthentic—requirements that many general review sites don’t have.
Do client reviews affect the Avvo Rating?
No. Client reviews and the Avvo Rating are separate. Reviews capture the human side of working with a lawyer, such as the communication, support, and overall experience, while the Avvo Rating reflects professional factors like experience, credentials, recognition, and disciplinary history. Your review appears on the attorney’s profile but doesn’t change their numerical rating.