Comments on: Avvo & Their Defective Lawyer Rating System Biased Against Solos & Small Firms

By: Maggie Clancy

Maggie Clancy — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 23:17:06 +0000

AVVO does not review alleged “client” reviews before they are posted – so says the email they sent me after a criminal client (my only kind) complained about me. The complaint referenced a type of case I’ve never even handled. Oh, and they posted that I was a drug addict. Maybe ask the attorney? Especially one without any disciplinary problems.

AVVO also lists incorrect info about me, which could result in my losing clients. Long story short, I think they are interfering with my business, among other torts.

It only scores what other people write. So for example, I could get my husband to write 50 clients reviews, I don’t think you have to give an email even.

Maggie

By: charlesakrugel

charlesakrugel — Sun, 22 May 2011 14:56:02 +0000

Hi Jonathan,

Thanks for commenting on my website regarding Avvo. You raise a good point about the M-H comparison. Still, I think it’s sleazy of Avvo to not allow an attorney to “unclaim” their profile. Like I’ve said before, I don’t care whether I’m on Avvo or not, I just want to “unclaim” my profile.

Sincerely,

Charles Krugel

By: Jonathan C. Reed

Jonathan C. Reed — Sun, 22 May 2011 04:20:39 +0000

As a lawyer in a 3 person Las Vegas, Nevada firm I don’t agree with your view that avvo.com is biased against small law firms. I think back to the “old days” when Martindale-Hubbell was the only rating game in town. Both rating systems depend in part on recommendations from other atorneys. Both can be “abused” by having “power broker” big shot attorney ask other lawyers to recommend a colleague. The target of this request doesn’t want to offend “power broker” big shot so writes the recommendation for the colleague. But, if you go thru avvo.com listings you will see that more solos and small firms (at least in my town of Las Vegas) “claim” their free profiles than big law firms. Also your online profile at avvo.com is free. Now, Martindale Hubbell will rate you but won’t list your rating online unless you pay them.
I do agree that it is burdensome for an attorney who not “claimed” his or her avvo.com profile to recommend you.

By: 6 Reasons Why You Need To Stop Bashing Avvo And Get With It

6 Reasons Why You Need To Stop Bashing Avvo And Get With It — Mon, 09 May 2011 06:01:37 +0000

[...] So rather than run the race, you sit by the sidelines and carp about Avvo’s ranking system and the lack of transparency. [...]

By: Former Avvo Attorney

Former Avvo Attorney — Sun, 20 Feb 2011 16:39:09 +0000

They’ve already been sued and although the judge noted that AVVO is highly questionable in its alleged “algorythm” the court dismissed the case saying the AVVO system is better than nothing. Such legal reasoning is, well, typical when judges are political animals dependant on being appointed through the political process.

I talked with one AVVO attorney and asked how he had so much time to post so many “guides” (over 50 per week) and he admitted to having students and interns that worked for him for nothing writing them for him.

Hardly speaks well for the integrity of the “algorythm” or the overall system that gives high visibility to those who produce the most.