In the legal industry, credibility is everything. Most people research online before they ever call an attorney, which means your digital footprint matters. One platform that consistently shows up in searches for legal reviews is Avvo—a directory and review site built around legal professionals.
By understanding how Avvo reviews shape client decisions and using the platform strategically, solo attorneys and firms can boost visibility and strengthen their reputations.
A Thomson Reuters survey found that attorneys with client reviews were twice as likely to be chosen over those without a digital footprint.
In This Guide
What Is AVVO and Why It Matters to You
Avvo is a legal directory that automatically creates profiles for attorneys across the United States using public bar records. These profiles can include an attorney’s background, practice areas, bar data, and—if claimed—peer endorsements and client reviews. Avvo makes it simple for potential clients to find attorneys by location and specialty. For lawyers, it’s a chance to show credibility, build trust, and appear in front of people actively looking for legal help.
Who Benefits from Avvo’s Legal Profiles?
Avvo isn’t just for large firms. Attorneys across the spectrum can benefit:
Solo Attorneys: Stand out in local searches, highlight your expertise, and give prospects a reason to call you instead of the lawyer down the street.
Small to Mid-Sized Firms: Ensure each attorney has a complete, consistent profile that reflects the strength of your entire team.
Specialized Practitioners: Avvo’s categorization makes it easier for clients with niche needs to find the right fit.
An accurate, professional presence on Avvo creates a stronger first impression and helps you capture business you might otherwise lose.
How Avvo Compares to Other Legal Review Platforms
Your firm might already appear on multiple review sites—Google, Martindale-Hubbell, FindLaw, or legal directories like Justia. So what makes Avvo different?
- Dedicated Legal Focus: Avvo exists solely for attorneys. Clients aren’t sorting through unrelated businesses to find you.
- Structured Profiles: Profiles highlight details like licenses, publications, and bar memberships, giving prospective clients a deeper look at your qualifications.
- Peer Endorsements: Endorsements from fellow attorneys add professional weight.
- Search Visibility: Avvo pages often rank well in Google results, putting your name in front of people searching for legal help.
Why Avvo Should Be Part of Your Legal Reputation Strategy
Having a profile on Avvo isn’t just about being listed—it’s about shaping how potential clients see you. Here’s why Avvo reviews should be part of your reputation plan:
- Improves Online Visibility: Avvo’s SEO authority helps your profile show up in location- and practice-based searches.
- Supports Credibility: Verified licenses, bar data, and peer endorsements give your profile authenticity.
- Strengthens First Impressions: A complete, professional profile builds trust before you even speak with a prospect.
Track, manage, and respond with speed.
Protect your reputation and keep customers coming back.
How to Claim and Manage Your Avvo Listing
Avvo often builds profiles automatically. Claiming yours is straightforward:
- Go to Avvo.com.
- Search for your name and location.
- Click “Claim profile.”
- Confirm your identity.
- Update your info. Once verified, edit and maintain your profile to ensure accuracy.
Best Practices for Responding to Avvo Reviews
What happens after you get a review on Avvo? It’s time to respond. While attorneys don’t face HIPAA-style restrictions like doctors do, the American Bar Association (ABA) and many state bars emphasize the importance of professionalism, confidentiality, and avoiding disclosures when replying to client feedback. Here’s how to handle reviews the right way:
- Thank them: Always acknowledge the time a client took to leave feedback. A simple, “Thank you for sharing your experience,” goes a long way.
- Stay professional: If the review is negative, resist the urge to get defensive. A calm, polite reply shows prospective clients you handle criticism well. For example: “We’re sorry to hear you felt this way. Please reach out to us directly so we can address your concerns.”
- Protect confidentiality: Never reveal or confirm case details, strategies, or client identities in a review response — even if the reviewer does. Keep replies general and professional.
- Use reviews as a signal: Positive or negative, reviews can highlight what’s working and what needs improvement in your practice. Treat them as valuable feedback for your client service. By responding thoughtfully, you show both current and prospective clients that you value feedback and take professionalism seriously.
How to Handle Negative Reviews on Avvo
Negative reviews are inevitable, but they don’t have to damage your reputation. The key is in how you respond:
- Assess the feedback: Ask yourself if there’s a real issue you can learn from — whether it’s communication, timeliness, or client expectations.
- Flag inappropriate content: If a review includes false statements, offensive language, or violates Avvo’s guidelines, you can request that it be reviewed and possibly removed.
- Take it offline: The best way to resolve a complaint is outside of the public forum. A response like, “We’d like to discuss this with you directly. Please contact our office so we can better understand your concerns,” demonstrates professionalism while keeping the conversation private.
When handled correctly, negative reviews become an opportunity to build credibility, showing future clients that you’re responsive, ethical, and committed to improvement.
Smart Reputation Management Across Review Platforms
Avvo is valuable, but it’s just one piece of the puzzle. A strong legal reputation strategy requires monitoring and managing reviews across Google, Facebook, and other directories. This is where solutions like ReviewInc step in, helping attorneys and firms track reviews across multiple platforms, respond quickly, and keep messaging consistent. With the right system in place, you maintain a polished, professional image everywhere you appear online.
Common Questions About Avvo
How do I encourage clients to leave reviews without feeling pushy?
Keep it professional and low-pressure. A simple thank-you at the end of a case or a follow-up note can open the door. For example: “Your feedback helps us improve and lets others know what to expect when working with us. If you’d like to share your experience, we’d appreciate it.”
Additionally, tools like ReviewInc’s email or text message requests allow firms to send follow-ups that make it easy for clients to leave reviews on the platforms that matter most, including Avvo. This approach keeps the process convenient, respectful, and fully under your control, so clients can leave a review at their own pace.
Can I control the Avvo reviews shown on my profile?
What if my Avvo profile has incorrect information?
Once you’ve claimed your profile, most details can be corrected directly. For information pulled from public bar records, Avvo may require verification or updates from your state bar. Meanwhile, your Avvo reviews remain visible and unaffected by profile edits.
How does Avvo differ from other legal platforms?
Avvo reviews are built into a platform designed specifically for attorneys. Unlike general review sites, Avvo combines client feedback with structured profiles, peer endorsements, and license verification, giving prospective clients a more complete picture. For more about other legal review sites, see our Industry-Specific Review Sites guide.
What should I do if I get a fake or inappropriate Avvo review?
Flag the review on Avvo and provide details about why you believe it’s false or violates guidelines. Avvo will then contact the reviewer to confirm they were an actual or potential client. During the dispute process, the review will not appear on your profile. If the reviewer confirms, it may be reposted with any edits they make.
What role does ReviewInc play in managing Avvo reviews?
While Avvo hosts the reviews, ReviewInc helps attorneys track and respond to them alongside feedback from Google, Facebook, and other directories. This centralizes your review strategy and ensures that Avvo reviews aren’t overlooked.
