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Imagine a potential client—someone who just suffered a serious injury, was arrested, or is facing a high-stakes legal matter. They don’t know where to start. What’s the first thing they do?
They Google “best lawyer near me” or search for attorney reviews online.
One of the first results they’ll likely see is Avvo, one of the most prominent lawyer review and rating platforms. If your Avvo rating is high, it can build trust and attract new clients. If it’s low—or nonexistent—it could cost you valuable leads.
As a lawyer, you are the guide in your client’s journey—someone who will help them navigate their legal challenges. But before they trust you, they need proof of your credibility. That’s where Avvo ratings come in.
This guide will break down everything you need to know about Avvo ratings, including:
✅ What Avvo ratings are and how they work
✅ How to improve your Avvo score
✅ Whether Avvo ratings actually matter for law firms
Let’s get started.
The Avvo rating is a numerical score from 1 to 10 that evaluates attorneys based on:
🚀 The goal? If you’re a practicing lawyer, you want your Avvo rating to be as close to 10.0 as possible.
Unlike Google reviews, Avvo ratings aren’t based only on client feedback. Instead, Avvo uses a proprietary algorithm to score attorneys based on:
✅ Years of legal experience
✅ Areas of practice
✅ Education & law school attended
✅ Verified client testimonials
✅ Recommendations from other attorneys
✅ Awards from organizations like Super Lawyers, Martindale-Hubbell, and the Bar Association
✅ Published legal articles and case studies
🚨 Any disciplinary actions from the state bar will negatively impact your score.
Yes—and no.
✔️ Potential clients check Avvo ratings before hiring a lawyer.
✔️ A high rating builds credibility and attracts more leads.
✔️ Avvo often appears on the first page of Google for lawyer searches.
✔️ Good ratings = more trust in competitive legal markets.
🚫 Not all clients check Avvo before hiring a lawyer.
🚫 SEO, Google reviews, and referrals still drive more leads.
🚫 Avvo’s algorithm isn’t always transparent.
🔍 The Bottom Line: A strong Avvo rating helps, but it shouldn’t be your only focus. SEO, Google reviews, and word-of-mouth referrals are still more important for law firm marketing.
Want a higher Avvo score? Here’s how to boost your rating and credibility.
✅ Add your legal experience, education, and bar admissions
✅ Fill in all practice areas (criminal defense, personal injury, etc.)
✅ Upload a professional headshot and law firm logo
💡 Ask satisfied clients to leave honest reviews on Avvo.
💡 The more positive testimonials, the stronger your credibility.
📌 Ask fellow lawyers to endorse you on Avvo.
📌 More peer recommendations = higher rating.
🏆 Add Super Lawyers, Best Lawyers, and Martindale-Hubbell rankings.
📖 Publish legal articles and thought leadership content.
🚨 Ethical violations will tank your Avvo score—stay compliant!
If you’re an attorney, your Avvo rating is another piece of your digital reputation. It’s not the only factor clients consider, but it can help you stand out in a competitive legal market.
The best approach?
✅ Optimize your Avvo profile for maximum credibility.
✅ Focus on Google reviews, SEO, and referrals to drive leads.
✅ Make sure your online presence builds trust and authority.
Need help improving your law firm’s digital marketing? Contact us today to build a strategy that attracts more clients and grows your practice.
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