Menu
For Business Write a review File a complaint
Avvo Customer Service Phone, Email, Contacts

Avvo
Reviews and Complaints

www.avvo.com

Learn how the rating is calculated

4.4 16 Reviews 20 Complaints
Claim Your Business
Take control of your profile: address complaints and engage with reviews
Write a review File a complaint

Avvo Reviews 196

ComplaintsBoard
E
12:00 am EDT

Avvo AVVO - A Cautionary Tale

As someone deeply invested in the legal field, I feel compelled to share a cautionary tale about AVVO. The Law Office of Karen M. Seward P.C. has unfortunately been entangled in the web of dissatisfaction that surrounds AVVO. Numerous customers have expressed their dismay, highlighting issues ranging from unethical practices to poor communication. It's disheartening to see a platform that should uphold legal integrity fall short in such a significant manner. Potential clients, please proceed with caution when navigating the murky waters of AVVO.

Read full review of Avvo
Hide full review
ComplaintsBoard
I
9:12 pm EDT
Verified customer This review was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Avvo For Rafael de la Garza attorneys and all his staff involved

I can only say this is the hardest working team i ever had pleasure defending me oh i get in some trouble no doubt miss Maria is so on top of the case constantly keeping me in the knowhow and know what This team worked very hard and over a period of time never letting me down never letting me not know court dates plea bargains and everthang involved they are very professional and a very GREAT TEAM on the board I highly and strongly recommend the Rafael de la Garza Team myself I know that if they are on your side they FIGHT not roll over n whine Thank All of the Rafael de la Garza Team your in my prayers don gerlock

Read full review of Avvo
Hide full review
ComplaintsBoard
I
8:53 pm EDT
Verified customer This review was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Avvo There are caring lawyers out there and honest

In 2015, I received a letter stating I was having legal action taken against my nursing license. I went to Chicago and was blessed to meet Ms. Lillian Walanka. She took my case and determined that no offense had been done and cleared my nursing license. She later followed up when the state of Illinois made an error in record keeping and notified me of such. I just received an email stating my license is clear. The latter was even done pro bono. Ms. Walanka was there during a very difficult time in my life and supported me the whole way. She was not only my lawyer, but I consider her a friend. Blessings to her and her team for everything they have accomplished.

Read full review of Avvo
Hide full review
  1. Pros
    1. Comprehensive lawyer directory
    2. Free legal advice Q&A
    3. Detailed attorney profiles
    4. Client review system
    5. Lawyer rating feature
  1. Cons
    1. Limited legal advisor vetting
    2. Reviews may not reflect quality
    3. Potential for biased ratings
    4. No in-depth case analysis
ComplaintsBoard
I
Verified customer This review was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Avvo This Attorney is definitely amazing and on point

I met Travis S. Groves, Attorney at Law when I needed court appointed counsel. I qualified for it but didn't expect to get someone like him. Down right honest and straight to the point. This man will give you 100% and expects the same from you... Representing you is not the issue, representing you correctly is. He will do just that. I felt like he cared about the outcome and that he felt like he wasn't wasting his time. He kept me from being bullied by opposing attorney and his client(my ex-wife)who at the time felt they could just hold me in contempt for any reason. He gave me great understanding of what I was facing and the consequences of what could happen and protected me from foul play. He is a stand up Lawyer and well respected in the community. His office staff is as professional as it gets. Thank you Mr. Travis S. Groves.

Read full review of Avvo
Hide full review
ComplaintsBoard
P
Verified customer This review was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Avvo Attorney Russell Cate out of Carmel Indiana

Was truly a blessing for me after countless attempts from other attorneys who should have amateur stamp next to their names, because they could not get done what attorney Russell Cate got done for me. I was told I could never gain my full rights back, other attorneys have told me. Russell Cate high level of intelligence of the law. By his name is stamp pro attorney Russell Cate. Very knowledgeable of the law which makes him Supreme, I use three lawyers in the past and all of them failed my request, about 10 or more simply told me to live with my conviction. To make a long story short attorney Russell Cate got my felony reduced to a misdemeanor then expunged. You want to win or at least deal with an attorney that will fight to the end of the road for you. I wish I could have met him 15 years ago. I'm very happy and always in debt to Mr Russell Cate truly a success story. Attorney Russell Cate ***016

Read full review of Avvo
Hide full review
ComplaintsBoard
N
Verified customer This review was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Avvo Unlike similar legal sites which offer help and then

Unlike similar legal sites which offer help and then ask you to pay, or bid to pay for services, this one is truly free and it works, too. In my experience you'll get an attorney responding within 24 hours. And it'll be a local attorney, or at least as local as the same state, so you get appropriate answers too.

You don't have the option to make your initial question into an ongoing thread, which is probably wise, as these things can quickly get bogged down. So you need to give careful thought to how you frame your question and get as much pertinent information in there as you can. Then sit back and see if you get helpful answers over the next few days, after which the question will be closed to new answers.

Think about how you title your question - there is ample room for a good title. Then use the first, limited space to describe the issue as fully as you can. You will get a chance to add additional information on the next page and the space for this appears to be unlimited.

There are, of course, thousands of questions that have been answered already and searching the site is probably a good idea before you ask one that's already been solved.

If you get a good answer, don't forget to click the "helpful" button.

This isn't going to replace an attorney and it's not intended to, but it will point you in the right direction and may save you some time and money.

Read full review of Avvo
Hide full review
ComplaintsBoard
P
Verified customer This review was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Avvo Life-Saving Legal Help: Janae Randall at Avvo Is the Best Lawyer for Divorce and Custody Battles

Yo, I'm not really a review-writing type of person, but lemme tell you, Avvo was a life-saver when I was going through my divorce and custody battle with my daughter. I had no idea where to even start when looking for a lawyer, but then I heard a radio ad for this law firm with a lawyer named jenae Randall who specialized in divorces and custody battles. I had talked to a few other lawyers already, but none of them really seemed to get how serious my case was. When I met with janae, though, I automatically felt better. She paid close attention to every little detail of my case and I could tell that she genuinely cared about getting me the best outcome possible.

Throughout my entire case, Janae was there for me. She kept me in the loop about everything that was going on and gave me a sense of control and awareness during the rocky parts of the custody battle. Honestly, she was the only person who really understood what I was going through. And now that everything's said and done, I couldn't be happier with the outcome. If I ever need legal advice again in the future, I know exactly who to call.

So if you're going through a divorce or custody battle and you need some help, I would highly recommend Janae Randall at Avvo. She's the best, no question about it. Thanks for everything, Janae!

Read full review of Avvo
Hide full review
ComplaintsBoard
C
Verified customer This review was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Avvo Avvo Review Process: A Flawed System for Evaluating Lawyers

I been using this website for a while now, posting review about the lawyers I hired. When I praise a lawyer giving him or her five stars, the review process goes through quite smoothly, and I usually get an approval statement the next day. However, I found myself in hot water when I tried to leave two negative reviews on the website for lawyers who did not meet my expectations. Sadly, my backlash reviews violated the website's "community guidelines," and the day after I submitted them, the website rejected both my reviews. They didn't even tell me exactly which guideline or guidelines I breached. This seems odd since this website specifically deals with lawyers who are known for precisely following guidelines and intricate details.

It took me quite a while to reduce my negative reviews to meet the community guidelines since the rules are quite vague. Furthermore, this website wants to cater towards a more mature audience with their services, since they want to evaluate professionals such as laywers. Surprisingly, this website messed up big time as they seem to have violated my client-attorney privacy. In one of the cases, my lawyer, Andrew Fitzgerald from Winston-Salem in North Carolina, tried to deny that I was his client, and Avvo asked me for proof that I have been his client. Doing this violated the privacy of our agreement and seems wrong for a website that is supposed to protect the interests of its clients. However, after several days and emails back and forth with Avvo, the negative review was eventually posted on Mr. Fitzgerald's profile.

Looking at Avvo's website, they claim they want to provide "more information" for potential clients to make "better decisions." However, it appears they don't seem to make any effort verifying positive reviews, which are very often given by the personal friends of a given lawyer. Avvo seems to verify positive reviews only in cases where they're challenged by the lawyer and do not verify them otherwise. In contrast, negative reviews undergo a more thorough review process where the lawyers get a chance to question them. Consequently, in the case of incompetent, unprofessional, or disreputable lawyers, Avvo does not do a great job in providing a platform for consumers to make "better decisions."

Read full review of Avvo
Hide full review
ComplaintsBoard
A
Verified customer This review was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Avvo Beware of Forsyth County Family Law Practice and Avvo's Scam Reviews: My Experience

So, I hired this lawyer that said they were the best family law practice in Forsyth County, Georgia. But it turned out that they only cared about making the most money they could out of me. And when it came to representing me in court, they did a terrible job. They weren't prepared at all, and they even gave away stuff to my ex that we had agreed to sell. After 20 years of marriage, I was left with just a coffee table, tool box, and a firearm.

When I complained to my lawyer about the terrible job they did, they threatened to sue me if I told anyone. So, I went to Avvo to share my experience and warn others. But, to my surprise, my post was removed just a week later. Apparently, Avvo only allows good reviews from their paying subscribers. It doesn't matter how bad the service was. And yes, the law firm in question even sued their own client on Avvo, but no one seems to care.

I think that Avvo is a scam. They only care about making money from lawyers who want to hide bad reviews. So, if you want honest reviews of lawyers, don't use Avvo. Find another place to look for reviews.

Read full review of Avvo
Hide full review
ComplaintsBoard
C
Verified customer This review was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Avvo Disappointed with Avvo's Customer Service: No Help with Legal Issue Involving Non-English Speaking Neighbors

Avvo is a website that is supposed to be all about helping people find legal assistance and advice. Unfortunately for me, their customer service is quite the joke. I am currently a tenant in a 2 family home and I have been having some issues with my next door neighbors. They have been neglecting their pets and even damaging some of my property. The major issue that I have been having with them is that we cannot communicate with each other fluently as they don’t speak English. I have brought this issue to my landlord several times but he seems to have a different approach. I believe this family to be illegal immigrants because of how they act but I’m not entirely sure.

I decided to try out Avvo with the hope of getting some legal advice on how to deal with this situation without involving the police. However, it turned out to be a total waste of my time. I tried posting my question on their website but nothing showed up. This led me to contact their support team via email. That was when I had the displeasure of interacting with a senior customer care representative named Katherine who was totally nasty to me. She informed me that my post was irrelevant and that it wasn’t posted because I included “unnecessary information”. She stated that their immigration status and their inability to communicate in not-so-perfect English was discriminatory and irrelevant to my problem. It seemed like her reading comprehension skills were quite poor because I had mentioned several times that I did not want to involve the police and that I was not trying to be discriminatory in any way.

Despite having made a clear effort in explaining my situation, it felt like my post was irrelevant, and I was left unsure of where to turn next. Katherine never responded to any of my subsequent emails, and I was left feeling completely ignored. It was almost like she had decided that I had an issue with illegal immigrants and that I didn’t deserve legal advice. This was really frustrating, especially given that their website is supposed to be supporting people with legal problems.

Read full review of Avvo
Hide full review
ComplaintsBoard
C
Verified customer This review was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Avvo Avvo's Frustrating Review Process and Invasive Email Marketing

So, here's the deal with Avvo. I was asked to write a review for my attorney, which I did, and let me tell you, it was a really good one. Then, out of nowhere, Avvo sends me an email saying that my review was rejected due to some vague "community standards" that they have. But get this, they don't give you any specifics on what those standards are! They just expect you to magically know what they want from you.

Now, I've got to go back and read all this fine print just to figure out what Avvo wants from me. What a waste of time! It's like they're asking me to do an unpaid survey or something. And to top it all off, they won't even let me edit my original review and resubmit it. Nope, I have to start completely from scratch. What a joke.

And don't even get me started on Avvo's email marketing. They just assume that I want to be subscribed to their emails, without even asking me if I want to be on their list. And, to make matters worse, they don't give me an option to unsubscribe from their emails. I mean, seriously, Avvo? How lazy can you get?

I don't even know why I'm bothering to write this review, but I'm just so frustrated with Avvo's terrible functionality that I feel like I need to vent. It's like they're trying to force me to do everything their way, instead of just letting me write a review in my own way. And they wonder why people are so annoyed with them.

In the end, it just feels like Avvo doesn't care about their users at all. They just want us to do everything their way, and if we don't, they reject our reviews and send us spam emails. It's no wonder that so many people are turning away from Avvo and looking for other options. If you're thinking about using Avvo, be prepared for a lot of frustration.

Read full review of Avvo
Hide full review
ComplaintsBoard
M
Verified customer This review was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Avvo Avvo Review: Terrible Experience Trying to Connect with Lawyer and Blocked Review

I gotta tell ya, I had a not-so-great experience trying to connect with a lawyer on Avvo. This dude named Marc Randazza was supposed to be the real deal, but he ended up being super rude and unprofessional. And get this, he even swore at me when I tried to ask a question. I mean, come on man, that's just not right.

So I decided to do the responsible thing and write an honest review on the Avvo website. But for some reason, they kept blocking my review without giving me any explanation. It was like I was being silenced or something. I mean, isn't the whole point of the site to promote free speech and help people find the right lawyer for them?

To make matters worse, I kept reaching out to their customer service team for answers. But each time, I got some lady named Anna who just kept sending me the same canned responses about their "community guidelines." It was like she didn't even read my message, you know? And when I tried to explain why my review didn't violate any guidelines, she just kept changing her story and giving me more nonsense.

Eventually, they even suspended my account without any notice or warning. I mean, what the hell? I'm just trying to speak my mind and share my experience. But it seems like Avvo only cares about protecting the reputation of their precious lawyers. If you look on the site, every lawyer has like a 4.5 star rating or higher. That just doesn't seem legit to me.

Anyway, I did manage to get my review written in the end. Here it is, for those who want to see it:

I reached out to Marc Randazza on March 14 for help with a civil rights case. According to Avvo, this was supposed to be one of his areas of expertise. But all I got from him was a rude email chain that I've included below. Just take a look at it for yourself and decide if this is someone you want to work with:

On Tue, Mar 14,2017 at 1:48 PM, I wrote:
Hello,
My matter is a Section 1983 Civil Rights complaint...

On Tuesday, March 14,2017 1:54 PM, Marc Randazza replied:
I dont do this kind of law. I can not help you.

On Tue, Mar 14,2017 at 1:58 PM, I responded:
Avvo says you handle civil rights cases, is that not true?

On Tuesday, March 14,2017 2:01 PM, Marc Randazza replied:
How about you fk off?

On Tue, Mar 14,2017 at 2:14 PM, I responded:
How about I post your email on AVVO so everyone can see it?

On Tuesday, March 14,2017 2:18 PM, Marc Randazza replied:
Go right the fk ahead.

Marc John Randazza, JD, MAMC, LLM
Randazza Legal Group
Miami - Las Vegas - Philadelphia - San Francisco
Sent from iPhone (maybe even using Siri). If the message is at all intelligible, it is a minor miracle.

So yeah, that's my story. Do with it what you will, but just be warned that Avvo might not be the best place to find a lawyer who's truly on your side.

Read full review of Avvo
Hide full review
ComplaintsBoard
F
Verified customer This review was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Avvo Stay Away from Marti Goldstein P.A: Unprofessional and Greedy Attorney

My experience with Marti Goldstein P. A was nothing short of a disaster. I paid over $7,500 for services that were not properly rendered. I wish I could give a positive review, but unfortunately, Marti only cared about her own financial gain.

She is incredibly unprofessional and difficult to work with. You would think that for a hourly rate of $350-$500, you would be speaking to someone in a professional office setting. But instead, I had to deal with nonstop screaming babies in the background. And after being fooled into a "retainer" and paying a whopping $5,000-$10,000, I quickly realized that Marti L. Goldstein only cared about taking my money.

It's truly disheartening to see that there are attorneys out there who lack basic morals and ethics. Marti Louden Goldstein, a new attorney in the state of Florida, representing counties such as Dade County, Coral Gables and Fort Lauderdale, is only concerned with greed and financial gain. It's important to note that I've had great experiences in the past with family law attorneys who charged a fraction of her fees. I'm willing to pay for quality representation, but Marti is clearly inexperienced and lacks basic legal knowledge.

My advice is to go with an experienced lawyer who truly has your best interests at heart. Marti will lie and manipulate you into thinking she's working for you, only to demand more money that is completely unjustifiable. She will make false promises and never deliver on them. And to make matters worse, she will purposely drag out the legal process to charge you more fees.

Overall, my experience with Marti Goldstein P. A was an absolute nightmare. I'm honestly surprised I made it out alive. If you enjoy throwing your money away and never completing the legal matter you're seeking, then by all means go with Marti. But for everyone else, please do yourself a favor and look for an experienced attorney who truly cares about your well-being.

Read full review of Avvo
Hide full review
ComplaintsBoard
O
Verified customer This review was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Avvo Review of Avvo.com: Issues with Posting Reviews and User Interface

Avvo.com may have some good features, particularly when it comes to seeking legal advice, but my experience with the platform left me feeling doubtful of its trustworthiness. For this reason, I gave it a 1 out of 5 stars rating (though it has since been updated to 2 out of 5 on Sep 19, which I will explain below). I will provide an overview of my experience in three parts: first, how I posted a negative review about a New York law firm that specializes in uncontested divorces, and how Avvo handled my complaint; second, how frequently reviews are posted for lawyers on Avvo, particularly for the aforementioned law firm; and third, some of the problems with Avvo's user interface.

Part one of my experience started when I wrote my first review on Aug 29th. Avvo initially accepted it for publication, but then revoked it a few days later, which left me feeling frustrated. I submitted a new, shorter review, but it was removed again on Sep 4th. Feeling annoyed, I contacted support to find out why my review was removed and how I could edit it to comply with Avvo's guidelines. Finally, on Sep 9th, my review was posted and approved by Avvo, but it was revoked again on Sep 15th. I contacted customer care again, but I have not received a response as of Sep 19th. Despite all this, the lawyer I reviewed never commented on my review, which I found strange.

Part two relates to the frequency at which reviews are posted for lawyers on Avvo. For example, between Aug 29th and Sep 19th, the law firm I reviewed received 20 more reviews. Considering the firm only has five attorneys, it suggests that they are processing a large number of cases each day in order to generate so many reviews. By contrast, other divorce lawyers in New York State typically have under 10 reviews, with a few exceptions.

Part three concerns some of Avvo's problems as a platform. Unlike Amazon, Avvo does not allow users to filter reviews by rating. This can make it difficult to search through reviews when there are a lot of them to sift through. Furthermore, some of Avvo's user interface seemed poorly designed and difficult to navigate.

Overall, while Avvo may have some useful resources for seeking legal advice, in my experience it proved untrustworthy when it came to posting reviews. I hope that Avvo can address some of these issues to make it a more reliable and user-friendly platform.

Read full review of Avvo
Hide full review
ComplaintsBoard
F
Verified customer This review was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Avvo Avvo's Rating System - Unreliable and Arbitrary, Misleading the Public and Extorting Attorneys

Avvo is a website that you can go to find lawyers, but there's more to it than meets the eye. Some say that Avvo's business model was originally developed by Don Corleone, and it might just be true. Avvo takes information from other websites without consent to initially create lawyer profiles, which is just plain wrong. Instead of getting permission, Avvo just goes ahead and scrapes the internet for any information it can find on different attorneys. This information is then used to create a profile for that lawyer. The profile Avvo creates has a rating system by way of some magic "algorithm" that's supposed to convey to the public the attorney's professional competence and expertise in their field.

The problem with Avvo's rating system is that it's very unreliable and arbitrary. Attorneys are affected by their rating even if they haven't claimed their profile. Attorneys can leave good or bad reviews about themselves, and even weirdos with internet access can leave reviews, which can fluctuate their rating. It's absurd that Avvo holds out its rating system to be credible when it's not. Claiming a profile doesn't have anything to do with any attorney's skills, ethics, or competence.

Avvo represents to the public that attorneys who don't claim their profile versus the ones that do are less competent professionally. This representation is inaccurate and unacceptable. Avvo misrepresents attorneys to the public, and it's just not fair. Attorneys work long and hard to become members of their respective bars, and their ethics, knowledge, and reputation are all they have. Avvo takes advantage of this by inaccurately representing to the public what attorneys have worked so hard to achieve.

Avvo's rating system is a toothless system that can only be made better by participating with the company or by paying it money. Attorneys have to pay Avvo $50 per month to make their rating better. It's extortionistic and just not right. Avvo is also known to violate terms and conditions from different websites to scrape information, which is wrong.

Avvo pirates information from different websites to create profiles and uses attorney names and likenesses to attract advertisers for its own gain. The attorneys receive no compensation from this. Avvo maximizes its gain by letting direct competitors in the same marketplace ads on each other's profiles. It's just not right.

Avvo refuses to delete attorney profiles despite repeated requests to do so. Its unilateral insistence on its adhesive terms and policies are simply not fair. These policies should only apply to itself and not to people who have never had any contact with the company or otherwise acquiesced to anything having to do with Avvo whatsoever.

In conclusion, Avvo is just a glorified Yelp with no credibility. It does nothing of substance, but it still stands to profit. If you're seeking an attorney, you'll be misguided by Avvo's "rating" system. If you're an attorney, Avvo will make you an offer you can't refuse.

Read full review of Avvo
Hide full review
ComplaintsBoard
J
Verified customer This review was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Avvo Avvo.com Review: My Traumatic Experience With Incompetent Lawyers and WV Courts - A Warning to Others

Okay, so listen up folks, I gotta tell you about my experience with Avvo.com. Now, this site is all about finding legal advice and representation, which is something I definitely needed a few years back. See, my daughter got attacked by this vicious pit bull and her injuries were horrific - lip torn off, eye needing 150 sutures, ear ripped apart, and even punctured on the neck near her jugular. It's hard to talk about, and honestly, I should have written this review a lot sooner, but it's been tough dealing with the aftermath of this traumatic event.

Anyway, I hired this attorney named Mike Benninger to help us out, and let me tell you, he was more concerned about showing off to his fellow lawyers than actually doing his job. He didn't care about my daughter's well-being or the fact that she was a gifted learner with an IQ in the genius range. Before the attack, her dentist even said she was the most well-adjusted child they'd ever seen! But did Benninger inquire about any of this? Nope, he just cared about raking in some cash for himself and his cronies.

During a conference, he even attacked me and didn't confer before asking if I wanted to sue for myself, which left me feeling exhausted and unprepared. He called in a psychologist to a deposition without consulting me, which was totally unprofessional. And the transcript was messed up - irrelevant questions were asked and the tape sounded like a younger person who was unsure of what they were saying. It was all a big mess, and I felt like Benninger was afraid of me because of my educational background (I was a 4.0 honor student, an undergraduate academic linguistic researcher, and a professional ballerina!).

To top it all off, when we finally received our settlement papers, the amount listed was incorrect and far less than what my daughter deserved. I rate Mike Benninger as a big fat loser, but I'm still giving Avvo.com five stars so my review will show up at the top of the list.

Now, I wish I could leave it at that, but unfortunately, my troubles with the legal system didn't end there. In 2005, my own mother and sister attempted to murder me in front of my daughter. And then in 2007, a cop actually battered my head on cement after I took a step backwards. As if that wasn't enough, my daughter's grandparents even kidnapped her and the WV courts helped them get away with it.

During a petition, my daughter's grandmother crouched and spoke gibberish, while her grandfather hunched over a cane and said he couldn't hear me. The attorney, Eldon Callen, was no help either - he screamed at my daughter and threatened to send her to juvy if she didn't do as her grandparents said. And don't even get me started on the hoarding abuse my daughter suffered...dragged out of bed by her ankles, pried eyes open for dinner at 10pm, asked to insert a suppository for $10, porn and masturbation from her grandfather, punched in the face by her grandmother - it was a nightmare.

Despite all this, the WV courts refused to take my side. Every person involved was incompetent, from Clawdges telling me to leave the state and never return to Commissioner Irene Perez who couldn't even recognize a character reference as genuine, to the attorney who disregarded harassment complaints from the grandparents. Due to WV's incompetence, my daughter's life was ruined and she's now a heroin addict who won't even speak to me. I've been beaten with canes, tazers, brooms, and even battered by hired henchmen. It's been a living hell.

But you know what really saved my daughter's life? Reiki, that's what. My Reiki skills were so powerful that even physicians couldn't save her. It's worth a lot, let me tell you that, but don't bother trying to hire me - I'm not taking any clients. I just want people to know that what happened to me and my daughter could happen to anyone, and the WV court system needs a major overhaul.

So yeah, that's my review of Avvo.com - it's not necessarily their fault that the legal system is messed up, but they could do a better job of vetting attorneys to make sure they're actually taking their clients' well-being into consideration. Don't let what happened to me and my daughter happen to you - do your research and find a lawyer who truly cares about your case.

Read full review of Avvo
Hide full review

Avvo Complaints 20

ComplaintsBoard
Z
3:23 pm EDT
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Avvo Avvo: A Complete Scam and a Waste of Money for Hiring Lawyers

Yo, lemme tell ya about Avvo. So I hired this lawyer named Andy Williams from Antiphon law office cuz of Avvo's recommendations. But let me tell ya, this website is a total scam! Williams was a complete disaster. He didn't file important paperwork for my child custody case and even messed up the ones he did file. The judge even informed him of his screwups four months after he filed the paperwork. This includes some important documents that could've helped me in the case. And on top of all that, dude wouldn't return any of my or the GAL's phone calls or emails! He didn't even want to really fight for my case and basically told me to give in to what my ex wanted.

So, I wrote all of this in a negative review on Avvo, but they didn't even publish it! And I followed their guidelines too, but nope, they still declined it. Later on, I found out that Avvo rates lawyers based on their bio and if they have a credit card on file. I mean, what kind of shady business is that?

After all of this, I ended up spending twice the amount of money to hire another lawyer to fix my case. Trust me, Avvo is a waste of time and money. I wouldn't recommend this website or that lawyer to anyone.

Read full review of Avvo
Hide full review
ComplaintsBoard
J
1:40 pm EDT
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Avvo Avvo's Biased Review System: My Experience and Concerns

I just wanted to share my experience with Avvo. Recently, I had a run-in with a lawyer who was quite a jerk to me. I had a simple question regarding Real Estate License that had just become a law in California. But instead of answering the question, he argued with me, trying to act tough because he's in another state. I was so frustrated that I decided to put a review on Avvo to warn others about this lawyer's attitude. However, my negative review was rejected by Avvo, which got me thinking - why?

Later on, I had an experience with an amazing lawyer, Mr. Frederick M. Ray in City of Orange, CA. He went above and beyond to give me advice, without charging me a penny. He was a great human being before being a great lawyer. So, I tried to write a positive review about him on Avvo, but it was turned down again. I really don't know why. Maybe Mr. Ray is no longer a part of Avvo, or maybe Avvo chooses to only publish good reviews of paid lawyers. Whatever the reason, it raises some serious questions about Avvo's intentions.

It's perplexing that a reputed review website like Avvo would reject honest reviews. When I tried to post my reviews, I didn't use any foul language or anything that shouldn't be published anywhere. Yet, my reviews were turned down. This makes me wonder - is Avvo really unbiased or is there a conflict of interest? I am asking this question because, as a consumer, I deserve to know the truth.

If a review website doesn't allow people to post honest reviews, then what's the point in using it? I, for one, have decided not to use Avvo anymore. Instead, I will trust other reputable review sites like Yelp to pick the right lawyer for me. Yelp has never rejected any of my reviews, and I have always found them to be reliable. In conclusion, it's alarming that Avvo is filtering out honest reviews, and I urge everyone to be careful.

Read full review of Avvo
Hide full review
ComplaintsBoard
R
12:09 pm EDT
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Avvo AVVO Protects Criminal Attorneys: My Warning for Others in Texas

Yo, I hired this attorney in Bell County, Texas and lemme tell you, he was straight-up TRASH [exclamation mark]. So, I hopped on AVVO and left my thoughts twice because I wanted to warn others about this joker and his lame criminal process [period]. But, AVVO bounced my reviews! Can you believe that [question mark]? They said my review had to be "objective" but how can I be objective when this guy was a straight-up CRIMINAL [exclamation mark]? It's not like I'm the only one who thinks this - I checked out other places on the interwebs and dude had a whole lot of BAD ratings, even from my sibling [period].

That attorney ended up losing business over three years 'cause the county's sheriffs department was playing dirty during weapons training - they got busted by the State of Texas, yo [exclamation mark]. But, let me tell you what really grinds my gears [comma], AVVO doesn't do jack-squat when attorneys are acting shady [exclamation mark]. I reported this guy's criminal activity to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, the Department of Army, and the American Civil Liberties Union [comma] and they're ALL looking into this punk [period].

So, what do you think AVVO does when one of their attorneys ends up disbarred or in lockdown [question mark]? Do they still ask for good reviews [question mark]? I mean, if a lawyer is acting like a criminal or not doing their job, why should they get a good review [question mark]? AVVO be playing politics and protecting their peeps with criminal intent [exclamation mark]. Do yourself a favor and find a different legal resource - ANYBODY but AVVO! [exclamation mark]

Read full review of Avvo
Hide full review

Is Avvo Legit?

Avvo earns a trustworthiness rating of 91%

Highly recommended, but caution will not hurt.

Our conclusion: After a detailed review, ComplaintsBoard finds Avvo to be a trustworthy company. Although there's a 5% resolution rate for customer complaints, which deserves attention, Avvo is known for their high standards and safety. If you're thinking about dealing with Avvo, it's wise to check how they handle complaints.

We found clear and detailed contact information for Avvo. The company provides a physical address, phone number, and 2 emails, as well as 4 social media accounts. This demonstrates a commitment to customer service and transparency, which is a positive sign for building trust with customers.

Avvo has received 7 positive reviews on our site. This is a good sign and indicates a safe and reliable experience for customers who choose to work with the company.

The age of Avvo's domain suggests that they have had sufficient time to establish a reputation as a reliable source of information and services. This can provide reassurance to potential customers seeking quality products or services.

Avvo.com has a valid SSL certificate, which indicates that the website is secure and trustworthy. Look for the padlock icon in the browser and the "https" prefix in the URL to confirm that the website is using SSL.

We looked up Avvo and found that the website is receiving a high amount of traffic. This could be a sign of a popular and trustworthy website, but it is still important to exercise caution and verify the legitimacy of the site before sharing any personal or financial information

However ComplaintsBoard has detected that:

  • While Avvo has a high level of trust, our investigation has revealed that the company's complaint resolution process is inadequate and ineffective. As a result, only 5% of 20 complaints are resolved. The support team may have poor customer service skills, lack of training, or not be well-equipped to handle customer complaints.
  • We conducted a search on social media and found several negative reviews related to Avvo. These reviews may indicate issues with the company's products, services, or customer support. It is important to thoroughly research the company and its offerings before making any purchases to avoid any potential risks.
ComplaintsBoard
L
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Avvo AVVO Reviews: Disappointing Experience with Uninterested and Rude Attorneys

I have been using AVVO to seek legal advice for my legal situation for quite some time now. Although I have found a few good attorneys on this platform, I have to say that my overall experience has not been very positive.

One of the major problems that I have encountered is that most of the attorneys seem to be uninterested in answering my questions, unless they see a potential case in it for themselves. Out of dozens of questions that I have posted, only a handful of attorneys have given me specific advice on state laws and how my legal situation stands regarding a court case.

What's more, a lot of the attorneys seem to be very rude and unprofessional while responding to my queries. I have often received snide, sarcastic, and condescending responses from them. It makes me wonder if they even bother to read the question and understand the gravity of the situation, or they are just there to pass their time.

Another problem that I have noticed is that many of the attorneys who respond to my queries have opinions that do not resonate with my situation at all. Some of these lawyers make comments that are completely irrelevant to my legal concern, while others give me advice that is simply too general and cannot be applied to my case.

Lastly, I find it very frustrating that even if I answer the follow-up questions from the attorneys, they rarely respond back. It seems like they are not interested in taking my case or even listening to my situation.

I believe that AVVO needs to set stricter rules for the attorneys who answer questions on their platform. They should only allow lawyers to respond to questions from people who they genuinely believe they can help with their legal expertise. Furthermore, they should give us more control to delete responses from lawyers who are unprofessional or rude in their responses. It's our legal situation, and we should have the freedom to pick the advice we think is useful.

In conclusion, while AVVO has some good attorneys who can provide useful legal advice, there are still a lot of lawyers who seem to be wasting our time by giving irrelevant and rude responses. They need to set stricter rules and give us more control over responses to make their platform more useful and user-friendly.

Read full review of Avvo
Hide full review
ComplaintsBoard
E
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Avvo Unsatisfactory Experience with Attorney Randall Bryson: A Review

I tried leaving a review about Randall Bryson on AVVO, but they refused to post it. I'll let you decide if they were right or wrong. I hired Bryson to help with my mother's estate after my brother Richard refused to settle it. Richard is a bit messed up - he's been dealing with drug addiction, eye injuries, sleep disorders, and even attempted suicide. He's got an attorney named John C. Urness who I think is just using Richard's disabilities to line his own pockets.

Anyway, I explained all of this to Bryson and he acted like he could help me out. He said he was friends with Urness and assured me he could get things sorted out. But after talking to Urness, Bryson turned on me and tried to blackmail me into removing negative comments I had posted about Urness online.

I was pretty upset about the whole thing, and I wanted to leave a review warning others about Bryson's behavior. But AVVO said no, it didn't meet their guidelines. They said I needed to make it clear that I was a client of Bryson's, plainly state what I liked or didn't like about his services, and avoid personal attacks or accusations.

To be honest, I'm not really sure what more I can say. I hired Bryson to help me with my mother's estate and he didn't deliver. Instead, he tried to strong-arm me into taking down negative comments about someone else. I wouldn't recommend him to anyone, and I hope others will steer clear of him as well.

Read full review of Avvo
Hide full review
ComplaintsBoard
K
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Avvo My Frustrating Experience with Avvo and Their Review Process

I gotta say, I was pretty excited to come across Avvo in my search for a lawyer. I mean, who wouldn't be? The thought of a website where I can read real life reviews of lawyers outside of my usual resources sounded almost too good to be true. But alas, my experience with Avvo had me feeling a little let down.

See, I had hired a lawyer based on their glowing reviews on Avvo and ended up being pretty dissatisfied with their services. I didn't want to just keep it to myself, so I figured I'd share my experience on Avvo for others to see. Only problem? My review got rejected. Like, multiple times. Avvo kept telling me that it didn't comply with their "fairness policy" and I just couldn't figure out what they meant. I mean, I was careful not to give my personal opinion on the lawyer's performance, I just stuck to the facts. But apparently, even the facts weren't enough.

After a bunch of frustrating attempts to get my review approved, I finally decided to reach out to Avvo support and see what I was doing wrong. Lo and behold, after a week or so, I got a response saying that they had messed up and actually rejected my review in error. They apologized and said they'd post it, which they eventually did. And all was well... or so I thought.

Fast forward a few months and I decide to give Avvo another try. This time, I thought I'd look up some reviews for another lawyer I was considering. And wouldn't you know it, the guy has like 50 positive reviews, all of them at least 4 stars. Except for one... mine, of course. And wouldn't you know it, my review was nowhere to be found. It's like it never even existed.

So yeah, I can't help but feel like Avvo might be a little too focused on keeping their "paid advertisement" lawyers looking good. I mean, if they're willing to reject reviews that aren't even giving personal opinions, how can we trust that the other reviews are accurate? I don't know, maybe I'm just being cynical. But either way, I wouldn't rely too heavily on Avvo if you're really looking for the truth.

Read full review of Avvo
Hide full review
ComplaintsBoard
M
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Avvo Avvo: Bottom of the Barrel Attorneys?" - A Review of Avvo's Legal Service

Avvo seems like a decent idea on the surface. But when you really think about it - if an attorney has time to be scrolling through the internet looking for clients, how good can they really be? Let me tell you about a situation I had on a Friday night. I needed help with my consumer rights and credit reporting agencies control under the FCRA. I got a response back from an attorney right away, but he was rude and didn't seem to understand basic finance. When I looked him up, I found out he specializes in defending DUI's! Needless to say, I gave him a bad review because he was condescending and it seemed like he just wanted to see himself post.

Luckily, I found a retired attorney who specialized in FCRA. He gave me the email and phone number for the key executive of the CRA, and within 10 minutes my problem was resolved. No muss, no fuss, no abusive language. When I tried to delete my question from Avvo, I found out that they don't allow it. Then, another attorney, who deals with bankruptcies in a completely different part of the country, joined in on the belittling of my question.

It just seems like the attorneys on Avvo are the bottom of the barrel and only take on light cases. I can't help but wonder if the number of questions they answer and the fact that only positive reviews are allowed works with the ranking algorithm. Why are attorneys who don't even specialize in the field where the question lies able to answer and rank higher?

It's like asking a psychiatrist to conduct open heart surgery. They're both doctors, but they can't do the same thing. Overall, I don't think I would use Avvo again, and I definitely wouldn't recommend it to anyone.

Read full review of Avvo
Hide full review
ComplaintsBoard
J
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Avvo Beware of Avvo's Unfair and Biased System for Lawyer Reviews

Avvo website really sucks! Their system ain't objective at all! I had a hell of a time trying to get Avvo to publish my negative review about my past lawyer. They just kept rejecting my review time after time. After mucho back and forth between me, Avvo, and some wannabe investigator, they finally decided to post a jacked up version of my review, after much delay, claiming to me that their team messed up. Then, hold the phone, as soon as my review went live, it was like they rang up my past lawyer to say, "Hey dude, this guy's talking about you!" That lawyer then went on a tear and posted a super false and highly slanderous response about me. And, wait for it, Avvo went and let that response hit the web but told me I couldn't retaliate or say anything in response. What a bunch of baloney! I had to suck it up and stew in my own juices. These so-called professionals are rigged in favor of their own kind and I don't know why someone in authority ain't stepped up to probe into their dealings. Avvo takes dough from lawyers and dimes reviewers. They let the lawyers write loads of bunk, but don't give reviewers the same break. That doesn't even make sense! Whoever made Avvo wasn't thinking too hard because they're really screwing over people who want to make important decisions. I went to that site back in the day to pick out a lawyer and ended up with a major crap shoot because the guy I chose was one of the dregs, despite his 9.4 rating they gave him, along with a handful of positive reviews and zilch negative ones. Avvo is a lousy waste-of-time, just avoid it.

Read full review of Avvo
Hide full review
ComplaintsBoard
G
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Avvo Avvo's Legal Ratings are Worthless: An Insider's Review of Shady Business Practices

I'm a lawyer who's been out of the game for a few years - taking care of family and doing some consulting work. Recently, I stumbled upon Avvo while checking out my name online and boy oh boy was I surprised by what I saw!

Apparently, they had given me a middling review of my legal career, but I'm left wondering - based on what? They never contacted me for any information, they didn't ask me about the consulting work I did for the past 7 years and there are NO client reviews or grievances filed against me. So, what gives? It seems like their ratings are completely worthless.

But wait, it gets even worse! According to Avvo, the only way to improve your rating is to join their "Premium Services" and pay a monthly fee! That's straight up extortion if you ask me. And that's not even the end of it.

Rumors are swirling that some lawyers are giving each other great reviews in exchange for the same. I mean, come on - even the best lawyer I know doesn't have PERFECT reviews from all of their clients and colleagues. This kind of situation can potentially misdirect and harm clients in need of solid legal counsel.

And if you're not interested in paying them off, then your only option is to request that they don't show your rating. But guess what? They publicly present your request to hide their ratings of you - with the clear implication that you must be hiding something negative. In my book, that's nothing short of a shake down and it's completely unacceptable.

I hope others in the legal community will see this review and steer clear of Avvo. It's just another example of shady business practices that seem to be becoming all too common. Stay safe out there, folks!

Read full review of Avvo
Hide full review
ComplaintsBoard
E
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Avvo Avvo Review: Attorney Threatened Me After Negative Feedback on Personal Injury Case

Avvo helped me express my dissatisfaction with an attorney in two short sentences. This particular lawyer did not provide good communication and it was evident that they did not care about my personal injury case. Instead, they wasted time and resources threatening me with the legal system because of my review.

It's important to understand that not all attorneys are created equal, and some simply do not possess the required skills to adequately help clients. It's tough to swallow when you've been let down, but criticism provides useful feedback that can help us grow.

Unfortunately, rather than listen to my criticism, this attorney attempted to intimidate me by sending a "goon" to my home and even went so far as to slip an email under my kitchen door while I was out of the country. It's demeaning to think that someone would forge my signature and imply that I was okay with them raking in more money from my case than I was receiving myself.

As someone who faces ongoing medical expenses due to an auto accident caused by a drunk driver, I was not happy with either of the attorneys who worked with me on my case. Connecticut is a state that is known for its shady dealings and corruption. The lies, corruption, and threats are all a part of the game that is played in this state, simply because citizens are not kissing up to these so-called "professionals."

Even though my first review was denied, Avvo should have left it alone. They did eventually email me back to tell me that the attorney was just bluffing and that they had a pro bono attorney on staff who could help me out. However, I never heard back from them again.

All in all, I appreciate Avvo for allowing me to express my opinions, even if they were negative. Every attorney can learn from criticism, and hopefully, the ones who are willing to listen are the ones that will succeed.

Read full review of Avvo
Hide full review
ComplaintsBoard
B
4:46 pm EDT
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Avvo Avvo is bias and cherry picks reviews

i hired an attorney to negotiate an EEOC determination in my favor against a very large company. this attorney Andrew Dansicker had good reviews on Avvo but after hiring him, he threw me under the bus for a quick buck. i obtained all the attorney communications with the company, and found not only did this attorney lie to me, he never addressed the validity of the EEOC determination that the company retaliated against me and as well wrongfully discharged me due to denying me a reasonable medical accommodation. the company even breached the agreement i was tricked into accepting due to the attorney stating in writing i had nothing to worry about when i questioned several things. the attorney took the side of the company numerous times, and to date i am out thousands of dollars per the agreement that was breached and this attorney will not do anything. i have all the emails and documents proving what i have just stated, and as well have referred this attorney Andrew Dansicker to the Bar for violating ethics and possible legal malpractice.

when writing a review on Avvo with facts, they denied my first one stating i did not hire this attorney, even though the correct box was checked. i wrote a second review and it was denied stating i violated their community guidelines, with nothing specific, and after checking there is nothing i violated. i wrote a third review and it was denied stating i didn't give facts. AVVO is bias, dangerous because it's obvious reviews are cherry picked.

Desired outcome: i would like my reviews posted i would also like Avvo to admit they are sorry for cherry picking and denying my review /s

Read full review of Avvo
Hide full review
ComplaintsBoard
C
10:31 pm EDT

Avvo Review of lawyers

I tried to post a review of the lawyer that is the opposing counsel for a law suit. I find it censorship that is corporation ONLY Excepts reviews if the attorney is a client. This attorney has knowingly summited paper work to a judge with lies and half truths but I am being barred by this "review" of the attorney because I am not the client. IT appears that the Attorney has a 5 star rating but she is shielded from people telling the TRUTH because the people she represents are the recreants of her behavior and it looks like she is a great person, Absolute power corrupts absolutely, Freedom of Speech is one of this nations greatest liberties . Once you censor a review it not a review.

Desired outcome: Print ALL REVIEWS OF LAWYERS

Read full review of Avvo
Hide full review
ComplaintsBoard
C
3:47 am EST

Avvo junk

What they do is unfair at least.
I worked with a lawyer who was a piece of crap, didn't do his job properly, but was very professional in taking my money as fast as possible.
I wrote a negative review about him on Avvo. Do you know what they did?
They sent it to him to get his confirmation that he has nothing against my review. Of course, he said that he's against it and doesn't want it to be posted. So they didn't.
Is it normal? Do they post only good reviews or what?
So if you see negative reviews, it means that this lawyer who verified them is an honest person and isn't afraid to ruin his/her reputation.

Read full review of Avvo
Hide full review
ComplaintsBoard
R
3:33 am EDT

Avvo Worst ever

You know, sometimes it's better to talk to a wall than trying to explain to these guys what you want. Not emphatiс at all, they don't even try to consider your problem, don't try to understand it in details. I think they don't deserve to be called lawyers or whatever else they are.
I have never met "professionals" like them and I regret I paid for dealing with this company.
Don't use them if you really want to resolve your issue as soon as possible. Having their reputation I would just close my business.

Read full review of Avvo
Hide full review
ComplaintsBoard
K
4:01 am EDT

Avvo Useless to me. And expensive

I think their service is kinda useless.
yesterday night I published my question. After several minutes I got answers from a couple of attorney stating that they are busy right now, I have to wait till the morning.
Hmmmm ok, no problem. Strange, that they actually wrote it. In the morning I got one more email stating that I received two complete answers, but before reading them I will have to pay 70 dollars.
I was like what? Isn't it too much?
Sorry, but looks like it's a ripoff.

Read full review of Avvo
Hide full review
ComplaintsBoard
Z
2:34 am EDT

Avvo Good for nothing.

About a year ago I graduated from University and recently I opened a small company. I was a new lawyer and needed some clients, so I went online and found www.avvo.com. They said that their website is very popular and that they can help me with my problem. So I subscribed for three months and waited. Three months passed and I got zero clients! I wasted my money and got nothing. I asked for a refund, because they did not provide the service they promised, but they refused to give me my money back. This site is useless.

Read full review of Avvo
Hide full review
ComplaintsBoard
C
12:46 pm EDT
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Avvo Attorney Aaron James Irving

Why you should never hire Attorney Aaron Irving!
He does not even research statues or case law before advising clients and gives erroneous advice to people.
http://www.avvo.com/legal-answers/can-mugshot-sites-legally-post-charges-that-i-was--1319563.html
http://rightofpublicity.com/statutes/florida

Integrity Law, P.A.
2008 Riverside Ave., Ste. 200
Jacksonville, FL 32204
Office: [protected]

Photograph is in the Public Domain
Google image search
Bing/MSN image search
Yahoo image search

Read full review of Avvo
View 0 more photos
Hide full review
ComplaintsBoard
T
4:12 pm EST
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Avvo Terry-Adam-Houston

Terry Adam, 14525 Fm 529 Road, # 101, 77095, violated attorney client privilege when he openly discussed confidential information with a cop. Attorneys of all people should know everything between an attorney/client stays between the client and attorney. As a client paid Terry Adam, 14525 Fm 529 Road, # 101, 77095, money to do simple work that never got done, then Terry Adam should have simply refunded the money. Terry Adam never refunded the money and when investigated provided falsified information to cover his tracks. To add insult to injury Texas attorney Terry Adam did not refund the money he took from his client. A big price to pay for a $120.

Read full review of Avvo
Hide full review
ComplaintsBoard
T
4:03 pm EST
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Avvo Terry-Adam-Attoreny-Texas

Houston, Texas attorney Terry Adam is a fraud. He was retained to perform work, failed to do so and when questioned by authorities about his conduct, he not only violated attorney client privilege, but also provided forged papers. Further, Terry Adam, 14525 Fm 529 Road, # 101, 77095, violated attorney client privilege when he openly discussed confidential information with a cop. Attorneys of all people should know everything between an attorney/client stays between the client and attorney. To add insult to injury Texas attorney Terry Adam did not refund the money he took from his client.

Read full review of Avvo
Hide full review
ComplaintsBoard
D
10:23 am EST
Resolved
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.

Avvo AVVO

ARK BRITTON Avvo at, is a joke as a "lawyer." Avvo says this about him "Mark is a 16 year lawyer with deep experience in the legal industry." Total crock of horse manure. He has represented ZERO cases in court. He figured out a way to get rich by ruining other lawyers and doctors. His company got $ 20 million in funding! On the other hand, he sits there on a throne -- see www.avvowatch.com, with his D.. in his hands, watching his website humiliating doctors, interfere with their normal business relations and has designed a machine that slaughters doctors' and lawyers' reputations online, all day, every day. Congress should act on this. Totally not a first amendment right.

Read full review of Avvo and 8 comments
Resolved

The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.

Hide full review
8 comments
Add a comment
G
G
Gary L. Wolfstone
US
Oct 10, 2020 9:35 pm EDT
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Gary Wolfstone
Seattle Trial Lawyer
President of Avvo Watch

View 0 more photos
G
G
Gary L. Wolfstone
US
Oct 10, 2020 9:33 pm EDT
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

In a recent article, Clio's web site states unabashedly:

"Our last guest for Legal Industry Transformation Week is someone who has literally shaped the legal industry: Mark Britton, Founder and former CEO of Avvo. A unique mix of startup founder, public company executive, lawyer, and SEC regulator, Mark possesses valuable insights into the legal profession’s challenges in the present—and its opportunities for the future."

That extravagant statement is true. Mark Britton -- a man whose career as a law student and as a practicing lawyer is undistinguished -- has propelled himself into the rarified atmosphere of the upper stratosphere of the legal profession.

Mark Britton has given lawyers what they want most: Instant Gratification. Lawyers who love to hear the sound of their own names gravitate to the Avvo business model.

Mark Britton has perfected the art of smearing a man's name (placing an indelible stain on disciplined lawyers for life even for minor transgressions); has given lawyers a paradigm for credential kiting; and has created a lawyers' ranking system based on a stream of laudatory e-mails (sent effortlessly from the member-lawyers' fan club to the Avvo server).

Physicians, by contrast, enter a residency program (three to five years of hard work and financial sacrifice) in order to build or enhance their skills and reputation. The residency is long hours and hard work with legitimate peer review sessions from experienced senior doctors whose reviews are both brutal and thorough. At the end of the residency, the physician under goes testing and final evaluation. These residency programs are demanding and ultimately rewarding. Lawyers build and enhance their reputations with an Avvo score based on superficial emails from 'satisfied customers' and fellow practitioners. In making this bargain with Avvo, the legal profession has demonstrated its willingness to dumb down its standards of scholarship and water down its ethical standards.

If you are a lawyer who received a reprimand, they are coming for you.

If you don't want or don't appreciate your Avvo page, Mark Britton and his team Avvo will wrap it around your neck. If you don't want or don't appreciate your Avvo page, Mark Britton and his team Avvo will shove it down your throat.

They are coming for you. If you apply for a new job, your prospective employer will Google your name and find your Avvo page instantaneously. If you change doctors, your new doctor's office will Google your name and find your Avvo page instantaneously. If you apply to a new land lord for a new rental unit, they will Google your name and find your Avvo page instantaneously. They are coming for you.

Mark Britton is the legal profession, and you will carry the stench of his dishonesty in your nostrils for the rest of your life. Welcome to Avvo!

G
G
Gary L. Wolfstone
US
May 07, 2020 5:37 am EDT
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Avvo.com damages the reputations of lawyers who have discipline by making a spectacle of their discipline. Avvo rips off the scab and keeps the wound open. Redemption is not possible if there is no healing, and Avvo makes no allowance for healing. Avvo makes no effort to contact the disciplined lawyer to ask for his or her explanation of the disciplinary sanction and makes no effort to evaluate whether the disciplined lawyer is a threat to the public. Avvo makes no allowance for the passage of time. Avvo has determined that all disciplinees should be tarred with the same brush (offering only a superficial definition and distinction of the bar association's sanction) whether the discipline was published yesterday or fifty years ago. The Avvo stain is permanent - thanks to the efficiency of Google search it remains like a huge festering cancerous sore on your face for the totality of your life.

All lawyers' web pages on the Avvo site start with the invitation: "Claim Your Page." Once you have "claimed your page", you have given implied consent to abide by Avvo's agenda, terms and conditions. Whether you like it or not, Avvo has published an Avvo page about you on the Avvo web site. If you don't want to have an Avvo page with your name on it, Avvo callously wraps it around your neck - like it or not! If you "claim your page" and subsequently find an unfavorable review, you can dispute the bad review. Avvo does not remove bad reviews, but they do publish your rebuttal. You cannot, however, challenge or dispute the fact that your Avvo page exists; once you have "claimed your page" you have surrendered to Avvo. After all, Avvo's ability to sell advertising space would be diminished if lawyers started to drop out of the Avvo universe. Avvo and its shareholders are getting rich collecting, counting and displaying the souls of damaged lawyers - like misers counting pieces of silver.

Sincerely,
Gary Wolfstone
President of AvvoWatch.com

View 0 more photos
G
G
Gary L. Wolfstone
US
Apr 08, 2020 10:29 am EDT
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Avvo.com sadly now has more influence over the legal profession than all of the 50 state bar associations combined.
Lawyers who participate in Avvo.com have demonstrated their willingness to dumb down their standards of
scholarship and to water down their ethical standards. Thanks to Mark Britton, Avvo.com's founder and former CEO,
Avvo.com rewards cruelty and degrades nobility. Avvo.com builds lawyers' ratings and reputations based on instant gratification.
One of the last messages sent by the Titanic marconi room (Jack Phillips at the key): "S.O.S. cqd, We are sinking
fast." Today, Gary Wolfstone sends a similar message, "The American legal profession is sinking into a dark sea of mediocrity thanks
to Mark Britton and Avvo.com!"

View 0 more photos
G
G
Gary L. Wolfstone
US
Dec 14, 2019 8:10 am EST
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Avvo.com offers "instant gratification" to lawyers who want to boost or improve their reputation. If a lawyer asks his clients and colleagues to write laudatory emails to Avvo.com about the lawyer's performance, then his Avvo score goes up: click, click, click! Thus, by posturing and gimmickry, the lawyer creates the illusion of competency and greatness. On the other hand, when a doctor wants to improve his reputation for competency, he enters a "residency" which may involve three or four years of long hours of hard work, study, financial sacrifice, and constant "peer review" by a panel of experienced physicians who have no reluctance to offer constructive criticism. An artificially inflated Avvo score is a slur on the legal profession! Thank you Mark Britton, Avvo founder and former CEO -- thanks for nothing!
Sincerely, Gary Wolfstone, President of Avvowatch.com

View 0 more photos
G
G
Gary Wolfstone
US
Sep 24, 2019 8:43 pm EDT

Avvo.com has perfected the art of how to "smear" a man's name.
Avvo.com publishes a page with my name and says "claim your page"
I have never claimed any page with Avvo.com. I have never participated in Avvo.com
Avvo states inaccurately that I am a "medical malpractice lawyer" but I have never
represented a client with a medical malpractice case. Never!
Avvo states inaccurately that I am a personal injury lawyer.
I am a Constitutional law lawyer.
Avvo.com is getting rich trafficking in human pain.
Avvo.com rewards cruelty.
Avvo.com degrades nobility.
Avvo.com is "House of Desolation."
Gary Wolfstone
President of Avvowatch.com

View 0 more photos
G
G
Gary Wolfstone
US
Jan 30, 2016 3:02 am EST
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Thank you for agreeing with our critique of Avvo. When Jesus went in to the Temple and tipped over the tables of the money changers, he shouted, "Your Temple is a House of Desolation!" Accordingly, we are shouting at Avvo, "Your website is a House of Desolation!" Avvo rewards Cruelty and degrades Nobility ~ these are the two prohibitions from Greek Philosophers who define the boundaries of creative writing. For Mark Britton and for Avvo, there are no boundaries. Thus, we expose Mark Britton and Avvo for transforming the American legal profession into a three ring circus. Mark Britton is getting rich with his lawyer-bashing enterprise. Mr. Britton says he is shining his flashlight into dark places; however, Mr. Britton needs to shine his flashlight into his own face and stand in front of a mirror. Thus, my biography of Mark Britton ends with the admonition ~ "This is your Hour, Mark Britton, the Hour of Shadows."
Gary Wolfstone, President of Avvo Watch

View 0 more photos
H
H
Hadanuff Avo
Birmingham, US
Nov 15, 2013 7:05 am EST

Mark Britton saves his reputation by making all the [redacted]s about him disappear (google "Mark Britton [redacted]s." So Gary Wolfstone and avvowatch.com are absolutely on point when they say that his a hypocrite. Saving his reputation by somehow figuring out how to hide negative reports about him on Google, but daily humiliating lawyers and doctors by "rating" them and allowing anonymous postings on his multi-million dollar reputation-slaughtering machine, Avvo.com.

About Avvo

Avvo is an online legal platform that aims to simplify the process of finding and connecting with top-rated attorneys. With over 10 million profiles of U.S. lawyers, Avvo has become the go-to destination for individuals seeking legal representation across various practice areas.

Founded in 2006, Avvo has earned a reputation for its user-friendly interface, allowing clients to easily search for attorneys and read reviews left by previous clients. The site also offers a Q&A forum where users can have their legal questions answered by attorneys at no cost.

Avvo's unique rating system, which relies on a proprietary algorithm to calculate an attorney's score, has garnered attention and praise from both clients and legal professionals alike. The rating system takes into account factors such as experience, industry recognition, and client reviews to provide an accurate assessment of an attorney's expertise and reputation.

In addition to connecting clients with legal professionals, Avvo provides resources and information to help educate individuals on various legal issues. From articles and guides to podcasts and webinars, Avvo aims to empower its users and provide them with the tools needed to make informed legal decisions.

Overall, Avvo has proven to be a valuable resource for individuals seeking legal representation and education. With its comprehensive database of lawyers and user-friendly interface, the platform has become a trusted source for individuals navigating the legal landscape.
How to file a complaint about Avvo?

Here is a comprehensive guide on how to file a complaint against Avvo on ComplaintsBoard.com:

1. Log in or Create an Account:
- Start by logging into your ComplaintsBoard.com account. If you don't have an account yet, create one to proceed.

2. Navigating to the Complaint Form:
- Locate and click on the 'File a Complaint' button on the ComplaintsBoard.com website. You can find this button at the top right corner of the website.

3. Writing the Title:
- Summarize the main issue you have with Avvo in the 'Complaint Title' section.

4. Detailing the Experience:
- Provide detailed information about your experience with Avvo. Include key areas such as transactions, nature of the issue, steps taken to resolve it, personal impact, and the company's response.

5. Attaching Supporting Documents:
- Attach any relevant supporting documents to strengthen your complaint. Avoid including sensitive personal data.

6. Filling Optional Fields:
- Use the 'Claimed Loss' field to state any financial losses and the 'Desired Outcome' field to specify the resolution you are seeking.

7. Review Before Submission:
- Review your complaint for clarity, accuracy, and completeness before submitting it.

8. Submission Process:
- Click the 'Submit' button to submit your complaint.

9. Post-Submission Actions:
- Regularly check for responses or updates related to your complaint on ComplaintsBoard.com.

Ensure each step is clearly defined to guide you effectively through the process of filing a complaint against Avvo on ComplaintsBoard.com. Remember to provide all necessary details to support your complaint effectively.

Overview of Avvo complaint handling

Avvo reviews first appeared on Complaints Board on Dec 21, 2012. The latest review AVVO - A Cautionary Tale was posted on Mar 22, 2024. The latest complaint AVVO was resolved on Dec 21, 2012. Avvo has an average consumer rating of 1 stars from 196 reviews. Avvo has resolved 1 complaints.
Ratings on other review websites
Trustpilot
Trustpilot
1.3
374 reviews
Trust badge
Collect Your Trust Badge
Be recognized for outstanding customer service
  1. Avvo Contacts

  2. Avvo phone numbers
    +1 (206) 734-4111
    +1 (206) 734-4111
    Click up if you have successfully reached Avvo by calling +1 (206) 734-4111 phone number 0 0 users reported that they have successfully reached Avvo by calling +1 (206) 734-4111 phone number Click down if you have unsuccessfully reached Avvo by calling +1 (206) 734-4111 phone number 0 0 users reported that they have UNsuccessfully reached Avvo by calling +1 (206) 734-4111 phone number
  3. Avvo emails
  4. Avvo address
    705 5th Ave South Suite 600, Seattle, Washington, 98104, United States
  5. Avvo social media
  6. Maria
    Checked and verified by Maria This contact information is personally checked and verified by the ComplaintsBoard representative. Learn more
    Jun 13, 2024

Our Commitment

We stand for unbiased reviews

We make sure all complaints and reviews are from real people sharing genuine experiences.

We help resolving issues

We offer easy tools for businesses and reviewers to solve issues together. Learn how it works.

We advocate freedom of speech

We support and promote the right for reviewers to express their opinions and ideas freely without censorship or restrictions, as long as it's respectful and within our Terms and Conditions, of course ;)

We ensure transparent and fair ratings

Our rating system is open and honest, ensuring unbiased evaluations for all businesses on the platform. Learn more.

We care about your privacy

Personal details of reviewers are strictly confidential and hidden from everyone.

We are easy, free and open to everyone

Our website is designed to be user-friendly, accessible, and absolutely free for everyone to use.