NEW YORK — New York state Attorney General Barbara Underwood has reached an agreement with an online legal directory to reform its attorney rating system and improve its disclosures to consumers.
Underwood announced the settlement with Avvo online legal directory whom the attorney general alleges allowed attorneys to share their resumes and add additional information about their work experience. Underwood said this caused some attorneys to have higher ratings than those who did not post additional information to the company's website. According to Underwood's office, this raised concerns regarding the neutrality and comprehensiveness of Avvo's ratings.
“When seeking legal advice, consumers most often turn to the Internet – and directories like this have an obligation to ensure consumers know what they’re getting,” Underwood said in a statement. “My office will continue to protect New York consumers and ensure they get the transparency and accurate information they deserve.”
As part of the settlement, Avvo has changed its rating description to clearly state that its ratings rely on information that attorneys have added to their profiles. Avvo also changed its process for posting legal forms to its website to ensure the forms have been reviewed by a lawyer with relevant experience and is allowed to practice in the state of New York.
In addition, the company will pay $50,000 to the state for the cost of the attorney general's investigation, according to Underwood's office.