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by Tom Gordon Consumers of legal services seeking a quick way to find lawyers while guarding against the prospect of runaway hourly billing will now have to look a little harder. Avvo has stopped offering its popular Avvo Legal Services. The service is no longer offered on its website, and the general counsel for Internet Brands, which recently acquired Avvo, has indicated that the service will be discontinued by the end of this month.  The decision shouldn’t come as a complete surprise to those who have followed Avvo’s recent battles with state bars attempting to prohibit their members from participating in services of this type. Responsive Law has warned these state bars that the anticompetitive nature of these bans could subject them to antitrust liability. In response to these concerns, the North Carolina State Bar had been considering a more nuanced set of regulations of attorney-client matching systems (ACMS) such as Avvo’s, rather than an outright ban. However, in the wake of the discontinuation of Avvo’s ACMS, that bar’s ethics committee decided to table its proposal.
The tide may be turning on ACMS regulation. Illinois recently joined North Carolina in seeking more nuanced regulation of ACMSs. That state’s Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission recently issued a study calling for solutions beyond an outright ban on lawyer participation in these services, as a way of addressing the access to justice gap. Unfortunately, these developments have come too late for Avvo Legal Services. From a business perspective, it is understandable that Internet Brands didn’t want to continue this service given the regulatory obstacles it faced. However, consumers are now faced with a huge gap in the marketplace for easily accessible, fixed-price legal services. State bars will have to take a more accepting view of ACMSs, or they will not only face antitrust liability, but will also have abdicated their duty to protect access to justice. Tom Gordon is Executive Director of Responsive Law Read more blog posts about online legal services here.
29 Comments
7/7/2018 04:30:02 pm
When people realize that they need not measure an issue by an attorney's cost per hour to determine what their rights are, that attorneys can help on many issues from the trivial to the traumatic, a subscription model may make more sense. 4/7/2022 05:28:37 pm
Avvo has stopped offering its popular Avvo Legal Services. The service is no longer offered, Thank you for making this such an awesome post! 4/7/2022 05:52:34 pm
Thanks for your report on AVVO closing. I found nothing about this in a Google search and their website found me a trial defense attorney in my zip code just now. Where did you get your information? 4/7/2022 05:58:22 pm
Lawyer participation in these services, as a way of addressing the access to justice gap. Thank you for making this such an awesome post! 8/13/2022 03:29:47 pm
That state’s Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission recently issued a study calling for solutions beyond an outright ban on lawyer participation in these services, Thank you, amazing post! 8/13/2022 04:20:48 pm
However, consumers are now faced with a huge gap in the marketplace for easily accessible, fixed-price legal services. Thank you for the beautiful post! 2/22/2023 04:04:19 am
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This article sheds light on a significant development in the legal field. It's unfortunate that Avvo's services, which provided accessible, fixed-price legal aid, had to be discontinued due to regulatory constraints. It underscores the need for regulatory bodies to adapt in favor of consumer accessibility and affordability in legal services.
That state’s Attorney registration and disciplinary commission recently issued a study calling for solutions beyond an outright ban on lawyer participation in these services, as a way of addressing the access to justice gap. Thank you for making this such an awesome post!
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10/29/2023 10:22:11 am
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The article by Tom Gordon brilliantly elucidates the complex dynamics between legal service providers like Avvo and state bars, striking a chord with its insightful analysis of the recent termination of Avvo Legal Services. It masterfully highlights the critical balance between consumer protection and the need for innovative, accessible legal services, making a compelling case for the importance of nuanced regulation over outright prohibition. The thorough exploration of the antitrust implications and the ongoing struggle for equitable access to justice deepened my understanding of the multifaceted challenges in the legal landscape. This piece not only educated me but also evoked a sense of urgency and empathy towards consumers facing the daunting world of legal services. Kudos to the author for shedding light on such a pivotal issue with clarity and depth, leaving me significantly more informed and emotionally invested in the future of legal service accessibility. 2/15/2024 08:12:27 pm
Tom Gordon's article offers an insightful examination of the intricate relationship between legal service platforms like Avvo and regulatory bodies such as state bars, capturing the reader's attention with a detailed critique of Avvo Legal Services' recent shutdown. It skillfully discusses the delicate balance required to protect consumers while fostering innovative and accessible legal solutions, advocating for thoughtful regulation rather than outright bans. The article delves deep into the antitrust concerns and the continuous fight for fair access to justice, enhancing my comprehension of the complex issues facing the legal sector. This work not only informed me but also stirred a sense of urgency and compassion for individuals navigating the complex legal services landscape. Hats off to the author for illuminating such a critical topic with such clear and comprehensive detail, significantly enriching my understanding and emotional engagement with the ongoing efforts to improve legal service accessibility. 2/19/2024 11:35:05 pm
The article excellently highlights the challenges faced by Avvo's Legal Services due to regulatory hurdles, shedding light on the broader issue of access to affordable legal assistance. It effectively emphasizes the importance of innovative platforms like Avvo in bridging the gap between legal services and consumers, especially those seeking fixed-price options. The writer's passionate tone and clear explanations make it easy to grasp the significance of these developments, leaving me feeling informed and inspired to advocate for more inclusive regulations that prioritize access to justice for all. Great job conveying the complexities of the topic in a way that's accessible and engaging! 2/21/2024 06:26:11 am
Tom Gordon's piece provides a thorough exploration of the complex dynamics between legal service platforms, like Avvo, and regulatory entities, such as state bars, engaging readers with an in-depth analysis of the reasons behind Avvo Legal Services' cessation. The article adeptly navigates the fine line needed to safeguard consumer interests while promoting innovative and reachable legal assistance, arguing for nuanced regulation over simple prohibitions. It thoroughly investigates the antitrust issues and the persistent struggle for equitable access to legal representation, deepening my insight into the multifaceted challenges the legal industry faces. This article not only enlightened me but also evoked a sense of urgency and empathy for those trying to find their way through the intricate maze of legal services. Kudos to the author for shedding light on such an essential issue with clarity and exhaustive detail, greatly enhancing my knowledge and emotional connection to the efforts aimed at enhancing the availability of legal services. 3/19/2024 10:50:38 pm
The decision to discontinue Avvo Legal Services is disheartening. It's frustrating to see regulatory hurdles obstructing innovative solutions for accessing legal help. Tom Gordon's article sheds light on the challenges faced by consumers seeking affordable legal services amidst the complexities of legal regulations. His insight into the anticompetitive nature of some state bars' actions and the potential ramifications, such as antitrust liability, is eye-opening. Understanding the importance of nuanced regulation for attorney-client matching systems (ACMS) is crucial for bridging the access to justice gap. Gordon's perspective urges us to rethink how we approach legal services, emphasizing the need for more accepting views from state bars to ensure access to justice for all. This article has helped me grasp the complexities surrounding online legal services and the regulatory landscape, highlighting the urgency for change. 3/31/2024 10:33:23 pm
This article sheds light on the critical issue of access to justice in our legal system, highlighting the challenges faced by innovative platforms like Avvo in providing affordable legal services. It's frustrating to see regulatory barriers hindering progress in bridging the gap between lawyers and clients, especially when such platforms offer fixed-price options that could benefit many consumers. The piece effectively captures the urgency for more flexible regulation, emphasizing the importance of ensuring everyone has access to legal assistance. Reading this, I feel more informed about the complexities surrounding legal services and the need for positive changes in regulation to support innovation and accessibility. Great job on bringing attention to this important topic! 4/7/2024 08:11:52 am
The article adeptly illuminates the obstacles confronting Avvo's Legal Services because of regulatory challenges, bringing attention to the larger issue of accessibility to reasonably priced legal aid. It convincingly underscores the value of pioneering platforms such as Avvo in connecting legal services with clients, particularly those in search of fixed-rate alternatives. Through the writer's enthusiastic tone and lucid elucidations, understanding the importance of these advancements becomes effortless, leaving me both informed and motivated to champion more inclusive regulations that prioritize equal access to justice. Well done on conveying the intricacies of the subject matter in a manner that is both approachable and compelling! 4/10/2024 08:31:17 am
The article adeptly brings attention to the obstacles confronting Avvo's Legal Services as a result of regulatory challenges, offering insight into the larger issue of accessibility to reasonably priced legal aid. It convincingly underscores the significance of pioneering platforms like Avvo in connecting legal services with consumers, particularly those in search of fixed-rate alternatives. Through the writer's fervent tone and lucid explanations, the importance of these advancements becomes readily apparent, instilling a sense of understanding and motivation to push for more inclusive regulations that prioritize universal access to justice. Well done on articulating the intricacies of the subject matter in a manner that is both accessible and compelling! 4/17/2024 02:39:39 am
The article skillfully highlights the hurdles facing Avvo's Legal Services due to regulatory hurdles, shedding light on the broader issue of affordable legal assistance accessibility. It persuasively emphasizes the importance of innovative platforms like Avvo in linking legal services with consumers, especially those seeking fixed-rate options. With the writer's passionate tone and clear explanations, the significance of these advancements becomes evident, inspiring a drive for more inclusive regulations prioritizing universal access to justice. Kudos for articulating the complexities of the topic in a way that is engaging and easy to grasp! 5/10/2024 12:12:48 am
This article sheds light on the challenges faced by Avvo Legal Services and the broader implications for consumers seeking accessible legal assistance. It effectively highlights the regulatory hurdles encountered by Avvo, which ultimately led to the discontinuation of its popular fixed-fee legal services portal. By discussing the responses of state bars and the potential consequences of their actions, the article prompts readers to consider the importance of access to justice and the need for more flexible regulation of attorney-client matching systems. Overall, it provides valuable insights into the complexities of the legal services marketplace and encourages reflection on how regulatory decisions impact consumers' ability to obtain affordable legal assistance. 5/10/2024 02:58:10 am
This article explores the obstacles encountered by Avvo Legal Services and their significance for individuals seeking affordable legal help. It discusses the regulatory challenges that led to the shutdown of Avvo's fixed-fee legal services platform and examines the responses from state bars. By prompting readers to reflect on the implications for access to justice and the need for adaptable regulation, the article offers valuable insights into the legal services landscape. Overall, it sheds light on the complexities of the industry and encourages discussion on how regulatory decisions affect consumers' access to affordable legal assistance. 5/23/2024 12:30:47 am
It's disheartening to see Avvo discontinue its popular Legal Services portal due to battles with state bars over regulatory obstacles. This decision not only affects consumers seeking accessible legal services but also highlights the broader issue of access to justice. The article effectively sheds light on the challenges faced by online legal service providers and the implications for consumers. It underscores the importance of state bars adopting more nuanced regulations to ensure fair competition and uphold access to justice for all. Overall, this article serves as an eye-opener to the complexities of the legal landscape and the need for reform to better serve the public. 5/24/2024 07:53:42 am
This article shines a light on a concerning issue affecting access to justice for many individuals seeking legal assistance. It's disheartening to see Avvo Legal Services discontinuing due to regulatory obstacles, leaving consumers with fewer options for affordable legal help. The author effectively highlights the challenges faced by innovative legal service providers like Avvo and emphasizes the importance of state bars adopting more flexible regulations to address the access to justice gap. Through clear explanations and examples, the article has deepened my understanding of the complexities surrounding fixed-fee legal services and the impact of regulatory barriers on consumers. Overall, it serves as a call to action for a more inclusive and accessible legal system, and I commend the author for shedding light on this important issue. 5/30/2024 08:30:09 pm
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This article about Avvo stopping its fixed-price legal services is eye-opening! It explains how state bars’ rules made it hard for Avvo to keep helping people find affordable lawyers. It’s sad that consumers might lose a helpful way to find legal help without high costs. But it’s good to hear states like Illinois and North Carolina are thinking about new rules to make these services possible again. It makes me realize how complicated it can be to balance legal rules and helping people get justice. Great job explaining all this in a clear way! 8/28/2024 02:10:29 am
I really appreciated this article about Avvo Legal Services and the challenges it faced. It did a great job explaining how regulatory issues led to the end of their fixed-fee legal services and the impact this has on people trying to find affordable legal help. The discussion on how state bars responded and the need for better regulations to help consumers was really eye-opening. This article made me think more about how important it is for legal services to be accessible and how regulations affect that. You did a fantastic job breaking down this complex topic and making it clear. Thanks for such an informative and thought-provoking piece! 8/28/2024 02:21:33 am
This article really opened my eyes to the challenges Avvo Legal Services faced and how these issues impact people who need affordable legal help. It was interesting to learn about the problems with regulations that led to the shutdown of their fixed-fee services and how state bars responded. The way the article makes us think about the bigger picture of access to justice and the need for better regulations is really important. You did a great job explaining these complex issues and helping me understand how they affect people looking for legal assistance. Thanks for providing such valuable insights into this topic! 9/6/2024 01:25:30 am
This article really opened my eyes to the challenges in finding affordable legal help. It’s sad to see Avvo Legal Services go, especially since it made it easier for people to get fixed-price legal services without worrying about high hourly rates. The piece explains clearly how state bars' actions led to this change and the impact it has on people needing legal help. I now understand how complicated the regulation of these services can be and why it's so important for state bars to find better solutions. Thanks for breaking down this issue so well—it’s really helped me grasp what’s going on and why it matters! Leave a Reply. |
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