Avvo Legal Services Closes Its Doors

Last week, Avvo, the fixed-fee, limited scope legal services provider announced that it will be closing its operation. The news comes after countless lawsuits filed against the company and eight different state bar associations issued ethics opinions in the last two years — New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, New Jersey, Utah, Virginia, and Indiana.

In January, Avvo was acquired by Internet Brands, the parent company of WebMD and lawyers.com. Surprisingly, just a few months following the acquisition, news broke of the closure in a letter to the North Carolina State Bar’s Authorized Practice committee.

General Counsel of Internet Brands, B. Lynn Walsh, wrote that although they agreed with the position of Avvo’s previous general counsel that Avvo’s legal service offerings do not constitute the unauthorized practice of law, Internet Brands has ultimately decided to suspend the program.

Internet Brands will officially discontinue Avvo’s legal services at the end of the month.

Despite the prior law suits and ethics opinions, not all states are completely against fee-sharing with organizations like Avvo. So far, Florida, Oregon, and North Carolina have considered modifying their Rules of Professional Conduct to allow fee-sharing with for-profit organizations and matching services in special circumstances.

Additionally, Illinois may loosen its regulations to allow for-profit lawyer matching services.

Last month, the Illinois ARDC completed a comprehensive study and report on the possibility of for-profit lawyer matching services, like Avvo, in hopes of tackling the access to justice gap.

Attorneys living and practicing in Illinois take note. The Illinois ARDC currently seeks comments on the framework and the Rule amendments and additions. Those interested may email comments to [email protected]. The comment period is open now up until August 31, 2018.

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I currently serve as the Communications Specialist of the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism, essentially the brains behind all of 2Civility’s communication platforms.  

I spend my days developing strategies that work to increase our social presence across all digital media channels, bringing a fresh take on our brand’s methods of engagement and strengthening the Commission’s level of influence amongst the legal profession online. However, my focus isn’t solely digital. I also works to enhance the Commission’s reputation through more traditional methods as the primary media relations contact, developing and maintaining relationships with local and national media as well as other legal professionals and influencers across the globe. 

Recent legal news pieces I’ve published include: 

• ISBA Summary Judgment Further Defines “Practice of Law”
• 4 Ways Illinois Lawyers Can Help Separated Families at the Border
• Succession Planning Rule 781 Goes to Illinois Supreme Court
• Illinois Supreme Court Adopts Uniform Bar Exam
• PILI Joins IL-AFLAN to Provide Pro Bono Service to Veterans

For more information about 2Civility blogs and news, visit our Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism website and subscribe to our company LinkedIn page.