If you are searching for an attorney, there are some things you should know. Specifically, you should consider the type of services the attorney provides, the experience of the attorney, and the location of the office. Ultimately, you should choose an attorney who will best meet your needs. Fortunately, the Internet is a great place to start your search.
Justia
The Justia Attorney Directory is a website where legal aid organizations, legal service providers, and other legal entities can be found. It’s a simple and easy-to-use tool that lets users find and contact attorneys, and ask questions about law firms.
In addition to providing legal resources, Justia also has a lawyer rating system, which uses peer reviews to calculate a score. This rating is then displayed as a badge on the attorney’s profile page.
Not only does Justia offer a rating system, it has a community section where users can ask questions about law firms. These reviews are not factored into a lawyer’s overall rating, but a high ranking may make your firm stand out from competitors.
In addition to the rating system, Justia also provides a lawyer directory, a lawyer profile, and other legal resources. Some of these features are free, while others require a subscription.
LegalZoom
LegalZoom is an online legal directory that connects consumers with independent attorneys. It helps consumers with a variety of legal matters, including estate planning, business formation, and basic contracts.
To join the LegalZoom attorney directory, lawyers must have at least five years of experience in the practice of law, be active members of a state bar association, and be free from disciplinary action with a state regulatory agency. Attorneys can get free listings, or they can pay to be featured on the LegalZoom attorney directory.
A lawyer who is interested in joining the LegalZoom directory must have a current legal malpractice insurance policy. If a client chooses to hire a lawyer through the LegalZoom attorney directory, the customer must also have an error and omission policy.
Thumbtack
Thumbtack is a website where consumers can request information about a variety of local professionals. The website also allows businesses to post job openings and receive qualified leads. It is free to create a business profile and there are no fees for lead generation.
There is a lot to love about Thumbtack. One of the greatest benefits is the ability to see what other users are saying about a given Service Professional. In addition, the Thumbtack app allows you to connect with Service Professionals and contact them directly.
Thumbtack also offers a feature called Instant Match that makes it easy to create a profile and get leads in your inbox. When a Consumer requests services, the system will automatically create a lead for you.
Courtroom Insight
Courtroom Insight is a legal knowledge management tool for law firms that provides comprehensive reviews of expert witnesses and other professionals. Originally designed as a Yelp-type directory, it has slowly evolved into a broader legal product.
Its custom software platform provides the foundation for knowledge management professionals. The solution includes a large contact database, extensive search capabilities, and a powerful review system based on comprehensive evaluation criteria.
It provides access to vLex’s global legal research database. It features over 120 million searchable documents, and includes information on judges, arbitrators, and other experts.
For expert witnesses, Courtroom Insight provides a variety of profiles including professional biographies, performance evaluations, and authenticated attorney reviews. The site also offers background information on individuals hired by opposing counsel.
Unbundled Attorney
Unbundled attorney services have gained in popularity in recent years. This trend is due to an expanding number of lawyers who are underemployed or otherwise unable to earn enough income to make a full-time practice.
The ABA has endorsed the unbundled attorney services model in its resolution 108, which encourages attorneys to limit their scope of representation to ensure access to justice for all. However, some legal services are not suitable for the unbundled model. For example, uncontested will clients may want guidance on court procedures and distribution of assets.
Some of the key benefits of unbundled attorney services include reduced bar complaints, lower malpractice risks, and a smaller amount of ambiguity surrounding the scope of the limited representation. To maximize these benefits, a lawyer should draft an engagement agreement that clearly states the limits of the agreement and memorializes it in writing.