This report on the My Shingle blog wonders why the DC Bar is so up in arms about Avvo in these times when lawyers will be much more likely to access free service..
My Shingle reports:
Why, In An Economic Downturn, Is the DC Bar Trying to Kill One Tool That Can Help Lawyers Find Clients and Jobs?
The legal profession is on the skids like never before — though you’d scarcely realize it from visiting a bar association website. As law firms shed attorneys at an unprecedented rate — 4376 layoffs since January 1, 2008, 2614 in calendar year 2009, and 700 on a single Black Thursday, one would think that the bar association websites would be on high alert, offering discounted CLEs and networking events and otherwise mobilizing to help unemployed lawyers find work. Instead, it’s business as usual for the ABA and many other bar associations (stay tuned for my Bars, Reviewed release tomorrow!) with no mention of the burgeoning layoffs anywhere on their websites.
Still, to its credit, at least the ABA isn’t making the current financial crisis any worse for lawyers. Would that I could say the same for one of my home bars, DC Bar. Not only is the DC Bar petitioning for a dues increase when its members are tightening their belts, but the Bar is trying to limit at least one resource that could help lawyers find work by launching an assault to shut down Avvo, a lawyer directory site that allows lawyers to post a robust, professional looking profile on-line for free. The profile listings enable clients to find lawyers, but they also encourage lawyers to connect, but giving them opportunities to provide testimonials and endorsements to their colleagues.
So why does the DC Bar want to shut down Avvo? Well, from what I can tell from its explanation, the Bar is ticked off at Avvo for downloading public information on its website regarding member names, business addresses, membership status and disciplinary history. So what? Isn’t that information supposed to be free so that the public can learn about lawyers? And if it’s already public, why can’t companies like Avvo capture it and aggregate it.
Full report is at http://www.myshingle.com/2009/02/articles/trends/why-in-an-economic-downturn-is-the-dc-bar-trying-to-kill-one-tool-that-can-help-lawyers-find-clients-and-jobs/
