Attorney Sues Avvo's Lawyer Rating Service

On May 14, I posted an item about Avvo, a new
online legal service geared toward consumers.

Avvo's lawyer rating service has now come under fire.
According to a press release from the law firm Hagens
Berman Sobol Shapiro, Steve W. Berman (a managing
partner in the firm) has filed a class action lawsuit in U.S.
District Court in Seattle "alleging that the site violates
unfair methods of competition and deceptive acts in the
conduct of commerce as stated in the Washington
Consumer Protection Act."

From the press release:

"The complaint notes that U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth
Bader Ginsburg and Samuel Alito each received three out of
five stars for trustworthiness when the site launched, awarding
them a 6.5 or "Good" rating, while giving Lynne Stewart the
exact same rating. Stewart is currently serving a prison term
for conspiracy to defraud the government, the suit contends."

Robert Ambrogi's LawSites (6/15/2007) links to a copy of the
complaint and quotes a colorful statement in response to the
complaint from Avvo's CEO Mark Britton.

This week's Lawyer2Lawyer podcast will address the lawsuit.
Details to follow!