Avvo is one of the biggest legal directories online. They have ratings, reviews, and a Q&A section. But is that what you need when a debt collector is breaking the law?
What Avvo Actually Is
Avvo is three things:
- A lawyer directory - search by practice area and location
- A rating system - attorneys rated 1-10 based on experience, reviews, etc.
- A Q&A forum - ask legal questions, get answers from attorneys
It's useful for finding any type of lawyer. But there's a catch.
The Avvo Ratings Problem
Avvo ratings aren't based on case outcomes. They're based on:
- Years of experience
- Professional achievements
- Client reviews (easy to game)
- Profile completeness
A 10-rated attorney might be great. Or they might just have a well-optimized profile. You don't know until you hire them.
The ConsumerShield Difference
| Feature | ConsumerShield | Avvo |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Case matching service | Directory/search engine |
| You do the work? | No - we match you | Yes - you search/call attorneys |
| Attorney vetting | Track record in consumer cases | Rating algorithm |
| Case evaluation | Free violation checker | None (just directory) |
| Cost structure | Guaranteed fee-shifting | Varies by attorney |
The Consumer Law Blind Spot
Here's Avvo's biggest problem for debt collection cases: most general attorneys don't understand fee-shifting.
If you search "debt collection attorney" on Avvo, you might find someone who handles it occasionally. They might want a retainer. They might charge hourly.
That's insane. Under the FDCPA, the debt collector pays your attorney fees when you win. Any attorney charging YOU upfront doesn't specialize in this area.
ConsumerShield attorneys take cases on contingency because they know they'll get paid by the collector. That's how specialized they are.
When to Use Avvo
- You need a lawyer for something other than consumer protection
- You want to read reviews before hiring
- You have time to call multiple attorneys yourself
When to Use ConsumerShield
- A debt collector is harassing you
- You're getting robocalls or spam texts
- Your credit report has errors
- You want someone who does this all day, every day
- You don't want to pay a dime upfront
The Bottom Line
Avvo is Google for lawyers. ConsumerShield is a specialist referral service.
If you have a consumer protection case, why would you search a general directory when you can go directly to attorneys who have sued your exact debt collector before?
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