Dead Lawyer Fatigue
One of the hazards of launching in new states is that we have to return, once again, to the bottom of the learning curve. I recently saw a Florida news article reporting that Avvo has Abraham Lincoln and other dead lawyers in its database. And, once again, the implication of the latest Uncle Abe sighting was that the Avvo system is somehow flawed.
I officially have dead lawyer fatigue. Not enough to remove dead lawyers from the Avvo database, mind you; but rather, just enough to take the time to offer these four simple facts in an attempt to rejuvenate myself:
- Fact #1:
Avvo has EVERY deceased lawyer in its database in the states we currently cover.
Fact #2:
Consumers will NOT see a dead lawyer in their search results or anywhere else on the site UNLESS they search for the dead lawyer by name.*
Fact #3:
Having dead lawyers in our system is NOT a flaw in our system.
Fact #4:
Having dead lawyers in our system is REALLY cool.
*Click here to see Avvo’s disclosure on the site in this regard. The disclosure is also on every dead lawyers profile page.
Oddly I feel better already; but allow me to offer some additional color around these facts:
Avvo is building one of the largest lawyer databases in the country. Our power is in the breadth and depth of our database, including the fact that our database includes EVERY person that has ever been licensed as a lawyer in a given state, whether that person is dead or alive. That is cool.
Why is it cool? Because whatever your research assignment may be regarding licensed lawyers, you can find it on Avvo. Wondering whether your disbarred lawyer has been reinstated? Check Avvo. Wondering why your uncle stopped practicing law in 1975? Check Avvo. Wondering when Richard Nixon was licensed to practice law? Check Avvo.
At Avvo, it is not our mission to judge what information should be available to consumers. To the contrary, it is our mission to offer as much information and guidance to consumers as possible. Dead lawyers means a darn big database, and we at Avvo are very proud of it.
One closing note here: If a bar does not tell us someone is dead, there is really no way for us to know that the lawyer is truly dead. Sadly, a start-up budget does not contemplate a forensics team. Still, on occasion, we will get a call or email informing us that a dead attorney still has an Avvo Rating. Our general response is that they (or, even better, the lawyer’s family) should let the bar know so that the bar can update their records. Prudently, in my opinion, Avvo relies on the bars to tell us who is in fact dead or alive.
Hopefully this will lay to rest (every pun intended) any confusion about Avvo displaying dead lawyers.