For 4 years now Avvo has been at the vanguard of uniting lawyers and consumers.  In a very short time, we’ve gone from completely unknown to being the largest and most trafficked legal directory in the world.  We’ve achieved such success by helping consumers solve their legal problems in ways no one else has, and by helping lawyers reach consumers easily and cost effectively.

As a result of our tremendous growth in a very rocky economy, Avvo recently secured a $10 million round of venture financing to fuel further expansion.  Thus far we’ve been quiet about how we will use that money to expand, but now we feel it’s time share some of the details.

Discovering the missing link

After our “How to Date a Lawyer” article last February, we were inundated with emails from consumers wanting to meet single lawyers.   Initially we laughed off the idea of matchmaking, but after running the idea by several single lawyers who also expressed interest, we slowly became open to the idea.  A bevy of surveys and focus groups confirmed the real need for a lawyer dating site, and Avvo Singles was born.

Avvo Singles

In the near future, Avvo will be launching a new feature called Avvo Singles.  The functionality will seamlessly integrate in the current Avvo website.   Lawyers who have signed up for Avvo Singles will be called-out by a simple, elegant heart in their profiles.  Two versions of the heart are offered depending on sexual orientation. Consumers interested in dating a lawyer can contact them in the same way they currently contact lawyers.  At that point, Avvo steps aside and lets chemistry take over.

Avvo Singles: The best way for lawyers to find love

There are plenty of dating sites out there, but what distinguishes Avvo Singles is how naturally it fits into a lawyer’s life.  As you well know, the single biggest dating challenge attorneys face is lack of time.   Looking for love online can help, but setting up countless profiles on Match.com, Eharmony, Yahoo Singles, etc. is still time consuming.

With Avvo Singles, your lawyer profile already exists, and countless potential mates already see it every day.   For consumers, Avvo Singles offers only pre-screened attorneys to choose from, which is a safe alternative to other dating sites where predators can operate with impunity.  And while some may accuse us of blurring the line between business and pleasure, we trust that lawyers will exercise good judgment and follow professional conduct rules in their jurisdictions.

Pricing

Avvo Singles will be completely free for consumers, while attorneys will pay a modest $29.95/mo, with no contracts, set up fees or commitments.   Compared to other online dating services, Avvo Singles is an extremely easy,  inexpensive and effective way to find love.

Feedback welcome

Avvo Singles is set to launch in the next quarter and we welcome feedback from the legal community.  We hope that lawyers, whether single or in a relationship, will see Avvo Singles as another sign of Avvo’s commitment to uniting lawyers and consumers in fresh, innovative ways.