Help / Frequently Asked Questions

Sections:

1. For Consumers and Reviewers
2. Member Accounts
3. For Lawyers

For Consumers and Reviewers

1-1)  What is the purpose of this site?

This site was created to help consumers find the best lawyers by sharing information and ratings, and to give businesses a "scorecard" on how they are doing. It's part of the Ratingz Network, which is dedicated to helping consumers make smart choices.

1-2)  What is the Ratingz network?

LawyerRatingz.com is part of the Ratingz Network, a family of websites dedicated to helping consumers find the best businesses, places, services, and products by sharing ratings and reviews.

This free website lets users anonymously rate lawyers. Users can also post comments, and see the public comments posted by others. This site is also a useful scorecard, to find out what consumers are really thinking!

1-3)  Who can rate lawyers?

We prefer that you only rate lawyers you have first-hand knowledge of. However, it is not possible for us to verify which raters have knowledge of which lawyers, so always take the ratings with a grain of salt. Remember, we have no way of knowing who is doing the rating - customers, people in the industry, regular people, dogs, cats, etc.

1-4)  How soon are my ratings posted?

Immediately, although sometimes our spam filter will temporarily hide the comments until they can be reviewed.

1-5)  Don't people use this site just to flame? Aren't most of the ratings negative?

No; you may be surprised to learn over 65% of the ratings on the Ratingz Network are positive.

1-6)  What do people associated with lawyers think of this site?

Well, that depends on the lawyer! We get a lot of emails from people telling us they like the site, and we've even had some telling us how the site has helped them. We also get some pretty hateful emails telling us how inappropriate the site is, how they are going to shut us down, etc.

1-7)  How do I rate a lawyer?

We've tried to make this site as easy to use as possible. One way to proceed is to click the "Browse lawyers" link on the front page. You'll then see a list of cities; just click on your city name to bring up the list of lawyers. If your lawyer is already listed, click on the name and rate them. If your lawyer is not yet listed, you can add a listing and rating.

1-8)  Why was my rating removed?

We end up having to remove about 5% of submitted ratings. Ratings are sometimes removed due to improper comments, but more commonly they are removed after having been identified as originating from the same source (spamming of ratings, also called "astroturfing"). Remember, rate each lawyer only once! If we detect multiple reviews from the same source, a message will be posted saying "SYSTEM: 2 duplicate or disallowed ratings automatically removed".

1-9)  Some of my comments got deleted. What comments are OK?

Comments should be objective and specific. Every new rating is reviewed, and we reserve the right to delete comments OR an entire rating. Please do not include insults or name-calling.

Allegations of illegal activity should be substantiated by including a link to a newspaper article or court case.

1-10)  How do the scores work?

All categories are based on a 5 point rating system, with 5 being the best. The overall rating determines the type of "smiley face" that the lawyer receives.

1-11)  Are the rating scores statistically valid?

Probably not. They are a listing of opinions and should be judged as such. However, we often receive emails stating that the ratings are very accurate, especially for lawyers with over 10 ratings.
We urge consumers to get information from many sources, and to consider the reviews posted here as just one source of information.

1-12)  I tried rating a lawyer and the system said it was restricted. What does that mean?

When we detect any strange rating activity for a lawyer, we restrict that lawyer's ratings for some period of time. While restricted, the lawyer can only be rated by logged-in users, so just create a free account (see Member Accounts, below)  and login to submit a rating.

1-13)  I want to delete a rating I wrote; what do I do?

If you were logged into your account (see Member Accounts, below)  when you submitted the rating, you can delete your rating in the member area.

If you do not have an account, or you were not logged into your account when you submitted the rating, you might still be able to delete it.
First, create an account and log into it. Then try to delete the rating here.
If the above method does not work, please use our contact us page and send us the following information:

1. The RID number (or a link to the page where the rating appears, and the date of the rating)
2. From what city and state (or province) did you post the rating?
3. What ISP (internet service provider) were you using? (e.g. Comcast, ATT, AOL, etc)
4. What web browser were you using? (e.g. Firefox, Internet Explorer, etc)
5. Were you using a PC, a Mac, or something else (like an iPhone)?

1-14)  What if I see a rating that I think should be reviewed again? I know you said you review all ratings, but what if you miss one that is not OK?

Now and then an inappropriate rating gets through. You will see a red flag associated with each rating. When you click on that flag, the rating is sent back to us to review again. If it contains profanity or threats of violence, we will handle it. If the rating does not contain profanity or threats of violence, we generally approve it again, and the red flag disappears.

If you don't see a flag, that means we've already reviewed and approved the rating a second time, and we have determined that the rating should not be removed.

1-14b)  Can I be sued for posting a rating?

Yes, it is possible. It is also possible for you to be sued when NOT posting a rating; in the U.S., almost anyone can be sued for anything, particularly if the plaintiff is willing to give false testimony. If you do libel someone, it may be possible to identify you using a Doe subpoena.

1-14c)  If I get sued, will I lose in court?

"Proving adverse public character statements to be true is often the best defence against a prosecution for libel or defamation." - Wikipedia

1-15)  I'm being accused of libel because of the rating I posted; what should I do?

The good people at The Electronic Frontier Foundation have some resources that may help you, here:
https://www.eff.org/issues/bloggers/legal/index

1-16)  What if I see an error with a lawyer, like if the name is spelled wrong or even if it isn't a real lawyer?

After you click on a lawyer, you will see 'Report error with this listing' at the top of the page. Just click on that link and tell us what is wrong or what needs to be changed.

1-17)  How much does this website cost me?

Nothing! The site is free to use.

1-18)  What is your privacy policy?

You can view our Privacy Policy here.

Member Accounts

2-1)  I've seen 'Want to login or Create an account?'. What's that all about?

NO ONE has to have an account to use the site, but creating an account will allow you to track and edit your ratings. After your account is created, you can login to it before posting.

We get some emails from people who made a mistake in their rating and want us to change it. We do not change ratings, due to liability issues. (You may be able to delete your own rating here.) A member account allows you to edit or delete the ratings you have submitted. We have a lot of changes planned, some of which will be for members only, so if you want to use the site to its fullest, be sure and create an account.

2-2)  Do I have to give you my name or email address?

For most listings, you are not required to log in or enter your name or email address. We do require registration in order to rate some specific lawyers where we have seen suspicious rating activity. Creating a member account also gives you the ability to modify or delete reviews you have posted.

2-3)  I'm having trouble logging into my member's page and/or adding ratings. What should I do?

LawyerRatingz.com uses cookies for its login process, so please make sure your browser has cookies enabled, then restart your browser. Unfortunately we can't help debug individual browser problems.

For Lawyers

3-0)  There's an error in my listing; how can I correct it?

Go to your listing page. Near the top of the page is your profile information, and just below it is a link labeled "CORRECT LAWYER'S INFO ABOVE". Click this link and then submit to us what needs to be changed.

3-1)  How do I get a listing removed from your site?

If it is a valid listing, it will not be removed. If the listing is fake, out of business, or invalid in some other way, please click the "Correct Info Above" link on the listing's page and let us know.

3-2)  I don't have many ratings. How can I get more people to enter ratings?

The best thing you can do is to tell your clients about this site. Take pride in your rating, and encourage them to spread the word about the good work you’ve done for them. You can post links to our site on yours, put the link in your email signature, or even email your client mailing list about the site.

3-3)  Can I display your ratings on my own website?

Probably yes. Please go to your listing page and click the "Add these ratings to your website" link, below the ratings.

3-4)  The ratings don't accurately reflect what my clients think of me.

If you believe the ratings are not fair and representative, ask clients to visit this website and rate you. You are also free to post a public response to any review on this site.

3-4a)  How do I get a rating removed from your site?

We generally do not remove ratings. This site is for people to report on their experiences with you. People rate you every day in their conversations and referrals, whether or not you are listed here. Having said that, you will usually see a red flag associated with each rating. When you click on that flag, the rating is sent back to us to review again. If it contains profanity or threats of violence, we will handle it. If the rating does not contain profanity or threats of violence, we generally approve it again, and the red flag disappears. If you are convinced you have been libeled, you might ask an attorney about filing a Doe subpoena. Also, you can publicly respond on our site to the rating by clicking the "respond publicly to this rating" link just below the rating.

3-4b)  But one of these ratings is false and it's hurting my business! I want to send you a letter demanding that it be removed.

We do not accept demand letters because it is not our role to determine whether a review is true or false. You might dispute the truth of a review, but your disputing it does not make it false. Why should we believe you over the reviewer? Still, we believe your voice should be heard, so you are always free to post a public response to any review on this site. Also, if there is a red flag next to the rating, you can click it to have the rating reviewed. If there is no red flag, it means the rating was already reviewed and re-approved, and will not be reviewed again.

3-4c)  If you won't accept a demand letter, I have no choice but to sue you!

Think twice. The Communications Decency Act (the "CDA") is a complete bar to our liability for the statements of others on this website: "No provider or user of an interactive computer service shall be treated as the publisher or speaker of any information provided by another information content provider." 47 U.S.C. § 230. Federal courts have applied this standard on its terms: "By its plain language, Section 230 creates a federal immunity to any cause of action that would make service providers liable for information originating with a third-party user of the service." Zeran v. AOL, 129 F.3d 327, 330 (4th Cir. 1997). The ratings on this site are written by our users, not by our company. Thus, under the CDA, we are not the "publisher or speaker" of the ratings, even if they contain false information and we are not liable for defamation, libel, fraud or any other tort claim you might bring.

And finally, read the summary of legal protections for rating and review sites, and the organizations that assist in defending against baseless lawsuits, at:

RARPA Legal Information

3-4d)  I think my demand letter would put you on notice that the review is false and defamatory. That makes you liable.

No, it doesn't. Zeran, 129 F.3d at 227, and the cases following it uniformly hold that it is not up to us to determine whether your demand letter is correct or the review is correct. The CDA gives us complete immunity for the statements that others make on this site.

3-4d2)  But you lost your CDA immunity by aggregating the user ratings into an average!

Nope. The most instructive case on aggregate ratings is the California Court of Appeals' decision in Gentry v. eBay, which squarely held that such ratings do not transform a publisher into an information content provider. 99 Cal.App.4th 816, 834 (Cal. App. 2002).

3-4e)  I'm going to sue you anyway. Taking down the review is cheaper than paying a lawyer.

Sounds like a Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation (SLAPP)! Twenty-eight states, including our home state, have passed strict anti-SLAPP laws, authorizing expedited motions to dismiss and giving rise to counterclaims seeking attorneys' fees and liquidated damages (Here's an example of a suit that we and the EFF filed: Ratingz, Inc. v. Adrian Philip Thomas, P.A.). If you want to drag us into court, bring your checkbook with you, because you'll be paying our attorneys to defend us.

3-4f)  I'm not in the United States, and I'm going to sue you in my own jurisdiction.

The United States has enacted strict laws protecting US companies from lawsuits brought in foreign jurisdictions. Even if you win a judgment under your local laws, it will not be enforceable in the United States. See, e.g. SPEECH Act of 2010.

3-5)  I see that a lawsuit isn't the answer. Instead, I'm going to pose as a client and rate myself to increase my overall rating.

Better not. We use automated algorithms and human moderators to detect and remove phony reviews. More importantly, it's illegal. Posing as a client or hiring an outside agency to post positive ratings is a practice known as "astroturfing", and it is illegal. If you are caught, you may end up paying $300,000, like this doctor.

3-5a)  Why do you allow people to post anonymously?

The Supreme Court of the United States has held that anonymity of speech is protected under the First Amendment to the Constitution (see McIntyre v. Ohio, 514 U.S. at 337; Talley v. State of California, 362 U.S. 60), also see:
http://www.epic.org/free_speech/default.html#anonymity. United States courts have consistently recognized that the right to speak anonymously extends to speech on the Internet (see Doe v. 2theMart.com and Doe v. Cahill).

3-6)  Why were some of my ratings removed?

3-7)  How can I identify the writer of a libelous rating?

More Questions?

Please use the Contact Form. Note that we do read every question and comment submitted, but we do not guarantee a response.