Top 10 Lawyer Directories: Find a Lawyer for Your Needs
Introduction
Finding an experienced, successful lawyer for your legal matter can be challenging because not all law firms are alike. Fortunately, lawyer directories are invaluable when you need to find an attorney to fit your needs.
Using the top lawyer directories can provide insight into the legal professionals you’re considering, including their experience, track record, disciplinary records, and past client testimonials. With so many choices available, deciding which online lawyer directory is most reliable for your attorney search can be tricky.
Top 10 Best Lawyer Directories in the U.S.
The best law firms directories are designed to help people find the perfect attorney for their needs. With extensive databases and user-friendly applications, lawyer directories, and the unified list of lawyers in the USA offer various advantages that can streamline your search, including:
A searchable database of hundreds or even thousands of qualified attorneys;
Detailed profiles with essential information about lawyers’ expertise, qualifications, and experience;
Contact information for contacting local attorneys directly; and
Client reviews and ratings used to gauge an attorney’s professionalism and success rate.
However, with the abundance of online lawyer directories available, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and uncertain about where to begin your search for legal representation. This guide provides a curated list of the top lawyer directories in the U.S. to help you cut through the noise and focus your search on platforms with a proven track record of connecting people with reputable attorneys.
Lawrina Match
Lawrina Match is a streamlined, easy-to-use lawyer directory that can help you find a suitable attorney quickly and efficiently. This innovative platform features comprehensive free lawyer directory listings, including qualifications and client reviews.
Lawrina’s intuitive search option allows users to look for lawyers based on their unique legal problem and location. It’s as simple as inputting your location and practice area into the platform’s search function, and Lawrina will present you with a range of suitable lawyer profiles.
In addition to aiding in your attorney search, Lawrina Match also offers additional resources that you can use to learn more about your legal issue, such as articles, templates, guides, and an informative legal blog.
Ease of use: Very easy to use with a self-explanatory, intuitive search function.
Pros and cons: Free legal research resources for those wanting to learn more. As a newer player, Lawrina is still adding attorney profiles.
Trustpilot rating: 4 stars.
Lawrina has another advantage for those looking for legal documents for their business or personal use — an impressive arsenal of easy-to-use legal templates. Some of the most commonly used legal forms and documents include:
Lease agreements;
Car bills of sale;
Independent contractor agreements;
Vendor agreements;
Child care authorization letters;
Tenants in common agreements.
Lawrina’s templates can be filled out, customized, and edited in seconds, making the platform a convenient one-stop shop for your personal and business legal needs.
Lawyers.com
Lawyers.com is a reputable lawyer directories platform that can help you find a qualified attorney to resolve your legal issue. Lawyers.com makes it easy to search for attorneys based on location and practice area and simplifies finding the best lawyer for you.
In addition, the platform is a trusted source of legal information and features an extensive collection of legal articles. Lawyers.com allows users to ask a lawyer and features a catalog of recently answered questions to browse first. Like Lawrina Match, Lawyers.com will enable clients to provide feedback and share their experiences with specific attorneys.
Ease of use: It’s easy to get started with the platform’s search screen and find many suitable attorney profiles in your area.
Pros and cons: You can instantly contact and chat with an attorney. However, paid attorney profiles are shown first, regardless of their credentials and client reviews, so you’ll want to spend some time browsing the platform.
Trustpilot rating: 2.9 stars.
Avvo
Avvo is a well-respected resource within the law firms directories space. In addition to an extensive lawyer directory, the platform also incorporates a Q&A forum where users ask legal questions and attorneys provide answers.
In addition, Avvo has a proprietary rating system called the Avvo Rating, which evaluates attorneys based on their experience, client reviews, and professional conduct. Avvo says it has, to date, rated 97 percent of all lawyers in the U.S.
Ease of use: An easy and intuitive search screen allows you to find attorneys based on practice area and city.
Pros and cons: The platform is generally easy to navigate and uncluttered. However, the proprietary Avvo rating system does not necessarily reflect skill and expertise. Attorneys who fill in all details of their profiles automatically receive a higher Avvo rating.
Trustpilot rating: 2 stars.
Nolo
Nolo is a well-known name, having occupied a prominent space in the legal field since the early 1970s. Still a prominent player among online lawyer directories, USA-based, the platform is a go-to place for small businesses and individuals looking for an attorney or legal resource. In addition to lawyer directories, Nolo hosts a range of educational materials, such as books, articles, and webinars about legal topics.
Nolo also provides various legal documents (for a fee) for small business owners and individuals.
Ease of use: Nolo’s directory of lawyers is easy to use. Custom legal forms are uncomplicated to edit and customize.
Pros and cons: Affordable legal forms for individuals and businesses can be used and edited multiple times once purchased. However, some users reported that customer service is hard to reach.
Trustpilot rating: 1.7 stars.
Lawyer.com
Lawyer.com offers a robust, searchable database of legal professionals in the U.S. and Canada, together with a range of additional services. Useful for those seeking an attorney, the lawyer online directory displays disciplinary actions or ethical violations on an attorney’s record, allowing users to make informed decisions. The Lawyer.com platform is, however, not as easy to use or intuitive as some of the other lawyer directories, so it can take a while to familiarize yourself with its features.
Ease of use: The lawyer search is hidden in a side menu and is more complicated than on other platforms. Clicking “find a lawyer” on the main screen leads users to an online form.
Pros and cons: The lawyer directory is streamlined and easy to scan when browsing. However, the lawyer profiles do not feature client reviews or ratings.
Trustpilot rating: 2.8 stars.
Justia
Justia is a veteran player in the online law firm directories market. While the platform features a solid, easy-to-navigate lawyer directory, it is better known for its extensive free legal resources covering a variety of legal subjects. Justia allows users to access online legal guides, maintains a database of cases and codes, and even offers a legal news section. If you want to educate yourself in a specific area of the law or are looking to understand legal processes, Justia makes an excellent choice.
Ease of use: While not on the homepage, the lawyer search function is easy to access and use.
Pros and cons: You can ask a question directly on the platform, which an attorney will answer. The lawyer directory can be overwhelming, with many attorneys and lengthy profiles to sift through.
Trustpilot rating: 3.7 stars.
FindLaw
FindLaw is a reputable lawyer directory that can connect you with a qualified attorney near you. The platform’s lawyer profiles are clearly arranged and prominently display client reviews.
Beyond its attorney directory, FindLaw offers an impressive collection of legal articles, blogs, guides, and other resources covering various legal topics. Taking advantage of the legal information provided can help individuals and business owners better understand their legal situation and prepare them for an attorney consultation.
Ease of use: With uncluttered attorney profiles, Findlaw is easy to navigate and use.
Pros and cons: As a high-traffic legal resource, FindLaw helps attorneys gain visibility and attract leads. Premium profiles can be expensive, typically costing over $100 per month.
Trustpilot rating: N/A.
Martindale
Martindale-Hubbell is the oldest legal directory in the U.S. The platform is not only one of the most respected players in the online lawyer directories space but also the parent company of various other online legal resources, including Avvo and Nolo.
Martindale differs from most other top lawyer directories in that it has its own rating system and client reviews. This gives users another benchmark to consider when searching for an attorney.
Ease of use: The website is uncluttered, and the attorney search function is easy to use.
Pros and cons: Peer review ratings and client reviews are prominently displayed on attorneys’ profiles. That said, other functionalities on the Martindale website seem more targeted toward lawyers and law firms than those seeking legal representation.
Trustpilot rating: 3.2 stars.
Super Lawyers
While Super Lawyers features a lawyer directory, it primarily functions as a lawyer rating service. Only a few attorneys from each jurisdiction are selected for Super Lawyers (no more than 5 percent in each state). Therefore, the platform can help you find a distinguished, recognized, and successful attorney.
Ease of use: It is easy to identify Super Lawyers near you by using the search function.
Pros and cons: A smaller pool of attorneys can make this lawyer directory less overwhelming than others. However, Super Lawyers’ online legal resources are underdeveloped compared to the best lawyer directories.
Trust Pilot rating: N/A.
LawTally
LawTally is a relatively new online lawyer resource. Unlike some other law firm directories, the platform almost exclusively targets individuals looking for legal help and representation. Searching for a lawyer in your area is easy with the platform’s streamlined homepage search option.
While LawTally does not include legal guides, templates, or other major legal resources, it does feature an engaging and informative blog with posts directed at individuals who need legal assistance.
Ease of use: The Lawtally website features advertisements, making it cluttered and challenging to use.
Pros and cons: You can request a consultation directly on the platform, which saves time. However, since Lawtally is relatively new, many attorney profiles are incomplete and missing client reviews.
Trustpilot rating: N/A.
How To Choose the Right Attorney for Your Legal Needs
Finding the right attorney for your case can feel overwhelming and stressful. However, before you dive into online lawyer directories for hours on end, clarify your specific goals, requirements, and criteria for an attorney.
First, it is essential to find an attorney who specializes in cases or legal issues similar to yours. For instance, an attorney focusing on car accident cases might not be ideal if you have a medical malpractice claim. Although both cases involve personal injury law, each requires a distinct tool set.
Key factors to consider when selecting an attorney include:
Experience and success in handling similar cases;
Transparency about the firm’s fee structure;
Stellar reputation within the legal community and among clients; and
Resources and capabilities to handle complex and lengthy claims.
Once you’re clear on the type of attorney you’re looking for, start your search by seeking referrals from friends and family. Another approach is to reach out to attorneys you’ve worked with in the past on different matters, as they may be able to recommend an excellent lawyer from their professional network. Once you have a few names on your, review the attorneys’ profiles and client reviews in the top lawyer directories.
Benefits of Using an Online Lawyer Directory
If you want to find an attorney, online lawyer directories can be the ultimate solution. The top lawyer directories, USA-based, offer many advantages that can make your quest for an attorney efficient and convenient. Here are some of the advantages of using the best online lawyer directories for your search:
Extensive database of attorneys: The best lawyer directories can provide access to a vast pool of legal professionals, allowing you to find local attorneys who specialize in the practice area relevant to your case.
Detailed attorney profiles: Online lawyer directory profiles showcase attorneys’ qualifications, track records, and practice areas. They allow you to evaluate attorneys and shortlist suitable candidates with just a few clicks.
Client reviews and ratings: Most online directories in the U.S. feature client reviews and ratings. These testimonials can help you understand whether most clients have been satisfied with a specific attorney. You can then avoid attorneys who have mostly negative reviews.
Convenience and efficiency: Using online directories beats hours of research and phone calls. Online lawyer directories allow you to find an attorney by conveniently browsing profiles from the comfort of your home.
Direct contact and inquiry: One of the major advantages of online lawyer directories is that many allow you to contact attorneys directly, whether through clicking a “contact me” button, emailing, or direct messaging. This allows users to inquire about attorneys’ availability and fees and ask their most pressing questions or schedule a consultation.
Conclusion
The online lawyer directories discussed in this article are all designed to help you find an attorney who matches your requirements. The best lawyer directories vary somewhat in the resources they provide and the format of the attorney profiles.
However, most lawyer directories can help you learn about an attorney’s expertise, qualifications, and past clients’ satisfaction. With their extensive databases and user-friendly interfaces, lawyer directories can be a fantastic resource for those wanting to learn about the law and facilitate searching for a trustworthy and reputable lawyer.
Inna Lohvin (Ptitsyna) was a Product Communications Manager for Lawrina. Inna has a law degree and great expertise in legal innovations. Along with her work for Lawrina, Inna is a part of the international community of legal hackers, where she gives presentations about the importance of PR and marketing for lawyers.