Lawsonline™ Ratings System
Lawsonline utilizes a legal ratings system that evaluates legal professionals listed on the site for their Internet savvy and technological advancement as it pertains to the quality of service they offer clients. Each requirement that is met merits the law firm one checkmark within their listing. A total of four checkmarks is possible. If a legal organization does not possess any checkmarks, they may have chosen not to participate in the ratings system, or they may not have been rated yet. A star within any listing denotes membership, and a blue ribbon within any listing denotes honorary membership. A video camera denotes the legal organization utilizes and/or offers videoconferencing, a service Lawsonline's parent company, enlighten technologies incorporated™, offers.
The ratings system is based upon the following criteria:
- Does your legal organization possess a web presence? This is defined as any form of website promotion, such as a website, logo, or banner ad, or some form of web link.
- Does your law firm utilize secure online backups, client file management or Internet research? Examples include LAWCHEK®, WESTLAW, LEXIS, or Legalconference.com™.
- Has your legal organization been in practice, and using computers, for five years or longer?
- Has your legal organization, or any member, received an Internet or technological award or been highlighted in any major publication? Or, has the firm participated in 25 trials or more.
Upon review, if your legal organization qualifies in at least one area, you will receive a checkmark. If your law firm meets more than one of the listed criteria, you will receive checkmarks for each area met. For a key to the ratings system, please see the Legend to the right.
The primary considerations in selecting a legal professional should be whether the client feels comfortable with the professional selected and if he is confident that the professional is competent in his field of expertise. Much depends upon an individual's judgment, and many times a legal professional is hired on the basis of referrals from other individuals who have for one reason or another experienced professional relationship as a result of work performed.
