How Today’s Consumers REALLY Search for an Attorney

October 11, 2012

The Research Intelligence Group: Methodology

Information you can trust:•Established research firm•Third-party firm•Double-blind survey•Large population•Representative sample of U.S. Internet users

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Commissioned by LexisNexis®

4,000 adults 18 years and older

Just How Many Consumers Are Looking for an Attorney?

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110 million consumers in the United States sought an attorney at least once in their lives.

58 million consumers in the United States sought an attorney in the past year.

Most sought-after practice areas:•Real Estate•Personal Injury•Last Will & Testament•Divorce

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When it comes to finding an attorney, consumers often sought advice from family and friends…

…but the research also shows that the Internet plays an increasing role.

Friends and Family

of those seeking an attorney in the past year cited using advice from friends and family at some point in the process.

Where Are They Looking?

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76% 76% of those seeking an attorney in the past year cited using online resources at some point in the process.

Consumers Turn to the Internet throughout the Search Process

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Gather

Find

Validate

Select

Online resources were used by those who sought an attorney in the past year to:

Search Engines

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39% of consumers turned to search engines when gathering information.

re

Where Are They Looking?

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Lawyers.comSM is the top-cited online legal resource mentioned by consumers who sought an attorney in the past year, following Google.

Online directories were also a popular resource for consumers.

Online Directories: Lawyers.comSM and martindale.com®

Together, the LexisNexis® Martindale-Hubbell® legal sites Lawyers.comSM and martindale.com® were the top-used online directories at each phase of the attorney selection process, according to those who sought an attorney in the past year.

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used online directories to gather information.

used online directories to find a lawyer.

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Behind search engines, legal advice forums were the second most popular online option at the beginning of the search process.

Legal Advice Forums

of respondents visited online legal advice forums at the beginning of the search process.

of respondents used legal advice forums to find a lawyer.

Facebook® was the most popular site among respondents at every phase in the search process.

Social Media

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used social media sites to gather information about their legal issue.

used social media sites to find a lawyer.

Ratings and Reviews

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Recommendations from personal acquaintances and opinions posted by consumers online were important to consumers.

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of respondents used an online resource to check and compare ratings and reviews of a lawyer or firm.

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used under license. Other products and services may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies. Copyright 2012 LexisNexis. All rights reserved.

May 3, 2023