In this article, we’ll review three companies that are transforming the legal marketplace for small businesses: Avvo, UpCounsel, and Priori Legal. These firms let you view attorney ratings and quickly hire a small business lawyer online at lower rates than a law firm for everything from business formation to immigration help to trademark registration.
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Best Place to Find a Small Business Lawyer: Avvo
We recommend Avvo because they offer several options for small businesses needing legal help, many of which are free or fixed rate. Avvo also has the largest attorney network, so you are most likely to find a lawyer who fits your budget and is qualified to help you.
Table of Contents
- Why We Recommend Avvo
- When to Use UpCounsel
- When to Use Priori Legal
- What Legal Services Are Provided?
- What’s the Cost?
- How Fast Can You Get Legal Help?
- Who Are the Attorneys?
- Is There a Satisfaction Guarantee?
Business Lawyer Site Comparison Table: Avvo vs. UpCounsel vs. Priori Legal
# of customers? | 8 million customers/month (# of business customers not provided) | More than 1000 businesses/month | Not Provided |
Hourly or fixed rates? | Both, depending on legal issue (Avvo has the greatest number of fixed rate options) | Both, depending on legal issue | Both, depending on legal issue |
How are attorneys vetted? | Lawyers that offer fixed rate services must have a high ‘Avvo rating,’ which is based on experience, education, and other qualifications | Attorneys must complete an online application and interview; they must have malpractice coverage and maintain positive ratings | Attorneys must complete an online application and interview; they must have malpractice coverage and maintain positive ratings |
Satisfaction guarantee? | Yes - refund or matched to another attorney at no additional cost. | Yes - refund or matched to another attorney at no additional cost. | Yes - no refunds, but you can get matched to another attorney at no additional cost. |
Attorneys’ average years of experience | Not Provided | 14 | 18 |
How quickly can you be matched with an attorney? | Within minutes (1 business day for some fixed rate services) | 1-3 business days | 30-60 minutes |
Free online Q&A with attorney | Yes | No | No |
Free legal forms | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| www.Avvo.com | www.UpCounsel.com | www.PrioriLegal.com |
Avvo
UpCounsel
Priori Legal*Note: Priori Legal is currently only available in California, Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, and Texas.
This guide is for small businesses that want to hire a lawyer. If you’re not looking to hire an attorney but are interested in incorporating a business or accessing legal templates, see our review of the Best Online Legal Service: LegalZoom vs. Rocket Lawyer.
Scott Smith
June 27, 2016 at 4:21 amHi Priyanka, surprised you haven’t gotten lots of nice comments about this article. Very well done!
Priyanka Prakash
June 27, 2016 at 8:51 pmI appreciate that Scott. Thank you!