FindLaw has been a big name in legal marketing for years, and there’s no denying its impact. But in our experience, it’s not the marketing powerhouse many believe it to be.
We’ve seen firsthand why many lawyers are moving away from FindLaw, and we’re here to share those insights.
In this FindLaw review, we’ll present objective reasons why we believe it may not be worth the investment.
We’ve collected real experiences from attorneys who’ve used FindLaw – both the wins and the frustrations. We’ll break down their services, compare them to alternatives, and lay out the facts.
While we have our perspective as a law firm marketing provider, we encourage you to read on and decide for yourself.
What Is FindLaw?
FindLaw is a comprehensive legal marketing platform serving lawyers and law firms.
Founded in Silicon Valley in 1995 and officially launched in 1996, it has evolved from a free legal information source to a full-service marketing provider for attorneys.
Now a part of Thomson Reuters, FindLaw hosts the largest online lawyer directory and attracts over 11 million visitors monthly.
FindLaw’s primary focus is helping small to medium-sized law firms grow their client base through digital marketing. They offer specialized services for various practice areas, including:
Key offerings include:
• Website design
• SEO services
• Online advertising
• Legal directory listings
Their main selling point?
A claimed deep understanding of legal professionals’ unique marketing needs.
FindLaw offers specialized services for various practice areas, including family law, criminal defense, and personal injury. While they were pioneers in legal marketing, today’s landscape offers many more options. Our legal practice marketing guide breaks down the full spectrum of modern marketing strategies available to law firms in 2025.
However, it’s worth noting that the digital marketing landscape has changed significantly since FindLaw’s inception.
What worked in 1995 or even 2010 may not be as effective today.
In the next section, we’ll take a closer look at FindLaw’s specific services and how they measure up in today’s fast-paced digital world.
What Services Do They Offer?
FindLaw offers a range of digital marketing services tailored for law firms. Let’s break down their most popular offerings:
1. Website Design and Hosting
FindLaw creates and hosts websites for law firms. These sites are mobile-friendly and optimized for search engines. However, they often use templates, which may limit customization options.
2. Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
This service aims to improve a firm’s visibility in search results. FindLaw uses both on-page and off-page SEO tactics. Their approach tends to be broad rather than tailored to specific local markets or practice areas.
3. Pay-Per-Click (PPC) Advertising
FindLaw manages Google Ads campaigns for law firms. This includes keyword research, ad creation, and ongoing campaign optimization. The goal is to target potential clients actively searching for legal services.
4. Legal Directory Listings
FindLaw maintains its own online legal directory and offers premium listings within it. This can be particularly useful for niche practice areas. The directory is often well-ranked in search results, potentially increasing a firm’s visibility.
5. Social Media Management
This service covers content creation and post scheduling across platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. FindLaw aims to maintain an active social media presence for law firms. However, the depth of engagement and community building can vary.
6. Content Marketing
FindLaw creates blog posts and articles on legal topics for law firm websites. This content is designed to demonstrate expertise and improve SEO. The quality and specificity of the content can vary depending on the writer assigned to the account.
7. Lead Generation
This service delivers potential client inquiries directly to law firms. FindLaw uses various methods to generate these leads, including their directory and PPC campaigns. The quality and exclusivity of these leads can vary significantly.
8. Analytics and Reporting
FindLaw provides regular reports on website traffic, search rankings, and lead generation metrics. These reports aim to give firms insight into their digital marketing performance. However, the depth of analysis and actionable insights provided can be limited.
Curious about how this all plays out in real life?
In the next section, we’ll share experiences from lawyers who’ve actually used FindLaw. Their stories might give you a better idea of what to expect.
FindLaw Reviews From Real Customers
❌ “Expect a Bad Customer Experience”
A 100% accurate regarding the difficulty of cancellation if you are unsatisfied. We routinely speak with potential clients who want to switch to us but are being held hostage with a multi-year marketing services agreement.
“The company is structured so that once you sign up, you’re passed along from a sales rep to an account manager. The account manager is looking after hundreds and hundreds of accounts.”
✅ “Very Useful for Legal Research”
If you search for anything related to law, you will likely see a FindLaw page on the first page of results. Any state, any law…it’s impressive.
We can attest that FindLaw works hard to generate quality content that has been sourced and proofed and is generally very helpful to the average person.
❌ “Crippling Contracts for Small Law Firms”
Law firms are ready to make moves because they know they need to do something. A smooth-talking representative from FindLaw slides in and shares their fantastic suite of solutions. It’s a match made in heaven.
The problem comes when you’re not seeing results, which is common, and you start noticing that your competitor across town is getting the premium positions you thought you were entitled to.
❌ “No ROI, Money is Better Spent Anywhere Else”
Again, this is a common situation with clients who come to us after their term expires.
Compared to us, FindLaw is more like a factory. We’re the hand-crafted, small-batch alternative.
❌ “Virtually No New Cases + No Exclusivity”
We can affirm that FindLaw routinely puts attorneys in competition with their neighbors; it’s baked into their financial model.
This is the main problem with directory-based companies: they are not built to have exclusive relationships. They want to monetize their asset as much as possible, which means selling every inch of space on that directory.
✅ “Reliable Site for Legal Information”
We know from first-hand experience that their legal material, which is on the Internet for free consumption, is quite good. They use actual lawyers, apply editorial standards and it’s generally beneficial. We’ve used it ourselves!
✅ “Great Resource When Deciding Practice Areas”
If you are a young attorney looking to develop a new practice, FindLaw is a great place to kick your ideas around.
They also organize all their listings by city, which can be helpful for a new attorney to gauge the relative competition in the area they will be practicing.
Confessions of a Former FindLaw Client
The reviewer, a seasoned attorney, shares their journey from traditional legal research to digital marketing with FindLaw.
With a long history connected to West Publishing Company, FindLaw’s predecessor, they witnessed firsthand the transition from print to digital legal research, providing a unique perspective on the evolution of legal information services.
Their Initial Experience with FindLaw
“Enter the Findlaw sales representative. Like all of them, our fellow was a very chatty guy who could quickly overwhelm you with all the clients you were bound never to have because you did not have a presence on the Internet.”
The promise was enticing: a customized website and increased client acquisition.
Reality of the Service They Got
✅ “My firm did get clients as a result of Findlaw’s efforts. The new business paid for Findlaw, and to say otherwise would be incorrect.”
❌ “However, it looked suspiciously like other ‘unique’ websites and produced pages touting our expertise in various areas of the law.”
❌ “The problem was our firm got to pay for the website over and over and over. Once the initial work on the website was completed, you never heard from them again except when it was time to renew the Findlaw subscription.”
Long-term Issues
“Pretty soon, the FindLaw site you had paid for many times became stale, and your colleagues seemed to be closing in on whatever advantage you might have had. Any adjustments to your electronic presence were complex to come by, and even if your Findlaw guy changed things, it was always with additional costs.”
Key Takeaways
- Initial results may be positive but can diminish over time
- Ongoing costs may not match value received
- Lack of personalized attention and proactive support
- Important to stay informed about digital marketing trends
“Lawyers who do electronic advertising, which is virtually everyone, need help to contend with ever more sophisticated digital advertising. To keep up, you need something or someone who knows the practice of law and knows how to operate within the boundaries of digital marketing effectively.”
Final Verdict
“FindLaw is now in the rearview mirror, and we’ve replaced our beginner’s set of electronic golf clubs with a new and improved set of clubs.”
The reviewer concludes by emphasizing the importance of finding a digital marketer who understands both marketing and law practice, noting that while a website might look good, it often lacks meaningful content.
So, Is FindLaw Worth It?
The short answer? It depends on your firm’s specific needs and resources.
FindLaw has some clear advantages:
- It’s an established, well-known company with years of experience in legal marketing.
- They offer a wide range of services, from website design to SEO and PPC advertising.
- Their large network can provide potential referrals and networking opportunities.
However, there are significant drawbacks to consider:
- Their SEO services often underperform compared to more specialized providers.
- Lead quality and frequency can be inconsistent.
- They sell the same services to your competitors, potentially limiting your competitive edge.
Many lawyers report mixed experiences with FindLaw.
While some appreciate the convenience of a one-stop-shop for marketing needs, others feel trapped in long-term contracts with diminishing returns.
A former client noted:
“Pretty soon, the FindLaw site you had paid for many times became stale, and your colleagues seemed to be closing in on whatever advantage you might have had.”
Ultimately, FindLaw might be worth it if you’re new to digital marketing and need a comprehensive solution to get started.
However, for firms looking for more specialized, personalized service or better ROI, there may be better alternatives.
Before making a decision, it’s crucial to compare FindLaw with other legal marketing services. Let’s take a look at how FindLaw stacks up against its competitors in the next section.
FindLaw vs. Other Legal Marketing Services
When choosing a legal marketing service, it’s essential to understand how different providers stack up. Let’s compare FindLaw with some key competitors:
| Service | Strengths | Weaknesses | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| FindLaw | Comprehensive services, established brand | Rigid contracts, one-size-fits-all approach | Firms new to digital marketing |
| Avvo | Strong directory presence, Q&A platform | Limited marketing services | Boosting online visibility |
| Justia | SEO-focused, quality legal content | Less comprehensive than full-service agencies | SEO and content marketing |
| Constellation | Tailored strategies, exclusivity, flexible terms | More focused on digital than traditional marketing | Firms seeking personalized, results-driven marketing |
While each service has its merits, they also have limitations. FindLaw’s broad approach might not suit all firms. Avvo and Justia excel in visibility but lack comprehensive marketing solutions.
Constellation stands out by offering tailored strategies with the added benefit of exclusivity. We combine the comprehensive approach of larger providers with the personalized touch of boutique agencies.
But don’t just take our word for it. Many firms have made the switch from FindLaw to Constellation and seen significant improvements in their digital marketing results.
Let’s dive deeper into Constellation’s approach and share some real-world case studies.
You’ll see how firms that transitioned from FindLaw to Constellation have transformed their online presence and client acquisition strategies.
Case Studies from Former FindLaw Clients
Our Client’s Organic Search Traffic Improved Almost Immediately
It all started with a fresh, new website. After we wrote brand new content, performed updated keyword research, overhauled the site organization, and cleaned up technical issues, organic search traffic from Google increased almost immediately and continued to grow.
The days of setting up a website, leaving it, and expecting results are over. We work hard every month to add new content, continue optimizing, and stay ahead of the curve.
Lead Frequency and Quality Continues to Improve
Before working with us, our client Manji Law had relied on FindLaw’s marketing services to provide leads for his law firm, but these were unpredictable and generally low-quality. Over the past year, his monthly lead volume has skyrocketed to a 568% increase, and this number just keeps climbing.
The best part is that these leads are not the ‘tire-kickers’ often coming from directory websites like FindLaw, Avvo, and Lawyers.com. We outlined the most profitable and sought-after cases for the firm and built a successful plan to capture that market.
We’ve Made Huge Gains Against the Competition
With FindLaw’s marketing services, competitors dominated Google for their key search terms. The only terms their FindLaw website ranked for was their name. This is no longer the case, and the firm now ranks on the first page for over 250 highly-coveted keywords.
In a mid-size market like where our client is located, there are only so many good leads to go around. As more prospects do their homework online, your firm must have a plan of action if you want to stay competitive.
FAQs about FindLaw Legal Marketing
Here, we answer many of the common questions around FindLaw. If you don’t find what you’re looking for,email us, and we’d be happy to chat.
Can You Offer Any Insights Into Findlaw Services and Results?
Yes. It’s a mixed bag, to be honest. The single best service they offer is preferred directory listings. Depending on your firm’s practice and the relative cost of acquiring new customers, this may be a good option.
This might surprise you, but we encourage some attorneys to use paid directory listings – with certain caveats. The conditions are that the listings must bring in more real cases in revenue than they cost and not detract from their website strategy. We are strong proponents of owning your own real estate and investing in your own website with great content, outreach, and technical SEO. Not only is this more cost-effective than paying for leads from FindLaw, but it works better.
Does Findlaw Sell Websites, or Do They Just “Rent” Them?
They do both. This article details FindLaw’s one-sided contracts and the fact that your site is essentially their property. Not good! That technically includes anything you write as well, which is quite sneaky. We advise using your existing domain but building a brand new website.
There are also examples of Thomson Reuters ‘renting’ existing websites that rank for popular search terms to the highest bidder, as seen here.
Either way, from personal experience, we have seen that their month-to-month management of websites is basically nonexistent, even while spending over $1k per month on SEO services! Your law firm is much better off owning your online real estate and developing it over time. If you rely on FindLaw as your website provider and choose to leave at some point without proper planning, you’re at risk of losing a substantial amount (or all) of your content.
Isn’t Findlaw’s Content Optimized and Extra Special?
Honestly, it’s not good. You are better off doing some homework and writing it yourself. The days of stuffing a bunch of the same keyword into a page and ranking for the term are over.
From a technical standpoint, they don’t practice many industry-standard guidelines. The reason for this is that they are not a custom shop. They have a packaged service offering with little time for deviation and personal attention.
Our tip? Write long, detailed content that completely covers the topic of your page. Don’t write it like an article on legal information for fellow lawyers – put it in terms that anyone coming off the street can understand. More and more, Google’s search algorithm demands good quality if it is to reward it with a high position in the rankings. With such a high volume of content being added to the web every day worldwide, you have to do something to stand out.
If you want to get ahead, doing the same ‘stuff’ that FindLaw is doing for your direct competitors is not the answer.
We’ve included some resources below that you will likely find helpful for review. If you have any questions about them, email us.
If I Quit Findlaw, Won’t My Site Rank Poorly?
Not really. In fact, we’ve seen quite the opposite – they’ve dramatically improved.
Additionally, we’ve started to rank for lots more keywords than before as a byproduct of developing longer, better content. You see, people search for the same thing in various ways with different words and subsequently receive different search results. By creating well-developed content, you win more ‘long-tail keywords,’ traffic, and, ultimately, leads for your firm.
The value of the directory listing is the biggest thing you want to be aware of when thinking about leaving FindLaw. The most important assets for you as a lawyer are the links that get pointed back to your website. Since FindLaw is a highly trafficked site with many visitors and thousands of inbound links, it possesses a high domain authority score.
Receiving links from sites with high domain authority boosts yours. If you cease to have a directory listing, they will quickly take down these links, temporarily reducing your ability to rank. That being said, there are thousands of websites with high domain authority where you can work to earn links.
How Much Money Will It Cost to Have Findlaw Build Me a Custom Website?
It depends. The first thing to understand is that you’re likely unable to purchase a website and be on your way. Typically, FindLaw wraps these sites into service packages that include directory listings, preferential treatment within the directory, and other items.
Our personal experience was with a firm that paid around $1,300 every month, and the website was included, with an update available after a couple of years.
We also have seen accounts of subscriptions costing anywhere from $250 per month to nearly $10,000. We can’t definitively say what an engagement would cost without better visibility into their pricing.
How Can I Stop Paying For Bad Performance Without Eliminating the Leads They Do Provide?
If you can afford it, we recommend continuing a directory relationship with FindLaw/Thomson Reuters but leaving to have someone else manage your website. Their website can indeed be a source of leads, so it never hurts to take advantage of it.
Where they fail is being able to simultaneously build your site to attract organic search traffic. When anticipating a move to a new website, start creating the content in Word or Google Docs over time so you’re prepared in advance.
If you’ve had it with FindLaw altogether and want to jump camps, do some homework first. The most important thing to consider is the type of searches your ideal client would make. Who is dominating the results for those queries? Lawyers.com? Justia? Avvo?
We suggest developing a relationship with the group with the best position for your niche.
