Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
[STK]
[IN] FIN ITE WEB
[SU] FEA SVY
TO FEATURES, AND LIFESTYLES EDITORS:
Internet is Now the Most Popular Way to Find and Research a Lawyer,
Says FindLaw Survey
EAGAN, Minn., April 21, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Consumers are mostly
likely to turn to the Internet to find and research a lawyer before
hiring them, compared with other methods, according to a new survey by
FindLaw.com, the most popular legal information website.
Thirty-eight percent of people surveyed said they would use the
Internet to help them find a lawyer. Twenty-nine percent said they
would ask a friend or relative. Smaller percentages said they would
contact the local bar association or use the Yellow Pages.
Fifteen percent of people surveyed said that they already have a
relationship with a lawyer, and would not research other lawyers if
they had a legal issue for which they needed representation.
The results are a significant change from a similar FindLaw survey
conducted in 2005, reflecting the growth of the Internet and people's
willingness to search online for professional services. In 2005, only
seven percent of people said they would use the Internet to find a
lawyer, finishing a distant fourth among the research options at the
time.
2014 2005
Internet 38% 7%
Ask a friend or relative 29% 65%
Consult local bar association 10% 13%
Yellow pages 4% 10%
"The Internet provides a faster, easier, and more thorough method to
find an attorney," said Stephen Noel, vice president, strategic
development and audience, Thomson Reuters. "Friends or relatives may
only know a limited number of attorneys, and those attorneys may not
specialize in the areas of law where help is needed. Free online
resources, such as the FindLaw Lawyer Directory, can quickly identify
lawyers in your area. Users can compare attorneys' credentials and
experience, as well as find attorneys that provide free consultations
or special services, such as other languages spoken."
Other helpful resources include FindLaw's Guide to Hiring a Lawyer,
which provides information on how a lawyer can help, questions to ask
when hiring a lawyer, legal aid resources, and attorney fees.
FindLaw's Guide to the U.S. Legal System explains what to expect when
you are involved in a lawsuit or criminal proceeding, how the court
systems work, a glossary of legal terms, and more.
The FindLaw survey uses a demographically balanced sample of 1000
American adults with a margin of error of plus-or-minus 3 percent.
Note to editors: Full survey results are available upon request.
CONTACT Michelle Croteau FindLaw 651-687-5330 michelle.croteau@thomsonreuters.com
SOURCE FindLaw.com
-0- 04/21/2014
/Web Site: http://www.findlaw.com
CO: FindLaw.com
ST: Minnesota
IN: FIN ITE WEB
SU: FEA SVY
PRN
-- AQ08461 --
0000 04/21/2014 09:20:00 EDT http://www.prnewswire.com
Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
