A New York lawyer lost his false advertising case over Avvo Inc.'s rating system for lawyers.
Avvo runs an online directory of attorneys for prospective clients looking for legal help. Kevin Davis claims the company makes attorneys who pay the company for advertising look more qualified than nonpaying attorneys.
Paying attorneys, for example, receive a higher numerical “Avvo rating” than nonpaying attorneys, Davis said.
But the ratings are inherently subjective and count as opinions protected under the First Amendment and the New York State Constitution, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York ruled Dec. 19.
Avvo ...
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