Our Support
Law firms and attorneys operate in a high-stakes perception environment. Clients entrust them with life-altering issues, from criminal charges to family disputes. Today, however, that trust can be undermined by online “verdicts” – ratings, blogs, and comments. Unhappy clients (or even competitors) might post negative reviews on Avvo, Google, or Yelp. A single harsh review – even from an anonymous source – can make future clients wary. And in law, as onlookers often caution, a combative public reaction only worsens the damage.
Industry Pain Points
- Negative Online Reviews: Many attorneys find it hard to get good reviews (clients often value confidentiality over praise). When a bad review appears, it spreads alarm: it’s hard to find rebuttal, since private details can’t be discussed. As one guide notes, “online reviews are today’s word-of-mouth recommendations” – making a single negative attorney review particularly troublesome.
- Ethical Boundaries: Lawyers must tread carefully. They cannot offer incentives for deleting a review, nor can they publicly dispute facts about a client (to protect attorney-client privilege). Even wanting to respond “I’ve never worked with you” can risk violating confidentiality rules.
- Defamation and Scandal: Beyond clients, sometimes law firms are caught up in larger news (e.g. a partner’s ethical violation). Media coverage of any misconduct or even just unfavorable case outcomes can harm the firm’s prestige.
- Competition and Lead Generation: Many law firms rely on referrals and online research. If search results emphasize negative stories (like a dismissed lawsuit or a news article about a disciplinary hearing), it can kill inbound client leads.
Net Reputation Global Solutions
- Reputation Audit & Strategy: We analyze your firm’s entire digital footprint: the Google searches for your name and practice areas, review site listings, and any press. This reveals where trust issues may hide. Then Net Reputation Global crafts a strategy to push your strengths forward – think thought leadership, client testimonials (legal marketing-compliant), and positive media mentions.
- SEO & Content for Trust: Net Reputation Global helps attorneys publish articles or blog posts on general legal topics (avoiding client specifics). For example, a family law firm might write about “5 Common Myths in Child Custody Cases,” demonstrating expertise without client details. These pieces improve SEO by associating the firm’s name with helpful, trustworthy content. We also encourage profiles on industry sites and linking awards/case wins (while respecting court confidentiality) to preemptively dominate search results ahead of any negatives.
- Review Management: If a negative review appears, Net Reputation Global advises on a careful approach. Options include encouraging the client to remove it by resolving their issue offline (but never as a condition of settlement, which is unethical). For issues that violate site rules (harassment, defamation), Net Reputation Global can guide flagging for removal on platforms that allow it. When no removal is possible, we might quietly reach out to the reviewer (as ethics allow) to clarify any misunderstanding.
- Public Relations: We arrange media coverage on non-sensitive topics to build goodwill. For instance, highlighting pro bono cases, community seminars, or legal awards can create positive press. These stories serve as counter-narratives when anyone looks up your firm. If the media are writing about a negative aspect, Net Reputation Global may negotiate issuing a balanced statement through official channels or provide a follow-up story that includes your perspective in a factual way.
- Ethical Framework: Net Reputation Global is fully versed in legal ethics rules around advertising and communication. We ensure all reputation work abides by your state bar guidelines. This includes careful wording in any rebuttal or public statement. For example, any response to a review will focus on how the firm strives to serve clients, without confirming any client identity (to stay HIPAA-for-legal analogy compliant).
Case Study – Smear Turned Ally
A small litigation firm found an anonymous one-star review claiming malpractice. The lawyer considered an angry reply, but Net Reputation Global advised patience. Instead, we orchestrated a content campaign highlighting client successes (with permission) and community involvement. We also supported the lawyer in filing a formal complaint with the review site (as a possible fake review). In the end, the lone negative review faded in visibility, and the firm’s renewed focus on community engagement earned it two new five-star reviews from satisfied clients. The firm emerged more visible for good, not bad, reasons.
Key Insight
Handle negativity with care. As Mark Palmer notes about online reviews, “when our abilities are challenged, we may want to react impulsively,” but acting on that impulse can backfire. Net Reputation Global’s veteran team ensures your responses are measured and strategic. With our help, your firm will not only “weather any storm,” but also solidify its standing – reassuring judges, juries and clients that your reputation is built on competence and integrity, not just on online ratings.
