My Two Cents – What to do about a negative online review – Nothing!

How to deal with Negative Online Reviews?

No one likes a negative online review.  The ABA has offered some guidance on how to handle them.  They released Formal Opinion 496.  I strongly agree with its rule of thumb - As a best practice, lawyers should consider not responding to a negative post or review, because doing so may draw more attention to it and invite further response from an already unhappy critic.  Why add fuel to the flame when you cannot fully and ethically respond.

 If you do, and IMHO I wouldn't respond to a negative review, the ABA emphasizes that an attorney cannot reveal confidential information in a response.  Remember, I am not here to offer legal advice.  This is my opinion.  If you are going to respond to an online review, I would talk with an ethics attorney before you do.  But I'm sure you are asking yourself, why the editorial comment.

There is no magical tech-savvy way to eliminate these reviews.  You can work on getting more positive reviews from happy clients.  Make sure you follow your bar's ethics standards about soliciting and posting reviews.  It is bad enough lawyers have to deal with negative reviews that they likely cannot respond to.  You don't want to give the bar a reason to come after you while attempting to defend yourself.

MTC.