Judge rules in favor of Avvo's online rankings

Judge rules in favor of Avvo's online rankings, Seattle P-I, Dec. 19, 2007. Judge Robert Lasnik (W.D. Wash.) yesterday dismissed the case by lawyers against Avvo.com, saying the rationgs are opinions protected by the first amendment.

"To the extent that their lawsuit has focused a spotlight on how ludicrous the rating of attorneys (and judges) has become, more power to them. To the extent that they seek to prevent the dissemination of opinions regarding attorneys and judges, however, the First Amendment precludes their cause of action," Lasnik wrote.

Lasnik also questioned why Browne would use his rating as a "Super Lawyer" by Washington Law & Politics magazine as evidence against his sub-par Avvo rating, noting that the court did not want to determine if one system was better than the other.

The 10-page order is here.