Recession Far From Over, Says Legal Directory Avvo's Consumer Data
Financial hardship and recession-related bankruptcy, employment and real estate issues were among the most-searched legal topics in 2009, says online lawyer-rating website Avvo.
The legal directory, which released its 2009 consumer usage data today, says the top inquiries posted on Avvo Answers, the site’s question-and-answer forum, dealt directly with the struggling economy, which indicates the road to recovery is still a long one.
“Despite stories of economic rebound and forecasted financial growth, at Avvo we are still seeing dramatic increases in the number [of] people seeking help for money-related issues,” CEO Mark Britton said in a press release.
“Whether it’s asking questions or hiring lawyers for troubling issues such as collecting unemployment, handling a foreclosure summons or dealing with burglary charges—Main Street is still struggling.”
The data, which was taken from Avvo activity over the course of the past year, showed an 85 percent increase in employment-related page views, a 60 percent boost in real estate traffic, and a nearly 50 percent jump in the number of people searching on foreclosure-related issues. Divorce and family law queries were up 58 percent. Criminal law activities topped the most-searched terms of the year.
