Darsky v. Avvo settled out of court; validates principle that Avvo can publish consumer-interest content without consent
Seattle, Wash — Plaintiff drops case in Avvo publicity rights suit
Avvo, the leading legal marketplace connecting lawyers with consumers, has settled a putative class action suit with the plaintiff agreeing to dismiss the case with prejudice and pay Avvo’s legal fees. In Darsky v. Avvo, plaintiff Aaron H. Darsky, a litigator with the Law Offices of Eric L. Lifschitz, claimed that by using attorneys’ names and likenesses on its website, Avvo was in violation of California rights of publicity and unfair competition laws.
Avvo brought a motion to strike the complaint under California’s anti-SLAPP law, which provides for the mandatory payment of the defendant’s attorney fees when frivolous lawsuits designed to suppress free speech rights are filed. The court’s decision on that motion was still pending at the time of the settlement.
“This is a vindication of the principle that companies like Avvo have the right to publish freely and without consent, which is an essential component of our freedom of press,” said Avvo Chief Legal Officer Josh King. “We see this settlement as validation of the value of the Avvo directory for transparency and openness in the legal profession.”
The case is Aaron H. Darsky v. Avvo Inc., case number 3:15-cv-05495, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. For additional information about Avvo, visit www.avvo.com.
About Avvo, Inc.
Avvo helps people find and connect with the right lawyer through industry leading content, tools and services. Founded in 2006 in Seattle, Avvo provides transparent information about attorneys, with Avvo-rated profiles for 97% of practicing lawyers in the United States. A free Q&A forum with more than 8 million questions and answers and on-demand legal services that provide professional counsel for a fixed cost, make legal faster and easier. For more information on how Avvo helps people through legal issues from research to resolution, visit www.avvo.com.
