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FindLaw Company Background

FindLaw.com is the most popular source for free legal information on the internet. FindLaw also provides services for lawyers, businesses, and individuals.

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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw’s team of legal writers and attorneys and in accordance with our editorial standards.

FindLaw’s Creation and Evolution

Online innovations often start with little more than a good idea. We are no different. FindLaw began in Silicon Valley in 1995, when our founders compiled a list of attorney resources for a group of law librarians in Northern California. The response to this idea was so positive that they decided to post the information online. FindLaw was born.

Formally launched on January 9, 1996, FindLaw.com soon offered a mix of resources for attorneys and consumers alike, including cases, statutes, legal news, a lawyer directory, an online career center, and community-oriented tools such as mailing lists and message boards. Among them was the famous “Greedy Associates,” which lives on as a popular blog. The website rapidly developed into the leading legal information site on the internet.

Today, FindLaw.com remains the most popular site for free legal information on the internet, with more than six million visitors each month and the largest online lawyer directory available.

FindLaw’s law firm marketing solutions also dominate with award-winning websites, online video, online attorney profiles, search engine marketing, and internet advertising. Awards include numerous Webbys, and inclusions on lists from “Top 500 U.S. Websites” to the ABA Blawg 100.

In 2010, the company continued to expand through the addition of Super Lawyers, and again in 2013 with LawInfo and Abogado.com. In 2024, FindLaw was acquired by parent company Internet Brands. It joined Martindale-Hubbell, Avvo, Nolo, and other top legal websites to continue offering the most robust free legal information on the web, and to connect consumers with local lawyers ready to help.

FindLaw’s History and Timeline

FindLaw.com has been a top legal information website for the public since January 1996. FindLaw has evolved over the years from a list of lawyer resources to a business that provides a comprehensive attorney directory, online marketing for lawyers, do-it-yourself forms and services, free access to laws and court cases, and thousands of pages of informational content. 

Below is a list of the major milestones in FindLaw’s history. Notable events include our mergers, acquisitions, awards, accolades, and more.

2026

  • FindLaw has updated its services to address the modern “legal consumer journey” with AI Search Integration. The platform emphasizes AI-driven search and Google trust signals to help consumers evaluate attorneys quickly.

2025

2024

  • FindLaw joins Internet Brands, working with other top legal brands (Nolo, Avvo, Martindale-Hubbell, and others) to bring legal access and information to consumers and legal professionals across the United States.
  • FindLaw is named an Outstanding Website Developer by the Web Marketing Association for winning 5 WebAwards.

2023

  • FindLaw for Legal Professionals gets a refresh. It remains a primary tool for free case law access to Supreme Court decisions and summaries of state and federal court opinions.
  • FindLaw is named an Outstanding Website Developer by the Web Marketing Association for winning 6 WebAwards.

2022

2021

  • Abogado.com reaches 1 million monthly visitors.
  • LawInfo.com publishes a site redesign.
  • FindLaw streamlines its website design, SEO, and directory services for law firms built on WordPress platforms.

2020

2019

2016

  • FindLaw becomes a Google AdWords Premium SMB Partner.

2015

  • FindLaw launches significant changes to its website suite offerings, including Social Pro, Digital Marketing Advantage, and Integrated Marketing Solutions.
  • FindLaw launches Pay-Per-Click advertisements.

2013

2012

  • FindLaw.com reaches the new milestone of six million monthly visits.
  • FindLaw is named the number one consumer legal website.
  • FindLaw introduces Contact Advisor.
  • FindLaw partners with Google and launches PPC advertising.

2011

  • FindLaw is the number one consumer legal website.
  • FindLaw launches Social Media Advance product for law firms.
  • FindLaw wins two web awards.
  • FindLaw launches WebChat Connect product for law firms.
  • FindLaw launches Legal Pulse.

2010

  • FindLaw.com is the number one online lawyer directory.
  • Thomson Reuters acquires Super Lawyers.
  • FindLaw launches Blog Services for law firms.
  • FindLaw launches FindLaw UK.
  • FindLaw launches FirmSites in the UK.
  • FindLaw launches FindLaw Mobile.

2009

2008

  • FindLaw launches online video products.
  • FindLaw wins five WebAwards.
  • FindLaw pioneers Case Summary RSS Feeds.

2007

2006

  • FindLaw launches LegalConnection.
  • FindLaw launches FirmSite en Español.
  • FindLaw wins the Web Award for Best Legal Website.

2005

  • FindLaw named one of 50 Coolest Websites of 2005 by Time.com.
  • FindLaw.com is the most visited legal site, with 3.7 million monthly visits.
  • FindLaw.com named “Best Legal Website” in the 9th annual Webby Awards.
  • FindLaw.com launches new online legal centers for immigration law, family law, real estate law, and small business.

2004

2003

  • FindLaw selected “The Best of Reference” by the New York Public Library.
  • FindLaw ranked 411 most trafficked U.S. website.
  • FindLaw begins to provide Wall Street Journal Online with law-related resources and tools.

2002

  • FindLaw joins forces with Yahoo!
  • FindLaw e-newsletter distribution reaches five million per month.
  • FindLaw surpasses 50 million monthly page views.
  • FindLaw ranked in top 500 U.S. websites.

2001

2000

  • FindLaw develops partnerships to share content with The New York Times, The Washington Post, CNN Interactive, Earthlink, Quicken, USA Today and more.
  • FindLaw acquires Infirmation.com.
  • FindLaw is the first legal portal to provide personalization with ‘My FindLaw.’
  • FindLaw unveils “Writ,” first e-zine about the law (since sunsetted).
  • FindLaw wins “People’s Voice” award for Best Politics & Law Website at the Webby Awards 2000.
  • FindLaw launches massive lawyer and law firm directory.

1999

  • FindLaw nominated for 1999 Webby Award.
  • FindLaw wins the gold medal for “Best Legal Website” for the third year in a row.
  • FindLaw acquires lawyermarketing.com and launches FindLaw Lawyer Marketing.
  • FindLaw offers free access to legal briefs.

1998

  • FindLaw and WhoWhere? launch JusticeMail — free email for the legal community (since sunsetted).

1997

  • FindLaw Launches LegalMinds.

1996

  • FindLaw.com is launched.
  • FindLaw Announces Interactive Online CLE.

1995

  • Two attorneys compile a list of Internet resources for a group of California law librarians, then decide to post the information on the Internet.

About the FindLaw.com Team

As the leading online destination for free legal information, FindLaw.com works hard to bring consumers and attorneys relevant legal news, information, and resources. Whether you are a consumer looking for an attorney, a DIY form, or some information to better understand a legal issue, FindLaw wants to be the trusted source you turn to for answers.

We use different teams and channels to provide the right resources for you. Below is a description of our key teams and how they work.

FindLaw.com Writers and Editors

A dedicated team of writers and editors creates the content for Learn About the Law, FindLaw for Legal Professionals, and FindLaw Legal Blogs. All of our writers are highly qualified and hold law degrees or have journalism backgrounds combined with legal experience.

We strive to provide accurate, up-to-date, and relevant information for both consumers and attorneys. We are proud of our quality standards and editorial practices. There is a lot of misinformation about the law online, so we know we must earn our readers’ trust by providing the most accurate information possible.

Our legal editors do not publish to the site without reviewing each blog post or article for both style and substance. We also follow best practices to make our online content accessible to the general reader while maintaining our accuracy in representing the state of the law, the legal system, and legal issues in the news.

FindLaw Awards and Recognition

Not only has FindLaw.com been recognized as a market leader in online legal information by evaluators such as Comscore, but our individual content efforts have been widely recognized as well.

Our blogs, case law, codes, and articles have been shared across social media by renowned commentators (New York Times legal expert Adam Liptak), authors (Margaret Atwood), journalists (Jeffrey Toobin, CNN; Sally Jenkins, Washington Post; Mark Knoller, CBS News), and even highlighted by pop culture icons like Stephen Colbert and Jon Oliver.

Our Legally Weird and Technologist blogs have been included for several years in the ABA Journal’s Blawg 100 list of top 100 legal blogs.

FindLaw’s Lawyer Directory

FindLaw.com is home to one of the largest online lawyer directories in the world. Featuring lawyers from all over the U.S. with expertise in 119 practice areas, our Directory guides readers to lawyers near them who can help resolve their legal issues.

Many lawyers featured in our Directory give free initial consultations, so even if you are not sure you need an attorney, we can help with the first steps you need to take in solving your legal problems without cost or commitment.

Our Directory has a ratings and reviews system. Any client can rate their experience with their attorney or firm, so prospective clients can feel confident they will get the legal representation best suited to their needs.

Do-It-Yourself Legal Forms

We educate on and link to DIY forms to help you quickly create a simple estate plan or form your business.

Please note that nothing on this site constitutes legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. For more, please read our disclaimer and terms of use.

Resources For Legal Professionals

FindLaw.com not only serves consumers of legal information, but we also serve the professional legal community. As one of the earliest providers of free online legal content, including case law from state and federal courts and statutes from nearly all 50 states, we are a trusted source for free research options in the legal community.

We also provide content to help lawyers learn more about their profession, as well as how to effectively run a law practice.

To support our audience working hard to run their own firms, we offer acclaimed legal marketing services.

FindLaw provides website, social, blogging, video, and chat marketing services, and much more. For information about our lawyer marketing business, please speak with our experts.

FindLaw Consumer Resources

FindLaw.com provides accessible legal information and news to help you understand the law, make informed decisions, and find experienced legal help. Quality legal information and resources don’t have to be confusing, expensive, or hard to find.

You can find free resources from the following channels:

  • Learn About the Law: Easy-to-read, informative articles on just about every legal topic you can imagine
  • Legal Blogs Network: Daily access to the latest legal news and the most interesting legal topics for both individuals and legal professionals
  • Lawyer Directory: A comprehensive searchable directory listing of qualified attorneys in your area who can help
  • FindLaw.com on Facebook: Platform for updates and peer-to-peer exchanges on current legal topics
  • Guide to Hiring an Attorney: Learn how to choose an attorney, prepare to meet with an attorney, understand legal fees, and work with your attorney
  • State Laws: Read about state-specific laws across dozens of popular legal topics
  • Subscribe to Our Newsletters: For weekly legal updates and legal news

You can also view the video below for an overview and welcome from our team:

 

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