LexisNexis today unveiled a new version of its consumer legal portal lawyers.com. An announcement said the site now has a more robust search engine for conducting searches for attorneys listed in the Martindale-Hubbell database. The new search tools include a “free text” query that allows more flexible searching by keywords, a “pick list” that enables users to select multiple criteria when conducting attorney searches, and the ability to refine search results with more narrow secondary searches.

This new search tool also creates new advertising opportunities for lawyers, the announcement said.

“One powerful new capability that the enhanced database search engine creates is a variety of online sponsorship opportunities for law firms in which they can make their credentials more accessible to consumers seeking an attorney according to various keywords, not just specific areas of practice. For example, law firms can purchase keyword paid placements for common litigation terms and improve the chances that a link to their firms’ listing will appear as a sponsored result alongside the user’s directory search results.”

Another change is that law firms are now able to add lawyer photographs and law firm logos to their online listings.

Photo of Bob Ambrogi Bob Ambrogi

Bob is a lawyer, veteran legal journalist, and award-winning blogger and podcaster. In 2011, he was named to the inaugural Fastcase 50, honoring “the law’s smartest, most courageous innovators, techies, visionaries and leaders.” Earlier in his career, he was editor-in-chief of several legal publications, including The National Law Journal, and editorial director of ALM’s Litigation Services Division.