Why Law Firms and Attorneys Get Suspended on Google
Legal professionals face heightened scrutiny on Google Business Profile due to the sensitive nature of legal services, strict advertising regulations, and Google's commitment to protecting users from misleading or unqualified legal representation. If your law firm or attorney profile has been suspended, understanding the specific reasons helps you address issues and get reinstated properly.
Common Suspension Reasons for Legal Professionals
1. Virtual Office or UPS Store Address
Many solo practitioners and small law firms use virtual offices, shared workspaces, or mail forwarding services for their business address. Google considers most of these arrangements ineligible for GBP listings.
The violation: Your law firm is listed at a virtual office location, coworking space where you don't have a dedicated presence, or a UPS Store/mail box service.
Google's reasoning: Google wants to ensure clients can visit legitimate business locations and that multiple unrelated businesses aren't sharing the same address on GBP.
How to fix: If you have a legitimate physical office where clients can visit, document it with a lease agreement, utility bills, and photos showing your firm's signage. If you're purely virtual and meet clients elsewhere, consider setting up as a Service Area Business (SAB) with your home office address (hidden from public view), provided you have proper documentation.
2. Multiple Lawyers Sharing One Address
Law firms with multiple attorneys sometimes create separate GBP listings for each attorney at the same address. This violates Google's duplicate listing policies unless each attorney has a truly separate office suite.
The violation: You have multiple profiles for different attorneys all showing the same business address without clear differentiation.
Google's reasoning: Each physical location should typically have one profile. Multiple professionals at one location should be listed under the firm's profile.
How to fix: Consolidate into one law firm profile listing all attorneys. If attorneys genuinely operate independent practices from separate suites in the same building, ensure each has a unique suite number and separate business documentation.
3. Misleading or Keyword-Stuffed Business Names
Many law firms add practice areas or marketing phrases to their business name to improve search visibility. This violates Google's naming guidelines.
Common violations:
- "Smith & Associates - Personal Injury Lawyers"
- "Johnson Law Firm | DUI Defense | Criminal Law"
- "The Best Family Law Attorney in Miami"
- "ABC Legal Services - 24/7 Free Consultation"
Google's reasoning: Business names should reflect your actual registered business name, not be marketing slogans.
How to fix: Use your law firm's legal name exactly as registered with your state bar association and business registration. You can mention practice areas in your business description instead.
4. Unlicensed or Disbarred Attorney Listings
Google may suspend profiles if it detects that an attorney is not properly licensed in the jurisdiction where they're offering services or has been disbarred.
The violation: You're advertising legal services in a state where you're not licensed, or your bar membership has lapsed or been suspended.
Google's reasoning: Google aims to protect users from unqualified or fraudulent legal representation.
How to fix: Ensure your state bar license is active and in good standing. Only list locations where you're licensed to practice. During reinstatement, you may need to provide proof of your bar membership.
5. Lead Generation or Referral Services
Some legal marketing companies create GBP listings that appear to be law firms but are actually lead generation services that refer cases to attorneys for a fee. Google prohibits these practices.
The violation: Your profile represents a lead generation service, call center, or referral network rather than an actual law firm.
Google's reasoning: Google wants users to connect directly with the businesses providing services, not middlemen.
How to fix: If you're a legitimate law firm, clearly document your firm's operations. If you're a referral service, GBP is not appropriate for your business model.
6. Inconsistent NAP (Name, Address, Phone)
Legal directories, bar association listings, and law firm websites often have outdated or inconsistent information. When Google finds conflicting information, it may suspend your profile pending verification.
The violation: Your business name, address, or phone number varies across different online sources, making Google question which information is correct.
Google's reasoning: Consistent information helps users contact businesses accurately and helps Google verify legitimacy.
How to fix: Audit your information across major legal directories (Avvo, Justia, Martindale-Hubbell, FindLaw, etc.), your state bar profile, and your website. Update everything to match exactly.
Legal Industry-Specific Challenges
Bar Association Requirements
Law firms must balance Google's guidelines with their state bar association's advertising rules. Some bar associations have specific requirements about how attorneys advertise their services.
Best practice: Review your state bar's advertising rules to ensure your GBP profile complies. When in doubt, be conservative—stick to factual information about your practice without making claims about being "the best" or guaranteeing outcomes.
Practice Area Restrictions
Some attorneys list themselves under multiple practice areas or claim expertise in areas where they're not genuinely experienced. While this isn't always a direct Google guideline violation, it can contribute to suspension if combined with other issues.
Best practice: List only practice areas where you actively take cases. Be specific rather than trying to be a generalist if you specialize.
Multi-State Licensing
Attorneys licensed in multiple states face challenges deciding which location(s) to list and how to handle their multi-state practice.
Best practice: Create separate profiles for each physical office location where you maintain a legitimate presence. Don't create profiles in states where you're licensed but don't maintain an office.
Documentation You'll Need for Reinstatement
When appealing a law firm suspension, gather comprehensive documentation proving your firm's legitimacy:
Bar Licensing:
- Current bar license for each attorney listed
- Certificate of good standing from your state bar
- License numbers that can be verified online
Business Registration:
- Articles of incorporation or LLC formation documents
- DBA registration (if applicable)
- Business license from your city/county
Physical Location Proof:
- Office lease agreement showing your firm name
- Utility bills (electric, gas, water) in your business name at your office address
- Photos of your office exterior with firm signage
- Photos of your office interior showing legal work environment
- Professional liability insurance listing your office address
Professional Credentials:
- State bar association profile (screenshot)
- Professional website
- Examples of client engagement letters or retainer agreements (with client information redacted)
How to Appeal Your Law Firm Suspension
Step 1: Identify the Specific Violation
Review your profile carefully against Google's guidelines. For legal professionals, common issues include:
- Virtual office or questionable business address
- Keywords or marketing language in business name
- Duplicate listings for multiple attorneys
- Inconsistent information across online sources
- Bar licensing issues
Step 2: Correct All Violations
Before appealing, fix every issue:
- Change your business name to your legal registered name
- Remove any duplicate listings (mark them as closed/duplicate)
- Hide your address if you're an SAB with no client-facing office
- Update your information consistently across all online directories
- Verify your bar license is active
Step 3: Prepare Your Appeal
Write a clear, professional appeal that:
- States what violation occurred
- Explains how you've fixed it
- Provides supporting documentation
- Demonstrates your law firm is legitimate and complies with all guidelines
Example appeal: "My law firm profile was suspended due to having multiple attorney listings at the same business address. I have consolidated all attorneys under our main firm profile and marked duplicate listings as closed. I have attached our firm's business license, my active bar license showing good standing, our office lease, and utility bill proving we operate from this location. Our firm has served clients in [city] for [X years] and maintains proper state bar membership and professional liability insurance. Please review our documentation and reinstate our profile."
Step 4: Submit Documentation
Attach all relevant documents:
- Bar license(s)
- Business registration
- Utility bills or lease agreement
- Photos of your office
- Professional liability insurance
Step 5: Follow Up Appropriately
Google typically responds within 3-5 business days, though complex cases may take up to 2 weeks. If you haven't heard back after 14 days, follow up through Google Business Profile support channels.
Common Mistakes Legal Professionals Make
1. Using Marketing Language in Appeals
Some attorneys write appeals that sound like marketing material rather than straightforward explanations.
Solution: Keep your appeal factual and professional. Avoid marketing language or making claims about being "the top" or "best" attorney.
2. Incomplete Bar Verification
Many attorneys forget to include proof of their bar license or assume Google will look it up.
Solution: Always include a copy of your bar license and a link to your state bar profile where your license can be verified.
3. Creating New Profiles After Suspension
After suspension, some attorneys try to create new profiles under slightly different names or addresses. This usually results in immediate re-suspension and can lead to permanent bans.
Solution: Always appeal your original profile rather than trying to circumvent the suspension.
4. Ignoring Inconsistent Citations
Many law firms have outdated information on legal directories from years ago that contradicts their current GBP listing.
Solution: Before appealing, update your information on all major legal directories to match your GBP profile exactly.
Preventing Future Suspensions
Maintain Accurate Information
Keep your profile updated with current information. If you move offices, update your address immediately. If you change phone numbers, update everywhere consistently.
Follow Bar Advertising Rules
Ensure your GBP profile complies with your state bar's advertising regulations. When in doubt, consult your state bar's ethics hotline.
Keep One Profile Per Location
If your firm has multiple physical offices, each location can have its own profile. But maintain only one profile per location—don't create separate profiles for individual attorneys at the same address.
Document Everything
Keep current documentation accessible:
- Bar licenses (renewed annually in most states)
- Business licenses
- Office lease or utility bills
- Professional liability insurance
Monitor Your Profile
Check your Google Business Profile weekly for any warnings, verification requests, or unusual activity. Address issues immediately.
Getting Professional Help
Law firm suspensions can be complex, especially when dealing with multi-attorney firms, multiple locations, or cases involving bar licensing questions. Professional help can expedite reinstatement and ensure compliance.
When to seek help:
- Multiple appeal denials
- Complex firm structure (multiple attorneys/locations)
- Uncertainty about which violations apply
- Need to get reinstated quickly to maintain client visibility
Our team has extensive experience helping legal professionals navigate Google Business Profile suspensions while ensuring compliance with both Google guidelines and state bar advertising rules.