How to Collect and Use Client Testimonials for a Law Firm (Without Breaching Privilege)

21 August 2026·4 min read

Quick answer: Yes — law firms can use client testimonials. Lawyers aren't AHPRA-regulated, so the blanket “no testimonials” rule that applies to health practitioners doesn't apply to you. But client legal privilege and confidentiality always apply, and some states restrict testimonials referencing a matter's outcome. Collect testimonials about the experience, get written consent, and check your own state's rules before publishing. ✨

Here's a pattern we see constantly: a law firm has clients who'd happily sing their praises, and the firm publishes nothing. Somewhere along the way, “lawyers can't use testimonials” became gospel — borrowed from AHPRA's rules for health practitioners and applied to a profession they were never written for. We love a cautious lawyer 💖, but caution shouldn't mean silence. It should mean doing testimonials properly. Done well, they're one of the most persuasive trust signals your website can carry, because prospective clients are choosing you at a genuinely stressful moment, and they want to hear from someone who's been there.

What most law firms get wrong

Before the “how,” a quick look at the “how not to.” Most testimonial mistakes aren't firms breaking rules — they're firms so worried about breaking rules that they publish nothing, or publish something risky without realising it.

Never asking, out of caution, leaving genuine praise sitting unused in inboxes and texts
Asking generic questions like “how was our service?” instead of asking for a story
Publishing details that identify the matter, the settlement, or the other party
Skipping written consent, or accepting a verbal “sure, go ahead” as enough
Confusing a testimonial about the experience with a promise about results

Steal this: testimonial request + consent checklist

Send after the matter closes, once the dust has settled:

“Hi [name], now that things have wrapped up, we'd love to ask a favour. Would you be open to sharing a short testimonial about your experience with us? We're not after case details — just how it felt to be a client here: how we communicated, how supported you felt. We'll only ever publish what you approve first, and you can ask us to remove it at any time.”

Consent checklist — before you publish anything:

Written consent for publication (not just a verbal thanks)
Client has seen the exact final wording, not a paraphrase
No case outcome, settlement amount, or result mentioned
No details identifying the matter or other parties involved
Name/photo use confirmed separately (first name only if preferred)
Client knows they can request removal later

“Working with [Firm] during my separation, I finally didn't feel completely overwhelmed. They explained everything in plain English and always returned my calls the same day.” — Family law client

“What stood out was how responsive they were — a considered answer within hours, not days. It made a genuinely stressful dispute feel manageable.” — Commercial client

“They made a hard conversation about our family's future feel calm and unrushed. I never felt pushed toward a decision.” — Wills & estate client

The mechanics: timing, consent, and what stays out

When to ask: shortly after the matter concludes, never mid-matter and never while privilege is still live.

Consent: in writing, specific to publication, with the client seeing the final wording before it goes live.

What never goes in: case outcomes, settlement or award amounts, opposing party details, file numbers, or anything that could identify the matter.

Where to publish: a dedicated testimonials page, sprinkled through service pages, your Google Business Profile, and ads — with the same consent trail behind each one.

💡 An honest warning: A testimonial that reads like a case result — even written innocently by the client — can look like the firm guaranteeing outcomes, which is exactly what conduct rules (and your insurer) don't love. If a draft mentions “we won” or a dollar figure, it's fine to ask the client to focus on the experience instead. You're not editing their voice out of it; you're keeping everyone on the right side of the rules.

Mistakes to avoid

Publishing without a written consent trail you could produce if asked
Letting a client's draft go live word-for-word without checking for case details
Treating testimonials and Google reviews the same — reviews can't be pre-approved, so brief clients beforehand on what's appropriate to mention
Implying a guaranteed or typical result
Having no process for taking a testimonial down if a client asks
Assuming your state's rules match another state's

Frequently asked questions

Are law firms allowed to use client testimonials in Australia?
Generally yes — lawyers aren't AHPRA-regulated, so the restrictions that apply to health professionals don't apply to legal practitioners. However, solicitor advertising and conduct rules vary by state and territory, and some jurisdictions restrict testimonials that reference a matter's outcome. This article is general information, not legal advice — check your own state's legal profession conduct rules (or ask your law society) before publishing. Please note: general information, not legal advice — check current official guidance before relying on it.

Can I publish a testimonial that mentions a settlement amount?
We'd avoid it. Even where it isn't explicitly prohibited, referencing a specific outcome or amount risks implying a guarantee and breaching confidentiality. Keep testimonials focused on the experience, not the result.

Do I need written consent, or is a verbal okay enough?
Get it in writing, and have the client approve the exact final wording before it's published. It protects the client and gives you something to show if a complaint is ever raised.

What if a client wants their testimonial removed later?
Take it down promptly. Build this into your process from day one so it's a quick, no-drama request to honour.