Google is now rating plumbers and locksmiths in San Francisco, under the name Google Home Services. Will there be a Google Legal Services directory next?

Dan Jaffe, CEO of LawLytics, raises the point in his provocative article, Could Google Eat Avvo’s Lunch? -- referring to the online directory of attorneys.

"For plumbers, this approximates part of what Avvo does for lawyers. The consumer can see the plumbers' ratings, contact them directly, or send requests to up to three at a time. This appears to compete directly with Yelp, Angie's List, Pro.com and Amazon Home Services, among others.

Google has also rolled out this product for searches for “san francisco locksmiths”…

Dan continues, "If the legal community woke up tomorrow to searches like this coming up for “San Francisco lawyers” things could change very quickly. And what is to stop Google from ultimately venturing into professional services beyond plumbers and locksmiths?

So if the world wakes up one day to “Google Legal Services,” and those results start appearing above results from Avvo and other directories and rating services like Yelp, what advantages and staying power would those companies have? For Avvo, the answer might be troubling."

Click to read Dan's advice for lawyers in Could Google Eat Avvo’s Lunch?