Membership Rules

Membership Rules, Content Guidelines, Comment Board Rules, And Limitations & Warranties

I. Membership Rules

1. Engagements with Clients. In order to provide an optimal forum for attorneys and clients, LegalMatch California does not involve itself in or with the agreements between attorneys and clients or the representation of clients. Attorney, and not LegalMatch California, is solely responsible for assessing the integrity, honesty, and creditworthiness of all persons with whom Attorney communicates through the Program.
2. No Attorney-Client Relationship with LegalMatch California. LegalMatch California is not a law firm and cannot give legal advice to anyone. Any form of use of Program by a User is not intended to and will not create an attorney-client relationship between any person or entity and LegalMatch. In addition, no communication with LegalMatch California shall create an attorney-client relationship, such being expressly denied. LegalMatch California may, at times, provide assistance to Users in proposing or editing language of User submissions, and this service is in no way intended to constitute legal advice or the practice of law, but merely an aid in assisting such User in marketing the User’s information for the sole purpose of increasing the likelihood that clients and attorneys will locate each other more efficiently and effectively.
3. Attorney Submissions. Attorney is solely responsible for all information that they submit through the Program, including, but not limited to, the attorney advertisements, attorney profile and contact information, fee proposals, templates, and all other communications with potential clients, and for any such information that is inaccurate, defamatory, deceptive, misleading, or violates the law or any rules of ethics, in any respect.
4. Client User Submissions. Attorney is solely responsible to assess the credibility or trustworthiness of any and all information obtained through the use of the Program. The information that is submitted to the Program is provided by Users (both attorneys and lay persons), and LegalMatch California does not warrant the validity or accuracy of any such information. Attorney agrees that LegalMatch California has no duty to review communications made on or through the Program and that LegalMatch California cannot advise Attorney on the legality or advisability of any communication.
5. Conflict of Interest Checks. Attorney agrees to and shall be solely responsible for compliance with avoiding conflicts of interest, and to run conflict of interest check(s) as may be appropriate or required by law.
6. Program and User Information. Attorney agrees to keep all information obtained through the Program in strict confidence regardless of whether an attorney-client relationship is ever established by Attorney. Attorney further agrees to only use such information for purposes which are consistent with this Agreement. Attorney shall make all reasonable effort, and work with LegalMatch California, to defend against any effort by any third party, including by way of subpoena, to obtain such information.
7. Proprietary Rights; Assignment of Rights. Attorney acknowledges and agrees that content, including but not limited to text, software, music, sound, photographs, graphics, video, page layout, and design or other material contained in the Program or information presented through the Program is protected by copyrights, trademarks, service marks, patents, confidentiality, and other proprietary rights and laws. Attorney is permitted to use this material and information only as expressly authorized by LegalMatch California, and may not copy, reproduce, transmit, distribute, or create derivative works, of such content or information, without such express authorization. Attorney agrees that LegalMatch California shall own, and hereby assigns to LegalMatch California, the content, images, and copyright of the data provided by or regarding Attorney.
8. Use of LegalMatch California Trademarks and Logos. Attorney agrees to only use LegalMatch California logos, trademarks, service marks, the “Verified” LegalMatch California logo, trade dress, and other legends and marks in a manner expressly authorized by LegalMatch California in writing. When in doubt, please contact LegalMatch California Member Services at [email protected] for further guidance and information.
9. Account Designation and Password. Attorney will receive a password and account designation. Attorney shall not sell, assign or otherwise allow another to use or access the Attorney’s Program features, without the written consent of LegalMatch California, and shall take all reasonable precautions to prevent third-party access to such Program features. Attorney is responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of the password and account, and is responsible for all activities that occur under Attorney’s password or account. Attorney agrees to immediately notify LegalMatch California of any unauthorized use of Attorney’s password or account, or the event of any other breach of security.
10. Confidentiality of Program Features. Attorney acknowledges that LegalMatch California represents that certain Program features and other aspects of the Program and the underlying technology, (past, current, and to-be-developed), may constitute confidential business information of LegalMatch California and which may be marked accordingly, and agrees that such information shall not be used or disclosed in any manner inconsistent with the Membership Agreement.

II. Content Guidelines

1. Purpose of Content Guidelines. These content guidelines are designed to promote the free flow of ideas and information and, at the same time, promote the purpose of the Program and maintain the integrity of its Users and that of LegalMatch California. Please use caution and common sense at all times when using the Program.
2. Removal of Improper Submissions. LegalMatch California reserves the right to remove from the system any submissions which may be brought to its attention, or which LegalMatch California finds, in its sole discretion, violate its content guidelines, may be in violation of the law, or otherwise negatively impact the purpose of the Program, or the integrity of its Users or that of LegalMatch California. LegalMatch does not actively monitor the content of User submissions, but will investigate any complaints that it believes may have merit.
3. Attorney agrees to refrain from using the Program for the following activities:
   1. Using the Program for any purpose other than to promote Attorney services;
   2. Using the Program for other illegal activities, displaying harassing, abusive, threatening, harmful, vulgar, obscene, or tortuous material or invading other’s privacy;
   3. Providing material that is grossly offensive to the online community, including blatant expressions of bigotry, prejudice, racism, hatred, or profanity;
   4. Promoting or providing instructional information about illegal activities, or promoting physical harm or injury against any group or individual;
   5. Defaming any person or group;
   6. Displaying material that exploits children under 18 years of age;
   7. Violating the rights of another, including but not limited to the intellectual property rights of another. Using the Program for acts of copyright, trademark, patent, trade secret or other intellectual property infringement, including but not limited to offering pirated computer programs or links to such programs, information used to circumvent manufacturer-installed copy-protect devices, including serial or registration numbers for software programs, or any type of cracker utilities (this also includes files which are solely intended for game emulation);
   8. Violating Internet standards or any rules posted on the site;
   9. Interfering with or disrupting the Program or servers or networks connected to the Program Transmitting “junk mail”, “spam”, “chain letters” or unsolicited mass distribution of email;
   10. Espousing any political opinions or information;
   11. Engaging in any sparring or competitive fighting of any kind with Users or guests of the Program, including between Attorneys; or
   12. Any use of the Program that creates the appearance of impropriety or otherwise may cast any negative light upon any User or guest of the Program, or LegalMatch California or its mission.

III. Comment Board Rules

1. Posting of Comments By Attorneys. Attorneys may only post comments as permitted by LegalMatch California; may not induce others to post comments, positive or negative, about themselves or any other attorney; and may not encourage or discourage anyone from posting a comment on the Comment Board.
2. Improper Commentary by Client User. If Attorney believes that a User submitted inaccurate or misleading commentary, Attorney’s sole recourse with respect to LegalMatch California and the Program is to submit a rebuttal to the comments provided by the User. The Comment Board with the User’s comments will contain a link to the Attorney’s statement in rebuttal.
3. Status of Comments; Removal of Comments. The opinions and views expressed by client Users do not reflect those of LegalMatch California. Client User comments are not reviewed or monitored in any way prior to being posted on the Comment Board. The information collected in this regard and posted on the Comment Board is collected without LegalMatch performing any screening of such comments. Comments will only be removed if they clearly violate LegalMatch California’s then-current Content Guidelines or Comment Board Rules.

IV. Limitations & Warranties

1. Attorney expressly agrees that use of the program is at attorney’s sole risk. The program is provided on an “as is” and “as available” basis. LegalMatch California expressly disclaims all warranties of any kind, whether express or implied, including, but not limited to the implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose and non-infringement. LegalMatch California makes no warranty that the program will meet attorney’s requirements, that the program will be uninterrupted, timely, secure, or error-free; nor does LegalMatch California make any warranty as to the results that may be obtained from the use of the program or as to the accuracy or reliability of any information obtained through the program or that defects in the software will be corrected. LegalMatch California makes no warranty regarding any goods or services purchased or information obtained through the program or any transactions entered into through the program. No advice or information, whether oral or written, obtained by attorney from LegalMatch California shall create any warranty not expressly stated herein.
2. Attorney agrees that LegalMatch California shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, special or consequential damages, resulting from the use or the inability to use the program or for cost of procurement of substitute goods or services, or resulting from any goods or services purchased or obtained or messages received or transactions entered into through or from the program, or resulting from unauthorized access to or alteration of attorney’s transmissions or data, including but not limited to, damages for loss of profits, use, data or other intangible, even if LegalMatch California has been advised of the possibility of such damages. Attorney further agrees that LegalMatch California shall not be liable for any damages arising from interruption, suspension or termination of the program, for any loss of data resulting from accidental or deliberate deletion, network or system outages, file corruption or any other reasons, including but not limited to direct, indirect, incidental, special consequential or exemplary damages, whether such interruption, suspension or termination was justified or not, negligent or intentional, inadvertent or advertent.