Terms of Service

For Attorneys
Last Updated: May 17th, 2024

‍These Terms of Service are a legally binding contract between you and Belva, Inc., a Delaware corporation, including its successors and assigns, doing business as LawGoat (“LawGoat”).  Your access and use of LawGoat’s websites (including www.lawgoat.com) (the “Websites”) and products and services (collectively, “Services”) are subject to the terms and conditions below.  By accessing and using the Websites and Services, you accept all terms and conditions herein.  If you do not agree to these Terms of Service, you may not access or use LawGoat’s Websites or Services.  

1.  Licensed Attorneys.  These Terms of Service apply to attorneys who subscribe to and use LawGoat’s Websites and Services to connect with Potential Clients (as defined below).  As used herein, “Client” means a Potential Client with whom you interact with on the site and/or enter into an attorney-client relationship.  You represent and warrant that (i) you are licensed to practice law and in good standing in all applicable jurisdictions in which you will provide legal advice and services to Clients; (ii) you have all necessary skills and competence to provide such legal advice and services to Clients in accordance with the highest standards of the legal profession; and (iii) you will comply with all applicable laws, rules, and regulations, including but not limited to all ethical requirements and rules of professional conduct for attorneys.    

2. Purpose.  LawGoat provides Websites and Services that enable users (“Potential Clients”) to submit information to potentially secure an attorney for their legal needs.  Such information is shared with third-party attorneys who are subscribers to the LawGoat Services but who are not otherwise affiliated with LawGoat so that the Potential Clients and attorneys may communicate with each other and potentially enter into an attorney-client relationship.  LAWGOAT IS NOT A LAW FIRM AND DOES NOT PROVIDE ANY LEGAL ADVICE OR LEGAL SERVICES.  LawGoat does not guarantee that you will successfully enter into an attorney-client relationship with any Potential Clients.  LawGoat does not screen, evaluate, refer, or endorse any Potential Clients or attorneys.  LawGoat has no responsibility or liability for the quality or competence of the legal advice and services that attorneys provide to Clients, or the outcome of any legal matter.  Potential Clients and attorneys are solely responsible for deciding to enter into an attorney-client relationship.  Clients are solely responsible for paying for the legal advice and services provided by their attorneys.    

3. Accounts and User Requirements.  Attorneys must register an account to use the Services offered by LawGoat through the Websites and/or through other methods authorized by LawGoat.  You agree to provide accurate and complete information when registering for or using the Websites or Services, and to update and maintain such information.  You are prohibited from using or registering for the Websites or Services if you are under the age of eighteen (18). You are prohibited from using or registering for the Websites or Services if you are not licensed to practice law and in good standing in all applicable jurisdictions in which you will provide legal advice and services to Clients.  You are responsible for protecting the user names and passwords associated with your accounts with LawGoat.  You shall be liable for any and all uses of the Websites and Services through your accounts, even if such use is by a party other than you.  You agree to immediately notify LawGoat of any loss, compromise, or unauthorized use of your user names or passwords or any other breach of security with respect to your accounts.  In addition to all other rights and remedies, LawGoat may immediately suspend, restrict, or terminate and remove your account, including your access and use of the Websites and Services, if LawGoat has reason to believe that you have failed to comply with these requirements.

4. Fees and Payments.  LawGoat may charge fees to attorneys who subscribe to use the Services. The amount of LawGoat’s fees and charges may be disclosed on LawGoat’s Websites or otherwise in writing. You may be billed in advance on a recurring and period basis (such as monthly or annually) depending on the type of subscription plan you select when purchasing a subscription. You agree to timely pay all amounts due for the Services.  All amounts charged for the Services are non-refundable unless expressly agreed otherwise by LawGoat in writing.  Past-due amounts shall accrue interest at eighteen percent (18%) per annum or, if less, the maximum amount permitted by applicable law.  You shall be liable for all collection costs and expenses incurred by LawGoat, including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees.  LawGoat reserves the right to suspend, restrict, or terminate your use of any and all Services based on any past-due amounts.  You are responsible for any and all taxes with respect to your purchase and use of the Services, except for taxes on LawGoat’s net income.  All amounts due for Services are in United States Dollars unless otherwise indicated.  Compensation paid to LawGoat for the Services does not establish an affiliation, partnership, joint venture, or similar relationship between LawGoat and you.  LawGoat does not receive or share in any legal fees paid by Clients to their attorneys for legal advice and services. Subject to applicable law and as authorized by LawGoat’s agreements with you, LawGoat reserves the right to adjust its pricing and fees at any time.

5. Permitted Use and Use Restrictions.  You shall not access or use any Website or Service for any purpose other than as intended by LawGoat, as set forth in the description for each Service and these Terms of Service.  Your use of the Websites and Services must comply with all applicable laws, rules, and regulations.  In addition, it is a violation of these Terms of Service for you to:    

‍•   Send “spam,” “junk,” or similar unsolicited messages;
•  Send messages or distribute content that is unlawful, deceptive, misleading, false, counterfeit, stolen, threatening, harassing, abusive, obscene, pornographic, defamatory, racially or ethnically objectionable, or in violation of the personal privacy rights of another party;
• Impersonate, or attempt to impersonate, any party, falsify contact information, misrepresent a relationship with another party, including misrepresenting a relationship with LawGoat, or otherwise attempt to mislead others as to the identity of the sender or the origin of a message;
•  Distribute any content that may infringe the contractual, fiduciary, intellectual property or proprietary rights, or other rights of third parties, including trademark, copyright, or the right of publicity;
•  Resell, or attempt to resell, the Services;
• Use any device, software, or routine to interfere or attempt to interfere with the proper working of the Websites or Services;
•  Upload, post, e-mail, or distribute any content that contains software viruses, trap doors, hot keys, time bombs, or any other computer code designed to interrupt, destroy, or limit the functionality of any computer software or hardware or telecommunications equipment;
• Use the Websites or Services in any manner that could damage, impair, disable, or overburden the Websites or Services, interfere in any way with LawGoat’s rights, interfere in any way with any other user’s use and enjoyment of the Websites or Services, or otherwise infringe on any party’s rights;
•  Use the Websites or Services unreasonably, improperly, or in any manner detrimental to LawGoat;
• Use the Websites or Services for illegal purposes or in violation of any applicable laws, rules, or regulations; or
‍•  Assist or permit any other parties in engaging in any of the activities described above.  

6. User Content.  You are responsible for all content that you create and submit to the Websites and Services (“User Content”), and the consequences of its use or submission.  You are responsible for ensuring that all User Content that you transmit is accurate, truthful, up-to-date, complete, and lawful.  By submitting User Content to the Websites or Services (including feedback), you grant LawGoat a perpetual, irrevocable, worldwide, royalty-free, sublicensable (through multiple tiers) license to use, reproduce, cache, store, modify, publicly perform, publicly display, distribute and transmit such User Content for any business purpose, and waive any moral rights and publicity rights in such User Content.  We may preserve User Content and may also disclose User Content and its origin if required to do so by law or in the good faith belief that such preservation or disclosure is reasonably necessary to comply with legal process; enforce these Terms of Service; respond to claims that any User Content violates the rights of third parties; or protect the rights, property, or personal safety of other users, the public, and us.  If your User Content includes personal information or data of other individuals (“Personal Identifiable Information”), you represent and warrant that you have obtained all necessary rights and authorizations to use and submit such Personal Identifiable Information to the Websites and Services and that your use and submission of such Personal Identifiable Information complies with all applicable laws, rules, and regulations, including but not limited to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, as amended.  LawGoat shall have no responsibility or liability with respect to Personal Identifiable Information or similar User Content used or submitted in connection with the Websites and Services.  Pursuant to Section 10, you shall defend, indemnify, and save harmless LawGoat and the other Indemnified Parties (as defined below) against any and all claims, liabilities, judgments, damages, and costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) relating to or arising out of your use and submission of Personal Identifiable Information or similar User Content.    

7.  Usage Monitoring.  LawGoat shall not be responsible for pre-screening, policing, monitoring, or editing any User Content provided by you or any other user.  LawGoat shall have the right, but not the obligation, to monitor User Content and use of the Websites and Services to measure and improve its performance, for training purposes, for legal and regulatory requirements, to determine compliance with these Terms of Service and other applicable policies and procedures of LawGoat; and for other business purposes.  LawGoat shall have the right in its sole discretion to refuse to post or to remove any User Content that it believes to be in violation of these Terms of Service or which it finds to be otherwise objectionable for any reason, without any liability to you.  

8. Proprietary Rights.  LawGoat owns all intellectual property rights in the Websites and Services.  The “LawGoat” and “Belva” name and logo are the trademarks of LawGoat.  Unauthorized use of any LawGoat trademarks or other intellectual property are prohibited.  Without limiting the foregoing, you shall not (a) copy, reproduce, perform, or display LawGoat’s trademarks, service marks, names, or logos or the content, design, or layout of any Websites or Services, (b) rent, lease, loan, resell, or otherwise exploit or transfer the Websites or Services; (c) permit third parties to benefit from the use or functionality of the Websites or Services via a timesharing, service bureau, or other arrangement; (d) transfer any of the rights granted to you to use the Websites or Services; (e) reverse engineer, decompile, or disassemble the Websites or Services; (f) modify, or create derivative works based in whole or in part upon, the Websites or Services; (g) copy the Websites or Services or any associated documentation; or (h) remove any proprietary notices or labels on or in the Websites or Services.  

9. Violations.  You are solely responsible for ensuring that your use of the Websites and Services complies with these Terms of Service (including all applicable laws, rules, and regulations).  LawGoat retains the right, at its sole discretion, to determine whether or not your conduct is consistent with these Terms of Service.  LawGoat may immediately suspend, restrict, or terminate and remove your account, including your access and use of the Websites and Services, if LawGoat determines that you have violated these Terms of Service, including without limitation any breach of your representations and warranties in Section 1.  LawGoat reserves the right to seek all other remedies available at law and in equity for violations of these Terms of Service, including damages and obtaining preliminary and other injunctive relief and specific performance of these Terms of Service.  

10. Indemnification.  You shall defend, indemnify, and save harmless LawGoat, including LawGoat’s officers, directors, employees, affiliates, agents, and representatives (collectively, the “Indemnified Parties”), against any and all claims, liabilities, judgments, damages, and costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) incurred by the Indemnified Parties in connection with any action in law, equity, or otherwise, to which the Indemnified Parties may be a party, or may be threatened, by reason of your use of the Websites or Services and/or any breach of these Terms of Service.  You acknowledge and agree that LawGoat shall have the right, at your expense, to assume the exclusive defense and control of any matter otherwise subject to indemnification by you.  

11.  Changes to Services.  LawGoat reserves the right to change the prices, specifications, or options for LawGoat’s Services at any time without obligation.  You agree that LawGoat may limit your use of the Services, including without limitation the frequency of your use of the Services, and that LawGoat has no responsibility or liability for any unavailability or limitation on your use of the Services.  In addition, LawGoat reserves the right at any time to limit access to, modify, change, or discontinue the Services, or any part thereof, with or without notice.  LawGoat shall not be liable to you or to any other party for any modification, suspension, unavailability, or discontinuance of the Services.    

12. Disclosure.  LawGoat may make your identifiable information available to its employees and third parties with whom we contract.  In addition, LawGoat may provide aggregate statistics, unique identifiers, demographic, and other anonymous information about our users to advertisers, other service providers, and other third parties.  You acknowledge and agree that LawGoat may make such uses of information that you provide or that LawGoat collects.  While LawGoat is committed to protect your privacy, LawGoat does not guarantee that your communications, contact information, and other identifiable information will never be disclosed.  LawGoat does not accept any responsibility for accidental or inadvertent disclosure or unauthorized access.  E-mail submissions over the Internet may not be secure.  Please consider this fact before e-mailing any personal or confidential information.  

13. Links.  The Websites and Services may contain links to websites or services operated by other parties.  LawGoat has no control over such linked sites and is not responsible for the content or services available on any other sites linked to LawGoat’s Websites and Services.  Such links do not imply LawGoat’s endorsement of material on any other site, and LawGoat disclaims all liability with regard to your access to such linked sites.  LawGoat provides links to other sites as a convenience to users, and access to any other sites linked to the Websites or Services is at your own risk.  

14. NO WARRANTIES.  YOUR USE OF THE WEBSITES AND SERVICES IS AT YOUR SOLE RISK.  THE WEBSITES AND SERVICES ARE PROVIDED TO YOU ON AN “AS IS,” “AS AVAILABLE” BASIS WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, NON-INFRINGEMENT, DATA ACCURACY, SYSTEMS INTEGRATION, OR QUIET ENJOYMENT.  LAWGOAT MAKES NO WARRANTY AS TO THE COMPLETENESS, TIMELINESS, OR RELIABILITY OF THE WEBSITES OR SERVICES.  LAWGOAT MAKES NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES THAT USE OF THE WEBSITES OR SERVICES WILL BE UNINTERRUPTED, ERROR-FREE, OR COMPLETELY SECURE.  YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR VERIFYING ANY AND ALL INFORMATION INCLUDED IN OR WITH THE WEBSITES OR SERVICES BEFORE RELYING ON IT. YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR TAKING ALL NECESSARY PRECAUTIONS TO ENSURE THAT ANY DATA, CONTENT, OR OTHER MATERIALS THAT YOU MAY OBTAIN FROM THE WEBSITES OR SERVICES ARE FREE OF VIRUSES AND OTHER POTENTIALLY HARMFUL DEVICES.  

15. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY.  LAWGOAT DISCLAIMS ALL LIABILITY, WHETHER BASED IN CONTRACT, TORT, NEGLIGENCE, STRICT LIABILITY, BY STATUTE, OR OTHERWISE, FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE, OR SPECIAL DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO YOUR ACCESS AND USE OF THE WEBSITES AND SERVICES, EVEN IF WE HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO RELIANCE BY ANY PARTY ON THE WEBSITES AND SERVICES; LOST DATA; OR DELAYS, BREAKDOWNS, OR INTERRUPTIONS IN YOUR USE OF THE WEBSITES AND SERVICES (INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, DELAYS, BREAKDOWNS, OR INTERRUPTIONS DUE TO PROBLEMS WITH THE INTERNET, PHONE LINES OR MODEMS, ACTS OF GOD, FAILURE OF A TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICE PROVIDER TO PROVIDE SERVICE, OR THEFT OR UNAUTHORIZED ACCESS TO THE WEBSITES AND SERVICES).  IF, NOTWITHSTANDING THE FOREGOING, LAWGOAT IS DETERMINED TO BE LIABLE FOR DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO YOUR USE OF THE WEBSITES AND SERVICES, IN NO EVENT SHALL THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT OF SUCH DAMAGES EXCEED THE FEES ACTUALLY PAID BY YOU FOR THE APPLICABLE SERVICE(S) IN THE PRIOR TWELVE (12) MONTH PERIOD.  YOU AGREE THAT ANY CLAIM OR CAUSE OF ACTION ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO YOUR USE OF THE WEBSITES OR SERVICES MUST BE FILED WITHIN ONE (1) YEAR AFTER SUCH CLAIM OR CAUSE OF ACTION AROSE.  

16. Force Majeure.  You acknowledge and agree that the Websites and Services may be interrupted or unavailable due to events outside LawGoat’s control, including but not limited to work stoppages or other labor difficulties; inability to obtain necessary materials, components, or labor; wars; national emergencies; natural disasters; utility failures; third-party systems or network outages; governmental regulations; riots; adverse weather; pandemics; and other causes not within LawGoat’s control (collectively, “Force Majeure Events”).  LawGoat shall have no liability for such Force Majeure Events.  

17. Governing Law.  The laws of the State of Washington shall govern these Terms of Service, without reference to its choice of law rules.  

18. ARBITRATION. ANY AND ALL DISPUTES, CLAIMS, OR CONTROVERSIES ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THESE TERMS OF SERVICE, THE WEBSITES, AND/OR THE SERVICES THAT ARE NOT RESOLVED BY MUTUAL AGREEMENT SHALL BE SUBMITTED TO FINAL AND BINDING ARBITRATION BEFORE THE KING COUNTY, WASHINGTON OFFICE OF JAMS OR ITS SUCCESSOR (THE “ARBITRATOR”), OR AN ALTERNATE ARBITRATOR SELECTED BY LAWGOAT IF JAMS OR ITS SUCCESSOR IS NOT AVAILABLE, PURSUANT TO THE UNITED STATES ARBITRATION ACT, 9 U.S.C. SEC. 1 ET SEQ.  EITHER PARTY MAY COMMENCE THE ARBITRATION PROCESS BY FILING A WRITTEN DEMAND FOR ARBITRATION WITH THE ARBITRATOR, WITH A COPY TO THE OTHER PARTY.  THE ARBITRATION WILL BE CONDUCTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE ARBITRATOR’S COMPREHENSIVE ARBITRATION RULES AND PROCEDURES IN EFFECT AT THE TIME OF FILING OF THE DEMAND FOR ARBITRATION.  THE PARTIES WILL COOPERATE WITH THE ARBITRATOR AND WITH ONE ANOTHER IN SELECTING AN INDIVIDUAL FROM THE ARBITRATOR’S PANEL OF NEUTRALS, AND IN SCHEDULING THE ARBITRATION PROCEEDINGS.  THE ARBITRATOR’S RULING SHALL BE ENFORCEABLE IN ANY COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION.     NOTWITHSTANDING ANYTHING TO THE CONTRARY, LAWGOAT SHALL HAVE THE RIGHT TO COMMENCE AN ACTION FOR PRELIMINARY AND OTHER INJUNCTIVE RELIEF, AND TO SPECIFIC PERFORMANCE OF THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS HEREOF, IN A STATE OR FEDERAL COURT OF COMPETENT SUBJECT MATTER JURISDICTION LOCATED WITHIN KING COUNTY IN THE STATE OF WASHINGTON.  

19. Attorneys’ Fees.  If LawGoat brings any action to enforce these Terms of Service, the prevailing party in such action shall be entitled to recover reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs incurred in connection with such action, whether in arbitration, pretrial, trial, appeal in any proceeding including bankruptcy, or in any action to enforce a judgment or award.  

20. Notices.  You agree that LawGoat may communicate any notices to you, including notices of changes to these Terms of Service, through e-mail, regular mail, or by posting of those notices on the Websites or through the Services.

21. No Waiver; Severability.  Any failure by LawGoat to exercise any rights or enforce any of the provisions of these Terms of Service shall not constitute a waiver of such rights or provisions.  If any portion of these Terms of Service is found by an arbitrator or a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, such arbitrator or court is hereby authorized to amend such provision so that it will be enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law.  All other provisions of these Terms of Service shall remain in full force and effect.  

22. Privacy Policy.  In addition to these Terms of Service, access and use of the Websites and Services are subject to LawGoat’s Privacy Policy available at www.lawgoat.com.  

23. Changes to Terms of Service.  LawGoat reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to change, modify, add, or remove any portion of these Terms of Service, in whole or in part, at any time.  Notification of changes to these Terms of Service will be communicated as provided in Section 20 above.  Amendments to these Terms of Service will be effective upon notice.  Your continued access and use of the Websites and Services following notice of any amendment shall constitute your acceptance thereof.  

24. Contact Information.  If you would like to contact us with questions or comments concerning our Terms of Service, please e-mail us at support@lawgoat.com.