LegalPixel Lawyer Terms & Conditions

DRAFT - REQUIRES LEGAL COUNSEL REVIEW BEFORE USE

Effective Date: [EFFECTIVE_DATE] Last Updated: [LAST_UPDATED_DATE]

Important Notice

These Lawyer Terms & Conditions ("Lawyer Terms") govern your participation in the LegalPixel marketplace as a legal service provider. By creating a lawyer profile or accepting cases through LegalPixel, you agree to these terms in addition to our general Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Please read these terms carefully. They contain important provisions including a 10% commission agreement and mandatory professional conduct standards.

1. Eligibility & Professional Requirements

1.1 Bar Admission

To participate as a lawyer on LegalPixel, you must:

Hold an active license to practice law in at least one jurisdiction where you offer services
Be in good standing with all bar associations to which you belong
Have no current disciplinary actions or suspensions
Maintain professional liability insurance (minimum $1 million per occurrence)

1.2 Verification Process

Before activating your profile, you must provide:

Bar admission number(s) and jurisdiction(s)
Proof of current bar membership (screenshot from state bar website)
Professional liability insurance certificate
Government-issued photo ID
Business address and contact information

LegalPixel reserves the right to verify all information through:

State bar lookup services
Third-party verification services
Background checks (for certain jurisdictions)

Timeline: Verification typically takes 2-4 business days. You will be notified by email when your profile is approved.

2. Lawyer Profile & Marketing

2.1 Profile Information

Your lawyer profile must include:

Professional Information: Name, bar numbers, jurisdictions, practice areas, years of experience
Bio: Professional background (max 500 words)
Education: Law school, degrees, year of graduation
Services Offered: Types of cases accepted, fee structure, languages spoken
Availability: Response time expectations, case load capacity

2.2 Accuracy Requirement

You warrant that all information in your profile is:

Accurate: No false or misleading statements
Current: Updated within 30 days of any changes
Compliant: Meets your jurisdiction's bar advertising rules (ABA Model Rule 7.1-7.5)

2.3 Prohibited Marketing

Your profile may NOT include:

Guarantees of case outcomes ("we win 95% of cases")
Comparisons to other lawyers ("best lawyer in [city]")
Client testimonials that violate bar rules
Misleading credentials or specializations not certified by your bar
Contact information designed to circumvent LegalPixel's platform (personal email, phone on initial contact)

Penalty: Profiles violating these rules may be suspended or removed without refund.

3. Case Assignment & Review Process

3.1 How Case Matching Works

When a client uploads a case:

AI Analysis: LegalPixel's AI extracts key facts (parties, case type, jurisdiction, urgency)
Lawyer Matching: 3-5 lawyers are matched based on:
- Practice area (family law, immigration, criminal, etc.)
- Jurisdiction (licensed in client's location)
- Case type experience (custody, divorce, contempt, etc.)
- Availability and case load
Case Notification: Matched lawyers receive email + in-app notification with:
- Executive summary (AI-generated 2-page case brief)
- Client contact information
- Estimated case value
- 48-hour response deadline

3.2 Response Requirements

When you receive a case assignment, you must respond within 48 hours with one of:

Accept: "I want to represent this client" (includes preliminary consultation offer)
Decline: "Not a good fit" (provide brief reason: outside practice area, conflict of interest, case load)
Request More Info: "Need clarification before deciding" (ask client follow-up questions)

Late Response Policy:

1st late response: Warning
2nd late response: Profile marked "slow responder" (lower matching priority)
3rd late response: Temporary suspension (7 days)
4th late response: Profile removal

3.3 Case Acceptance

When you accept a case:

Client receives notification with your profile and contact info
You receive client's full contact details (phone, email)
Client has 7 days to decide whether to hire you
If hired, you receive case files and consultation scheduling link
If not hired, no commission is owed

No Obligation: Accepting a case does NOT form an attorney-client relationship until the client signs your engagement letter and pays your retainer.

4. Commission Agreement

4.1 Commission Structure

When a client hires you through LegalPixel, you agree to pay:

10% commission on the first payment received from the client (retainer, flat fee, or first month of subscription)
Commission is calculated on the gross amount (before taxes)
Example: Client pays $5,000 retainer → Commission = $500

4.2 Payment Types Covered

Commissions apply to:

✅ Retainers (initial deposit)
✅ Flat fees (one-time case fee)
✅ Subscription fees (first month only)
✅ Settlement shares (if you charge % of settlement)

Commissions do NOT apply to:

❌ Subsequent payments from the same client (only first payment)
❌ Referrals from existing clients (clients you already represented before LegalPixel)
❌ Out-of-pocket costs (court fees, filing fees, expert witness fees)

4.3 Commission Payment Process

Automatic via Stripe Connect:

Client pays you via LegalPixel's integrated Stripe payment system
Commission (10%) is automatically deducted
Remaining 90% is deposited to your bank account within 2-7 business days (Stripe's standard payout schedule)

Manual Payment (if client pays outside platform):

You receive invoice from LegalPixel within 7 days of case acceptance
Payment due within 14 days via:
- ACH transfer (preferred)
- Credit card (3% processing fee applies)
- Wire transfer (for international lawyers)
Late payment: 1.5% monthly interest + suspension until paid

4.4 Commission Disclosure to Clients

IMPORTANT: You must disclose the commission arrangement to clients per bar rules (ABA Model Rule 1.5(e)):

Suggested Disclosure (include in engagement letter):

"I was introduced to you through LegalPixel, a lawyer matching platform. As part of this arrangement, I pay LegalPixel a 10% referral fee on the initial retainer you pay me. This fee is paid by me and does not increase your costs."

Failure to disclose: May violate your bar's fee-splitting or disclosure rules. LegalPixel is not responsible for your compliance with local bar rules.

4.5 Refund Policy (Commission Non-Refundable)

If you refund a client for any reason:

Full refund within 7 days: Commission is refunded to you
Partial refund or after 7 days: Commission is non-refundable (services were rendered)
Client disputes commission: You are responsible for resolving with client (LegalPixel not a party to your attorney-client relationship)

5. Data Access & Confidentiality

5.1 Case File Access

When assigned a case, you receive access to:

AI-generated case summary (executive summary, timeline, evidence, parties)
Raw documents uploaded by client (WhatsApp exports, PDFs, images, court orders)
Client questionnaire responses (intake form)
Chat history (Q&A between client and AI chatbot)

Access Duration:

Pre-Acceptance: View-only access for 48 hours (evaluation period)
Post-Acceptance: Full access until case is closed or you withdraw
Post-Closure: Read-only access for 7 years (legal compliance) unless client requests deletion

5.2 Confidentiality Obligations

You agree to:

Treat all case data as confidential (covered by attorney-client privilege if client hires you)
Not disclose case details to third parties except as required for representation
Not use case data for marketing, research, or AI training without client consent
Secure storage (encrypt local copies, do not store on public cloud without encryption)

Penalty for Breach: Immediate removal from platform + client may pursue bar complaint or civil lawsuit.

5.3 LegalPixel's Data Use

LegalPixel may use de-identified, aggregated data (no client names or case details) for:

Platform improvement (training AI models, matching algorithms)
Legal research (anonymized case studies, trend analysis)
Marketing (industry reports, white papers)

You acknowledge and consent to this use per our Privacy Policy.

6. Professional Conduct Standards

6.1 Bar Rules Compliance

You agree to:

Comply with all applicable bar rules in your jurisdiction(s) (ABA Model Rules or state-specific)
Maintain competence in the practice areas you list (Rule 1.1)
Provide diligent representation (Rule 1.3)
Communicate promptly with clients (Rule 1.4)
Avoid conflicts of interest (Rules 1.7-1.9)
Maintain client confidentiality (Rule 1.6)
Charge reasonable fees (Rule 1.5)

6.2 Client Communication Standards

When interacting with clients through LegalPixel:

Respond within 24-48 hours to client messages (business days)
Provide status updates at least every 14 days for active cases
Be professional (no abusive, discriminatory, or harassing language)
Set realistic expectations (do not promise outcomes)
Explain legal concepts clearly (avoid unnecessary jargon)

6.3 Quality Standards

LegalPixel expects:

Thorough case review before acceptance (do not accept cases you cannot handle)
Timely filing of all court documents (meet all deadlines)
Competent representation (if you lack expertise, co-counsel or refer out)
Professional work product (briefs, motions, letters meet professional standards)

Quality Assurance: LegalPixel may request client feedback, review case outcomes, and monitor client satisfaction ratings.

7. Ratings & Reviews

7.1 Client Reviews

After case conclusion, clients may rate your services:

5-star rating (1-5 stars for professionalism, communication, results)
Written review (optional, up to 500 words)
Response from you (optional, you may respond to reviews)

7.2 Review Display

Reviews are displayed on your profile:

Average rating calculated from all reviews
Total cases completed via LegalPixel
Response rate (% of cases responded to within 48 hours)
Acceptance rate (% of cases accepted vs declined)

7.3 Negative Review Policy

If you receive a negative review (1-2 stars):

Respond professionally (acknowledge concern, explain your side, offer resolution)
Do not retaliate (do not threaten client, file frivolous bar complaints, or demand review removal)
Request review if review violates policy (false statements, profanity, HIPAA violations)

LegalPixel will remove reviews that:

Contain false statements of fact (provable lies)
Violate client confidentiality (disclose privileged information)
Contain profanity, threats, or hate speech
Are posted by fake accounts (not actual clients)

LegalPixel will NOT remove reviews that:

Express negative opinions ("lawyer was not helpful")
Describe poor outcomes ("we lost the case")
Criticize your fees ("too expensive")

7.4 Consequences of Low Ratings

If your average rating falls below 3.5 stars:

First occurrence: Warning + quality improvement plan
Second occurrence: Temporary suspension (30 days) + mandatory additional training
Third occurrence: Profile removal from platform

8. Removal & Suspension Policy

8.1 Immediate Removal (No Warning)

Your profile will be immediately removed for:

Bar discipline (suspension, disbarment, public reprimand)
Criminal conviction (felony or crime of moral turpitude)
Client harm (malpractice causing significant harm, fraud, theft)
Ethics violations (conflicts of interest, fee disputes, client abandonment)
Platform abuse (circumventing commission, fake reviews, harassment)

8.2 Suspension (Temporary)

Your profile may be suspended (7-30 days) for:

Late responses (3+ cases with no response within 48 hours)
Low ratings (average below 3.5 stars)
Client complaints (3+ substantiated complaints)
Non-payment (commission invoice overdue by 30+ days)

During Suspension:

No new case assignments
Existing cases continue (you must fulfill obligations)
Profile hidden from search results
Reinstatement after corrective action + review

8.3 Voluntary Withdrawal

You may close your account at any time:

Settings → Account → Close Account
Notice period: 30 days (to complete active cases)
Outstanding commissions: Must be paid before closure
Data retention: Profile data retained 7 years (legal compliance)

9. Prohibited Conduct

You may NOT:

Circumvent platform: Contact clients outside LegalPixel before hiring (to avoid commission)
Misrepresent credentials: False bar numbers, fake degrees, inflated experience
Solicit reviews: Offer discounts, incentives, or pressure clients for positive reviews
Poach clients: Solicit LegalPixel clients to leave platform and hire you directly (before case conclusion)
Discriminate: Reject cases based on race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, disability (per bar rules)
Harass or threaten: Abusive language, intimidation, retaliation against clients or LegalPixel staff

Penalty: Immediate removal + potential legal action.

10. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify and hold harmless LegalPixel, its affiliates, and employees from:

Malpractice claims: Any legal malpractice or professional negligence claims arising from your representation
Bar complaints: Disciplinary actions or ethics complaints related to cases received through LegalPixel
Client disputes: Fee disputes, refund demands, or contractual breaches with clients
Third-party claims: Claims by opposing parties, courts, or other lawyers arising from your conduct

Example: If a client sues you for malpractice and includes LegalPixel as a defendant, you agree to cover LegalPixel's defense costs and any judgment.

11. Limitation of Liability

11.1 LegalPixel's Liability to Lawyers

LegalPixel's total liability to you for any claim arising from these Lawyer Terms is limited to:

Greater of: (a) $1,000 or (b) commission fees paid by you in the prior 12 months

11.2 No Warranty on Case Quality

LegalPixel makes no representations or warranties about:

Case quality: Cases may be weak, frivolous, or have poor facts
Client ability to pay: Clients may default on payment or be unable to afford fees
Case outcomes: You may lose cases, clients may be unsatisfied, bar complaints may occur
Platform uptime: Service interruptions may occur (scheduled maintenance, outages)

YOU ACCEPT CASES AT YOUR OWN RISK.

12. Tax Reporting

12.1 1099 Reporting (US Lawyers)

If you are a US-based lawyer and receive $600+ in commissionable payments per year:

LegalPixel will issue IRS Form 1099-NEC (Nonemployee Compensation) by January 31
You must provide a completed W-9 form (Taxpayer Identification Number) upon signup
Failure to provide W-9 may result in 24% backup withholding per IRS rules

12.2 International Lawyers

If you are not a US taxpayer:

Provide completed W-8BEN form (Certificate of Foreign Status)
No 1099 issued, but payments are reported to your local tax authority per applicable tax treaties
You are responsible for reporting income and paying taxes in your jurisdiction

12.3 Independent Contractor Status

You are an independent contractor, NOT an employee of LegalPixel. You:

Determine your own fees and work schedule
Maintain your own malpractice insurance
Are responsible for your own taxes (income tax, self-employment tax, etc.)
Receive no employee benefits (health insurance, retirement, paid leave)

13. Governing Law & Dispute Resolution

13.1 Governing Law

These Lawyer Terms are governed by the laws of [STATE/JURISDICTION] (e.g., Delaware, California), without regard to conflict of law principles.

13.2 Arbitration

Any dispute between you and LegalPixel (commission disputes, suspension appeals, contract breaches) shall be resolved by binding arbitration per Section 10 of our general Terms of Service.

Exception: You may opt out of arbitration within 30 days of signup per Section 10.4 of the Terms of Service.

13.3 Attorneys' Fees

In any dispute, the prevailing party shall be entitled to recover reasonable attorneys' fees and costs.

14. Changes to These Lawyer Terms

LegalPixel may update these Lawyer Terms at any time. Changes will be effective:

Material changes: 30 days after email notification
Non-material changes: Immediately upon posting

Continued use of the platform after changes constitutes acceptance. If you do not agree to changes, you may close your account (see Section 8.3).

15. Contact Us

For questions about these Lawyer Terms:

Email: [LAWYER_SUPPORT_EMAIL] (e.g., lawyers@legalpixel.com) Phone: [LAWYER_SUPPORT_PHONE] Mailing Address: [COMPANY_NAME] [COMPANY_ADDRESS]

Acknowledgment & Acceptance

By creating a lawyer profile on LegalPixel, you acknowledge that:

You have read and understood these Lawyer Terms
You agree to pay a 10% commission on cases hired through the platform
You will comply with all applicable bar rules and professional conduct standards
You will maintain confidentiality of all case data
You understand the removal policy and quality standards
You are an independent contractor, not an employee

If you do not agree to these terms, do not create a lawyer profile.