Applies to: Clients, prospective clients, and subscribers interacting with serfsUp through SMS, WhatsApp, and email (collectively, "Written Channels").
1. Who We Are; How This Policy Evolves
Platform Company (current and ongoing)
serfsUp (together with its affiliates, "Platform") is a technology company that facilitates access to legal services and provides automated workflows and client communications. The Platform itself does not provide legal advice or legal services and does not establish an attorney-client relationship.
Partner Attorneys (current model)
In California, New York, and Texas, legal services are provided by independent partner attorneys and/or their law firms ("Partner Attorneys"). Partner Attorneys are solely responsible for legal work, professional judgment, conflicts checks, and ethical compliance in matters they accept.
ABS Law Firm (future model)
serfsUp is pursuing authorization in Arizona as an Alternative Business Structure (ABS). Upon licensure, legal services in permitted jurisdictions may be provided through serfsUp Law, an Arizona-authorized ABS (or similarly named affiliated law firm) ("ABS Law Firm"). The ABS Law Firm may, where allowed, share fees with nonlawyer owners and fee share with local counsel in other states, subject to applicable rules and disclosures.
Jurisdictional availability
Our Jurisdictional Schedule (Appendix A) lists where each service is available and who provides it (Partner Attorneys vs. ABS Law Firm vs. technology-only tools). That schedule will be updated as we expand nationwide or as local rules change.
2. Definitions
- Prospective Client:
- A person who consults with a lawyer about possible representation. Even if no representation ensues, lawyers owe confidentiality and conflicts-related duties to prospective clients.
- Client:
- A person or entity that has (i) passed a conflicts check and (ii) executed a signed engagement agreement with a Partner Attorney or the ABS Law Firm and (iii) satisfied any initial payment/retainer requirements.
- Flat-Fee Service:
- A task priced at a fixed amount; typically delivered under Limited-Scope Representation.
- Hourly Service:
- Work billed by time under a Full-Scope Representation (unless expressly limited).
- Subscription:
- An annual plan offering credits usable toward Flat-Fee Services and Hourly Services as stated in your plan.
3. No Attorney-Client Relationship from Intake or Q&A
- Intake conversations through Written Channels (including initial screening and eligibility checks) do not create an attorney-client relationship.
- The 24/7 simple legal Q&A feature is legal information only, not legal advice, and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Do not share confidential details until you are formally engaged.
- An attorney-client relationship is formed only when you receive a countersigned engagement agreement from a Partner Attorney or the ABS Law Firm and any stated preconditions are met (e.g., retainer cleared, KYC/AML checks completed).
- Time-sensitive matters: Until engaged, you are responsible for all deadlines and statutes of limitation. If you have an emergency or imminent deadline, you must seek immediate assistance from a qualified attorney.
4. Representation Models and How They Are Triggered
A. Limited-Scope (Flat Fee)
For listed Flat-Fee Services, you will sign a Limited-Scope Representation Agreement with the specific Partner Attorney (pre-ABS) or ABS Law Firm attorney (post-ABS). Limited scope is permitted where reasonable with your informed consent; the agreement will specify exactly what is in and out of scope.
B. Full-Scope (Hourly)
For Hourly Services, you will sign a Full-Scope Representation Agreement with the Partner Attorney (pre-ABS) or ABS Law Firm (post-ABS). The agreement will identify rates, staffing, billing increments, and how costs/expenses are handled.
C. Who You Are Engaging
- Pre-ABS: Your contract is with the Partner Attorney (or their firm).
- Post-ABS (as jurisdictions allow): Your contract may be with the ABS Law Firm. That firm may associate local counsel in your state as needed and may fee share where permitted, with your informed consent and any required disclosures.
5. Communications: Written Channels Only
We communicate via SMS, WhatsApp, and email. You consent to receive messages on these channels, understand message/data rates may apply, and can opt out of SMS at any time by replying "STOP" (or similar reasonable method).
Security
While we take reasonable steps to protect communications, standard SMS and email are not end-to-end secure. Do not transmit highly sensitive data unless we provide a secure method.
Records
We retain message logs consistent with our retention policy (Section 12). Avoid using disappearing messages; if activated, we may independently capture and store communications for your file.
6. Conflicts Checks; Identity; Onboarding
Before any engagement, the responsible attorney conducts a conflicts check and may require identity verification and screening (e.g., sanctions, AML, fraud).
If a conflict arises, we may decline or withdraw consistent with applicable rules. We may refer you to alternate counsel or a bar referral service where appropriate.
7. Fees, Billing, Subscriptions & Credits
A. Flat-Fee Services
You will see a posted fixed price for each eligible task.
- Compensation model (current): serfsUp pays the Partner Attorney their hourly rate for the time required to complete your flat-fee task; the Platform bears the margin risk.
- Compensation model (post-ABS): For flat-fee matters handled by the ABS Law Firm, fees may be shared within the ABS structure consistent with licensing and state rules.
B. Hourly Services
- Pre-ABS: Hourly amounts are payable directly to the Partner Attorney (or their firm).
- Post-ABS: Hourly amounts may be billed by the ABS Law Firm, which may share fees internally and with local counsel as permitted.
C. Subscriptions & Credits
- Subscriptions provide annual credits usable toward Flat-Fee and Hourly Services as described in your plan.
- Unless your plan says otherwise: credits are non-transferable, not redeemable for cash, and expire at the end of your subscription term.
- A subscription does not itself create an attorney-client relationship. You must still execute the appropriate engagement letter for each matter.
D. Trust/IOLTA Handling; Earned/Unearned Amounts
Unearned fees and advanced costs will be deposited into a client trust account (IOLTA or equivalent) when and as required by the applicable jurisdiction and engagement letter.
For flat fees, whether any portion is earned on receipt will be expressly stated and will comply with governing ethics rules in the attorney's jurisdiction.
E. Refunds
Refunds, if any, will be handled pursuant to the terms of your engagement letter and applicable law (e.g., refund of unearned fees or unapplied advances).
8. Automation, AI, and Quality Controls
- serfsUp uses automation and AI-assisted tools to streamline intake, scheduling, document assembly, and communications.
- Legal deliverables are attorney-directed. An attorney determines scope, exercises professional judgment, and reviews work product delivered under an engagement.
- We may analyze anonymized or de-identified data to improve services. We will not sell your personal data. See our Privacy Notice for details.
9. Local Counsel; Multi-State Practice
Your matter will be handled by an attorney licensed where required for the task. If a filing, appearance, or legal advice requires local licensure in your state:
- Pre-ABS: A Partner Attorney licensed in your state will be engaged (or associated) for those tasks.
- Post-ABS: The ABS Law Firm may assign a lawyer licensed in your state, or associate local counsel (with your informed consent).
10. Your Responsibilities
- Provide accurate information and timely documents.
- Meet your own deadlines unless and until an attorney is engaged and has expressly assumed responsibility for them in writing.
- Communicate through Written Channels and keep your contact information current.
- Pay invoices and maintain subscription status as agreed.
11. Privilege and Confidentiality
- Communications with a lawyer in an engagement are generally protected by attorney-client privilege and confidentiality, subject to legal exceptions.
- Intake and Q&A: Do not share sensitive facts before engagement. Lawyers owe confidentiality duties to prospective clients (even without engagement) but privilege and conflicts protections can be narrower pre-engagement; avoid disclosing disqualifying details before a conflicts check.
12. File Retention and Access
- We maintain client files for a minimum retention period specified in your engagement letter (or by applicable rules), after which files may be securely destroyed.
- Upon written request, and subject to payment of outstanding balances and applicable law, you may obtain a copy of your file.
13. Advertising; No Guarantees
- Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome. No statement in our materials constitutes a guarantee, warranty, or prediction of results.
- Where required, lawyer advertising disclaimers and responsible attorney information will be displayed per state rules.
14. Complaints and Service Issues
- To raise a concern about Platform functionality, contact support@serfsup.com
- To raise a concern about legal services in an engagement, contact the responsible attorney identified in your engagement letter. You may also have the right to contact your state bar.
15. Dispute Resolution; Governing Terms
- Platform Terms of Use (separate document) govern your use of our technology (including any arbitration or forum selection for platform disputes).
- Engagement letters govern disputes related to legal services (including venue, arbitration, or fee arbitration, as applicable where required by law or rules of professional conduct).
16. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Policy to reflect changes in services, licensing (including ABS authorization), or applicable law. The Effective Date above will change when updates are posted. Material changes will be highlighted for active clients/subscribers.
Appendix A — Jurisdictional Schedule
As of November 12, 2025: Legal services available in California, New York, Texas through Partner Attorneys. Subscription plans and technology tools may be available more broadly, but legal advice and attorney appearances are limited to states where a responsible attorney is licensed and engaged.
Legend
- L = Legal services available (engagement required)
- T = Technology tools / legal information only (no legal advice)
- ABS-L = Legal services via ABS Law Firm (post-licensure)
- LC = Local counsel association available (with disclosures)
| State | Current | Post-ABS (target) | Notes |
|---|
| AZ | T | ABS-L / LC | ABS headquarters; fee-sharing governed by ABS rules. |
| CA | L | ABS-L / LC | CA ethics and advertising rules apply. |
| NY | L | ABS-L / LC | NY limited-scope permitted with informed consent. |
| TX | L | ABS-L / LC | TX ethics rules apply. |
| Others | T | ABS-L / LC (as permitted) | Will roll out by state as licensing/associations are finalized. |
Appendix B — Engagement Matrix
| Interaction | Lawyer Engaged? | What You Sign | Who You Contract With | Typical Use |
|---|
| Intake chat | No | None | Platform only | Eligibility, scoping, pricing |
| 24/7 legal Q&A | No | None | Platform only | General legal info; not fact-specific advice |
| Flat-Fee Limited-Scope | Yes | Limited-Scope Agreement | Partner Attorney (pre-ABS) / ABS Law Firm (post-ABS) | Discrete tasks (drafting, reviews, filings) |
| Hourly Full-Scope | Yes | Full-Scope Agreement | Partner Attorney (pre-ABS) / ABS Law Firm (post-ABS) | Ongoing matters, negotiations, litigation |
| Subscription | Not by itself | Subscription Terms | Platform | Budgeting tool; credits usable once engagement formed |
Appendix C — SMS/WhatsApp/Email Terms
By providing your number/email, you consent to receive transactional and service-related messages. Marketing messages are sent only with the required level of consent. You may revoke consent in a reasonable manner (e.g., reply STOP to SMS), and we will honor revocations promptly as required by FCC rules.
Message and data rates may apply. Frequency varies. Support: HELP or support@serfsup.com
Appendix D — Key Ethics References
- Prospective client duties (confidentiality/conflicts, even without engagement): ABA Model Rule 1.18
- Limited-scope representation with informed consent: ABA Model Rule 1.2(c) (and state analogs)
- Safekeeping property / trust accounting: ABA Model Rule 1.15 (and state analogs)
- Fee-sharing & nonlawyer ownership limits (traditional): ABA Model Rule 5.4; Arizona's licensed ABS framework modifies this for ABS entities