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
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.
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.
- Our 24/7 Q&A feature uses AI technology to provide general legal information. This feature has significant limitations: AI may provide inaccurate, incomplete, or outdated information; AI cannot assess the specific facts of your situation; AI cannot provide strategic legal advice; and AI outputs should not be relied upon for legal decision-making. The Q&A feature is designed for preliminary informational purposes only. For matters requiring legal advice, you must engage an attorney through a formal engagement agreement.
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. Trust account handling complies with applicable rules of professional conduct in the jurisdiction where the responsible attorney or law firm maintains the account. Clients will receive periodic accountings as required by engagement letter and applicable rules. In the ABS model, trust account management remains subject to attorney supervision and may not be delegated to nonlawyer owners. Any disputes regarding trust account handling are subject to professional disciplinary rules and may not be arbitrable to the extent prohibited by professional conduct rules.
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. AI tools are subject to inherent limitations including the potential for errors, omissions, outdated information, and generation of plausible-sounding but incorrect content ('hallucinations'). All AI-assisted work is supervised and reviewed by licensed attorneys before delivery to clients.
- Legal deliverables are attorney-directed and attorney-supervised. An attorney determines scope, exercises professional judgment, and reviews all work product delivered under an engagement. AI-generated content is used only as a drafting and research aid; attorneys retain full professional responsibility for all legal advice and work product. Clients acknowledge that while AI assists attorneys in providing efficient service, AI outputs may contain errors that human review is designed to catch but may not eliminate entirely. Clients should review all deliverables and promptly notify their attorney of any concerns or apparent errors.
- We may analyze anonymized or de-identified data to improve services. We will not sell your personal data. See our Privacy Notice for details.
- AI systems process client information only as necessary to provide requested services and under attorney supervision. We configure AI subprocessors to prohibit training on client data and to implement zero retention policies. However, we cannot guarantee absolute compliance by third-party AI vendors with contractual terms. In the event of AI vendor non-compliance or a data incident involving AI systems, we will notify affected clients as required by law and professional rules and will take reasonable steps to mitigate harm. Clients may object to AI processing of their matter; we will accommodate reasonable objections where feasible, though this may affect service delivery timelines or costs.
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.
- Client communications and documents processed through AI systems remain subject to attorney-client privilege and work product protections to the same extent as information processed through other technological means. However, transmission of privileged information through AI subprocessors involves third-party processing. While we contractually prohibit AI vendors from retaining or using client data, inadvertent disclosure or technical failures could potentially waive privilege. Clients consent to AI processing of privileged communications as part of modern law practice, with the understanding that attorneys will use reasonable care to protect privileged information in AI-assisted workflows.
- Clients should not share attorney-client privileged communications through the 24/7 Q&A feature or during intake before an attorney-client relationship is established. While we treat pre-engagement communications as confidential consistent with prospective client duties, privilege protections are strongest after formal engagement.
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.
- File retention includes AI-generated work product, AI interaction logs showing queries and responses related to the client's matter, and records of attorney review and approval of AI outputs. These records may be relevant to demonstrating attorney supervision and professional responsibility. Clients may request access to AI-related records in their file subject to the same terms as other file materials.
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 13, 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